I'm so sorry to hear that you're going through this. Those of us who love animals this way, and who want them near us throughout our lives, are destined to deal with this a few times, if not several. It never gets easier.
Your veterinarian will talk and walk you through it. It's so kind that you have a vet who will come to your home to do this. You are right, as hard as it is to let go of a beloved family member, it makes the wound even deeper when you have to drive them to the vet and put them through the stress of that last trip and those moments in the office. The fact that your pal can be at home in familiar surroundings with no stress is wonderful.
I think the deep grief over an animal is similar in intensity at first to the deep grief over a human loss. The difference is that the human loss goes on much longer and is much more profound. But at the beginning, they are both simply horrible. Yes, tears all the time. Yes, vulnerable feelings. And yes, a family's heart broken because they miss a loved one.
You're doing the right thing, Christine. I know you know that, but I wanted to say it anyway. Sometimes it helps to hear it.
Some people say "I could never do that to my dog." What I have found is that yes, there are a million minutes when you cannot imagine it, but then there is one minute where you see that they are so ill you cannot imagine NOT.
I am thinking of you and your family and your beloved Kona today. I am glad that there is another dog at home -- for me, burying my hands and tears in the fur of another dog I already love is always one of the most comforting things I can do. Don't be surprised if your other dog seems to be grieving in a way as well. They pick up on more than we understand.
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Christine,
I'm so sorry to hear that you're going through this. Those of us who love animals this way, and who want them near us throughout our lives, are destined to deal with this a few times, if not several. It never gets easier.
Your veterinarian will talk and walk you through it. It's so kind that you have a vet who will come to your home to do this. You are right, as hard as it is to let go of a beloved family member, it makes the wound even deeper when you have to drive them to the vet and put them through the stress of that last trip and those moments in the office. The fact that your pal can be at home in familiar surroundings with no stress is wonderful.
I think the deep grief over an animal is similar in intensity at first to the deep grief over a human loss. The difference is that the human loss goes on much longer and is much more profound. But at the beginning, they are both simply horrible. Yes, tears all the time. Yes, vulnerable feelings. And yes, a family's heart broken because they miss a loved one.
You're doing the right thing, Christine. I know you know that, but I wanted to say it anyway. Sometimes it helps to hear it.
Some people say "I could never do that to my dog." What I have found is that yes, there are a million minutes when you cannot imagine it, but then there is one minute where you see that they are so ill you cannot imagine NOT.
I am thinking of you and your family and your beloved Kona today. I am glad that there is another dog at home -- for me, burying my hands and tears in the fur of another dog I already love is always one of the most comforting things I can do. Don't be surprised if your other dog seems to be grieving in a way as well. They pick up on more than we understand.
November 10, 2009 - 9:16amThis Comment
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