OT Tips for dealing with the loss of a pet?

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bodyman5000 and 1 said:
Another tip I have...have multiple pets. My dogs are happier having someone to play with. The other benefit of multiple pets is the different personalities they have. My buddy greets me like this every morning. View attachment 20422
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Dude..... I hate to break it to you but that's a Gremlin! You weren't supposed to feed it after midnight!!!!

81B5CQJ-srL._SY450_.jpg
 
It's amazing, but we value pet lives as much or more than we value humans because they bring back memories and emotions.

I seriously can't even watch movies that have a dog that dies in the end. I'll see a trailer for a dog movie like Marley and Me and I'm like "Nope."

People get pissed when someone hurts the pet in the movies. All the human characters in a movie could die, but if the dog goes, people are like "kill them all!!!!"

I wonder if it's because we look at pets and children in the same way. They are to be protected. We see innocence and unconditional love. If we hear about an animal abuser in the news, people will call in death threats. I remember when a video surface of that marine tossing a puppy off a cliff in Iraq... people hunted down his family and started calling in death threats. People take this shit very seriously.
 
Bud, I really feel for you. I lost my Boxer Boy a few days before Christmas. Still hard, but as time passes it does get easier. As others have pointed out, being blessed with more than one buddy a time helps.

When my old Boy passed, the little girl also felt the loss, but she stepped up to fill the void as best she could, even to the point of mimicking actions of my old guy.

Now a bit of time has passed and I am looking for another Boxer Boy to pal around with all of us. Like any relationship, it is never the same, but that does not mean that it wont still be a blessing.

Be well my friend, grieve as you need. Do not be afraid to care about another.
 
Natebishop3 said:
It's amazing, but we value pet lives as much or more than we value humans because they bring back memories and emotions.

I seriously can't even watch movies that have a dog that dies in the end. I'll see a trailer for a dog movie like Marley and Me and I'm like "Nope."

People get pissed when someone hurts the pet in the movies. All the human characters in a movie could die, but if the dog goes, people are like "kill them all!!!!"

I wonder if it's because we look at pets and children in the same way. They are to be protected. We see innocence and unconditional love. If we hear about an animal abuser in the news, people will call in death threats. I remember when a video surface of that marine tossing a puppy off a cliff in Iraq... people hunted down his family and started calling in death threats. People take this shit very seriously.
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I am legend SPOILER just in case....


I've seen I am Legend 3 times. The first two I literally cried when he had to kill his German Shepherd
 
bodyman5000 and 1 said:
I am legend SPOILER just in case....


I've seen I am Legend 3 times. The first two I literally cried when he had to kill his German Shepherd
Click to expand...

I don't think I could do it. If it was just me and my GSD left in the world..... and my GSD was infected.... that would be it. Time to pack it in.
 
Sorry to hear about your loss. Never gets easy. We have a 15 y/o dog whose body is starting to fail her. It is not fun at all.

And, as for what to do with the pet food, in the past, when we lost and dog and needed some time before we were ready for another, we donated it to the local humane society. Not sure if they still accept these kinds of donations, but in the past, it worked.
 
Lost many pets over the decades....my Husky Zeus was my best friend for years...smartest dog I've ever met....I hiked the Sierra mountains with him and he died in a bear trap while I was camping....broke my heart...when I retired from teaching my cat of 18 years died ....cougar got her...loved her....since have not had pets...I'm now ready to find a rescue dog......rescue a cat or dog and feel good about it...you may lose a pet but you can still save one as well...same cougar killed my neighbors cat right on their back deck...they walked into the massacre...sometimes it's better to not have been there when they die....I live a ways up the mountain from the transfer recycling center and people dump cats there on the creek all the time.....every cat I've had shows up on the creek in my back yard crying.....people can be cruel
 
riverman said:
Lost many pets over the decades....my Husky Zeus was my best friend for years...smartest dog I've ever met....I hiked the Sierra mountains with him and he died in a bear trap while I was camping....broke my heart...when I retired from teaching my cat of 18 years died ....cougar got her...loved her....since have not had pets...I'm now ready to find a rescue dog......rescue a cat or dog and feel good about it...you may lose a pet but you can still save one as well...same cougar killed my neighbors cat right on their back deck...they walked into the massacre...sometimes it's better to not have been there when they die....I live a ways up the mountain from the transfer recycling center and people dump cats there on the creek all the time.....every cat I've had shows up on the creek in my back yard crying.....people can be cruel
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Those are awful ways for a pet to die I'm sorry. I'm happy my lil dude was able to pass in peace.

