We put down my dog, Zeb (aka “The Doodle”), four weeks ago. He came along 12 years ago when my wife was pregnant with our first and only child, right after we moved into our first home bought together, and right after I finished my masters degree to become a therapist. When we got him he still had the staples the surgeon used to close the wound after amputating a front leg. He was four months old and had been hit by a car. My daughter started 6th grade last week. I own my own practice. He was with us every step of the way. And now he’s gone. All he ever wanted was to love us and be loved by us. The pain is still sharp, a longing that is hard to bear and hard to describe. I’ve had over 20 cats and six other dogs, and I’ve felt the pain of loss many times, but nothing like this. Thank you for this, Andrew. I see so much of my experience in yours. That helps.
“Grief, I’ve learned, is really just love. It’s all the love you want to give, but cannot. All that unspent love gathers up in the corners of your eyes, the lump in your throat, and in that hollow part of your chest. Grief is just love with no place to go.” — Jamie Anderson
Or maybe just love that can't go where you want it to.
Most of us know this pain very well. The complete and total breakdown after a tragic loss.
I tell myself the angels came to get him. It was not my choice, it was theirs.
I have had so many losses of family friends, pets.
When my mom died, I was ready to let her go. I spent days with her in bed talking about flowers and gardens.
Then my dear sweet adorable kittyboy Pierro died at age 8 from a medical error, over drugged. Oh I do not even want to think about it now, but shortly after, we had mom's memorial service and I sobbed bitterly and could not contribute to the service in any capacity. Crippled with shock and sadness.
Not of the loss of my mother, but the loss of Pierro.
Grief is a heavy subject. I have endured a lot of it.
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and sufferings. It is good to get it out and share, really. We are all humans, we have our weaknesses, and I did love every animal I owned and also many of friends too. It is the sucky part of life. I am in constant prayer for courage and acceptance.
What she said. I've lost several kitties but the sorrow from Chloe two years ago is not subsiding much. She was 17. I still have Persephone but she's 14 so I'm keeping an eye on her.
“That’s exactly the point. We don’t get more than one life. We get a single set of days and minutes to spend with our dads and loved ones. Those minutes are limited — and each one’s premium rises as we age.” More on TGM: https://shorturl.at/dHt9n
We put down my dog, Zeb (aka “The Doodle”), four weeks ago. He came along 12 years ago when my wife was pregnant with our first and only child, right after we moved into our first home bought together, and right after I finished my masters degree to become a therapist. When we got him he still had the staples the surgeon used to close the wound after amputating a front leg. He was four months old and had been hit by a car. My daughter started 6th grade last week. I own my own practice. He was with us every step of the way. And now he’s gone. All he ever wanted was to love us and be loved by us. The pain is still sharp, a longing that is hard to bear and hard to describe. I’ve had over 20 cats and six other dogs, and I’ve felt the pain of loss many times, but nothing like this. Thank you for this, Andrew. I see so much of my experience in yours. That helps.
I'm glad it does.
Writing this helped tremendously.
https://youtu.be/kR1Fvbd5Zak?si=u-ztuNdCEfJcaGRo
My friend Baxter Black say it best. I miss him.
“Grief, I’ve learned, is really just love. It’s all the love you want to give, but cannot. All that unspent love gathers up in the corners of your eyes, the lump in your throat, and in that hollow part of your chest. Grief is just love with no place to go.” — Jamie Anderson
Or maybe just love that can't go where you want it to.
Most of us know this pain very well. The complete and total breakdown after a tragic loss.
I tell myself the angels came to get him. It was not my choice, it was theirs.
I have had so many losses of family friends, pets.
When my mom died, I was ready to let her go. I spent days with her in bed talking about flowers and gardens.
Then my dear sweet adorable kittyboy Pierro died at age 8 from a medical error, over drugged. Oh I do not even want to think about it now, but shortly after, we had mom's memorial service and I sobbed bitterly and could not contribute to the service in any capacity. Crippled with shock and sadness.
Not of the loss of my mother, but the loss of Pierro.
Grief is a heavy subject. I have endured a lot of it.
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and sufferings. It is good to get it out and share, really. We are all humans, we have our weaknesses, and I did love every animal I owned and also many of friends too. It is the sucky part of life. I am in constant prayer for courage and acceptance.
What she said. I've lost several kitties but the sorrow from Chloe two years ago is not subsiding much. She was 17. I still have Persephone but she's 14 so I'm keeping an eye on her.
66 this year, and many friends I hope to see waiting
There are more that need you. It's not a betrayal.
“That’s exactly the point. We don’t get more than one life. We get a single set of days and minutes to spend with our dads and loved ones. Those minutes are limited — and each one’s premium rises as we age.” More on TGM: https://shorturl.at/dHt9n