A little girl's struggle to cope...

[honeyprincess]

I really didn't want my first post to be about this, but I feel like I need others from this community more than ever right now... Several months ago I found out my elderly dog was very sick, we've done all we could afford to do for her and I held out hope that we might see an improvement, but this last week I've noticed a decline and these past few days have been particularly hard and I just don't know how much longer I'm going to have with her... I've tried to be strong and positive and I haven't gotten to be my little self at all through most of this, but now that it's getting closer I don't think I can really handle it. I've been trying to prepare but she's been my best friend for thirteen years and I have never had to deal with the loss of someone so close to me... maybe I'm being dramatic or silly or whatever but I've never actually felt this way before in my life. I've never been so scared. I don't know how I am going to face what I know is coming... Now I've been feeling more and more little with no way to express it and with feeling like that it's been a struggle for me to accept the fragility of life and the reality of death... I don't have anyone in my life who can speak to me and help prepare me for this in a way that will comfort my little self... So I was hoping that I could hear how other littles have coped with the loss of their beloved pet and if there is a Daddy out there who might know how to help me get through this too, I could really use all the support and advice I can get... thanks everyone~ Edited June 9, 2016 by honeyprincess

[SweetMarie]

You're not being dramatic or silly. This is a real loss you're facing, and it's okay that it hurts and is scary. It can be especially hard to lose a pet, I think, because of the unconditional love experienced. You're trying to be strong- and that's great- but realize that it is okay to grieve. Give yourself permission to do so. And you're doing the right thing by coming here for support. It doesn't matter what you write about- you want to know that someone is there when you reach out. You are using a good resource You will get through this. Just take each day as it comes, and offer a whole lot of love to your pet. For yourself, little activities might help. They might be soothing. But if not, if that's too difficult a place to go to right now (even for comfort), do other things for self care. Take a bath or a walk, watch or read something, cry if you need to, maybe write some more. Do what you enjoy and find comforting. Try to eat and sleep regularly. These things will help your dog too because she needs you at your best. So just act out of love. I think it will steer you well. So sorry you are going through such a sad, difficult time. *Hugz*

[Komorebi]

Spend all the time you have left with her, and when she passes don't hold back on your emotions. I still remember how hard it hit me when I lost my cat and best friend and I also regret not spending every last moment that I could with him. I don't think I slept more than a few hours over the next two weeks after he was gone. 

there is nothing silly or dramatic about being terrified of your dog and best friend dying, it is only natural and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. 

 

All I can tell you is that I understand and have been there, and that the people here are really nice and supportive. that and it is okay to cry.

[Guest DaddyMN]

When I was younger, quite a few family members and animals seemed to just keep dying off around me. It was rather traumatic but I found, in my tiny young mind, that focusing on the Lion King's 'circle of life' sayings made it much easier to get through it and accept the deaths.

Everything dies. But dying isn't always the end. Regardless of what you believe about what happens after death, you can bet that dog will be there waiting for you. So its not a goodbye, its an 'until next time'.

[Mystical Daddy]

You are not being dramatic or silly our pets aren't pets they are family, there is not really anything you can do to prepare for what is to come nor can you stop it. The only advice I can give is for you to give her all the time and love you can give her, this will do two things 1) she will love the attention and comfort you will provide 2) it will help when the time has past and you will know without a doubt that she got lots of love and pets and that she knew you loved her very much .

 

When the time does come it's ok to grieve don't hold back let it out, it's a process we all go through and we all do it differently. As time passes and you start to feel better you will remember the amazing times you had with your best friend and how you will forever have her in your heart.

 

I lost my 14 year old corgi last year his name was Logan and he was truly full of love, he loved the neighborhood kids and they loved him, at any given time if he was outside there was a good chance there were kids in the yard giving him pets and believe me he loved his pets lol. there will never be another one to replace him he was that special. Even now as I write this I still miss him and feel sad but I would never do anything different and I know he knew in his own way that he was truly loved. As of last week a new chapter has started with Gatsby a 11 week corgi joined our family and already the kids are back in the yard given giving him pets and praise, I look forward to the years of love to come from my little man.

 

I hope this has helped, if you have any questions please feel free to message me.

[Guest Daddyseeksgirl]

Treasure the times you have together. Weigh carefully the decision to hold her paws and comfort her as she goes or not... If you do, the cost might be letting that moments memory overshadow the fun awesome joyful ones. Don't be in a rush to replace her in hopes of filling the vacancy in your heart. It rarely goes well and isn't fair to the newcomer in your life. My thoughts are with you...

 

Ps: if it's her hips that are the problem, unflavored fish oil, shark cartilage and raw eggs in her food might extend her life. It bought my Akita an extra two years. For shark cartilage, order the powdered kind.

[MadameButterfly]

I had to put down my cat, that I had for 13 years in February. It was so hard and I cried for days and felt like it would never get better, and I still cry a little when I think about her a lot. She was my first pet that I've had since I was ten, so I know how difficult it feels to lose a pet that you loved for so long. Not long after I went and adopted a little kitten and she has definitely made me feel better. I still think of my cat, midnight, and how much I miss her, but the pain does get better and you have to think of all the happy times with her and be with her as much as you can now. I think people forget how much our pets can mean to us, they become a apart of our family and it hurts dreadfully when we lose them. I'll always miss love and miss my midnight, and now I have my new crazy kitten to love too. I hope you're doing okay and hanging in there through all of this and I'm sorry it's happening to you. *hugs*

[Mystical Daddy]

How are you doing?