I don't understand people.. here's ssomething that would love you unconditionally if you let it, and you're gonna leave it to die. That angers me..
 
DaLincolnJones said:
Bud, I really feel for you. I lost my Boxer Boy a few days before Christmas. Still hard, but as time passes it does get easier. As others have pointed out, being blessed with more than one buddy a time helps.

When my old Boy passed, the little girl also felt the loss, but she stepped up to fill the void as best she could, even to the point of mimicking actions of my old guy.

Now a bit of time has passed and I am looking for another Boxer Boy to pal around with all of us. Like any relationship, it is never the same, but that does not mean that it wont still be a blessing.

Be well my friend, grieve as you need. Do not be afraid to care about another.
Click to expand...
Right before Christmas? Damn. That'd be tough man I'm sorry to hear that. Its amazing what other pets will do for you in times like that though. When my cats brother died, her went from being outdoors often to constantly being by my sister's side, as she was the most distraught. They definitely know what's going on and the way they try to help their humans through it is amazing. Thank you.
 
CupWizier said:
If you haven't had a dog, then I suggest you get a dog as I have had both over the several years of my life and dogs are great companions and fun to take to the beach, the river or the park. If size is an issue then get a small dog. At one time we had 4 with a Miniature Schnauzer (who I mentioned above), a chihuahua (who is now with my daughter) and a Pomeranian/Chihuahua mix and a Shorkie (a mix of Yorkie and ShiTzu). All are small lap dogs and great companions. Best suggestion is to look for a rescue dog as they can be great pets. My son and girlfriend recently adopted a rescue Lab and he is an amazing dog and adapted well to my 3 year old grandson. I like all pets, but dogs are special in my mind as cats tend to be a lot more independent

.View attachment 20423
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I have to wait until I graduate college and move out. My mom is extremely allergic to dogs. I'll probably always be a cat person as I like their independence, but I'd love a lap dog. I'd definitely look into a rescue dog. Thanks man.
 
BonesJones said:
or even just talk with me as that could help me get through this.
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When I move to Bandon, The property was bare. I park a travel trailer there to live in while I was building a shop to get me going, so I could build the house.
I used the outside access storage compartment to keep the tools dry while building the shop. After a week or so I hear a bit of noise under the seat in the dinette.
Pulled the seat top up and there was a Cat with a litter of kits!

Well I let the Cat & Kits stay, I guess she found her way in through the tool access into the seat compartment. Got to feeling a little for the cat, she was a hansom young cat, so I put
a little food out for her, just under the trailer each day.

With time, I got the Shop up, and was sitting on a pile logs I had stack up to get ready to saw for House and boat in the plan. Here comes Cat with her litter of kits. She brought them up to play on the logs where I sat, while she move off to watch from a ways off. I guess she trusted me with her kits. We soon had the kits with homes and the cat stayed but she no longer needed anything from me, she did not even touch the stuff I put out for her.

When I put heat in the shop and move in myself, damn glad to get out of that damp little trailer. Soon after moving into the shop I was sitting in and old style rocking chair one evening, after working on the house. Thinking about how to do some task when Cat came by and dropped a mouse about a foot from my chair. Soon she came back with another and sat nearby while she eat it. Now, that impressed the hell out of me, that Cat would catch a mouse for me before she would stop and eat her own! I had never heard of such a thing!

Years went by, it took several but Cat would come when I sat outside, often bring me a mouse, and even sometimes spend some time on my lap. Never a pest though, would always hop right down when I moved to get up.

Finally, the house complete, and was working on the boat as time went by. One evening, I went to my chair outside and there was Cat by my chair with a fresh mouse laying there.
The mouse by my chair was Cat's last chore.
 
Last edited:
MarAzul said:
When I move to Bandon, The property was bare. I park a travel trailer there to live in while I was building a shop to get me going, so I could build the house.
I used the outside access storage compartment to keep the tools dry while building the shop. After a week or so I hear a bit of noise under the seat in the dinette.
Pulled the seat top up and there was a Cat with a litter of kits!

Well I let the Cat & Kits stay, I guess she found her way in through the tool access into the seat compartment. Got to feeling a little for the cat, she was a hansom young cat, so I put
a little food out for her, just under the trailer each day.

Well I got the Shop up, and was sitting on a pile logs I had stack up to get ready to saw for House and boat in the plan. Here comes Cat with her litter of kits. She brought them up to play on the logs where I sat, while she move off to watch from a ways off. I guess she trusted me with her kits. We soon had the kits with homes and the cat stayed but she no longer needed anything from me, she did not even touch the stuff I put out for her.

When I put heat in the shop and move in myself, damn glad to get out of that damp little trailer. Soon after moving into the shop I was sitting in and old style rocking chair one evening, after working on the house. Thinking about how to do some task when Cat came by and dropped a mouse about a foot from my chair. Soon she came back with another and sat nearby while she eat it. Now, that impressed the hell out of me, that Cat would catch a mouse for me before she would stop and eat her own! I had never heard of such a thing!

Years went by, it took several but Cat would come when I sat outside, often bring me a mouse, and even sometimes spend some time on my lap. Never a pest though, would always hop right down when I moved to get up.

Well I got the house done, and was working on the boat as time went by. One evening, I went to my chair outside and there was Cat by my chair with a fresh mouse laying there.
The mouse by my chair was her last chore.
Click to expand...



Very nice story, thank you for sharing.
 
I’m now old enough that I’ve had and lost two dogs (their lives barely intersecting). They were a part of me (and my family) and were always there through the ups and downs of life, helping carry me through the worst of times, including other losses. So, once you lose something like that, something that was so special and loved you unconditionally through that, it stings. I still get sad over the losses, but I have new dogs, now, and though they’ll never replace my other dogs, they’re part of my family now and have helped shape and make memories in this part of my life now, as well.

Sorry for your loss, BonesJones. It’s never easy, but I’ll bet (when you’re ready) you’ll find another animal that will be a big part of your life and not only soften the loss, but actually make you appreciate your cat even more.
 
Sorry about losing your pet cat! When your ready you'll find another companion.
I had to put my pug of eights years down because of cancer, but I feel it was the best gift I could give her (Lucy).
I now have two hell hound devil dogs (yorkies).
 
I put my dog of 16 years down a month ago. There are no tips to dealing with it you just get up every day and do what you normally do, each day gets better. Think of it as practice for when someone you care about passes, you got through this you will get through that.
 
My deepest sympathy on your loss of a dear friend. I can understand. My cats Rosalind and Celia lived very long lives (21 and 18 years respectively) but since then they've had terrible luck. My unique Orlando had a heart condition and died at 9, Sophie was killed by a raccoon and her sister Zoey had a very severe heart condition, seemed fine and literally dropped dead at 3. My kittens Cassidy and Sundance were born neurologically damaged and by 5 months I had to accept they were not viable. My feral Margot is pushing 13, amazing for a feral cat, but she will never be a companion, after all these years of feeding her, and her sleeping inside in bad weather, I can't get closer than maybe 5 feet. Fingers crossed for Lucia.

It's not "just a cat" and it's not like replacing a piece of furniture, damn, table broke, got to buy a new one. But as Cleveland Amory wrote in The Best Cat Ever, if your companion animal did not inspire you to eventually want to bring another companion into your life then he/she really did live in vain. Some day, soon or late, you will meet a cat who speaks to you. Not as a replacement because there is no such thing but as a new friend and companion. Because so many cats need homes. And so many people need love.
 
crandc said:
My deepest sympathy on your loss of a dear friend. I can understand. My cats Rosalind and Celia lived very long lives (21 and 18 years respectively) but since then they've had terrible luck. My unique Orlando had a heart condition and died at 9, Sophie was killed by a raccoon and her sister Zoey had a very severe heart condition, seemed fine and literally dropped dead at 3. My kittens Cassidy and Sundance were born neurologically damaged and by 5 months I had to accept they were not viable. My feral Margot is pushing 13, amazing for a feral cat, but she will never be a companion, after all these years of feeding her, and her sleeping inside in bad weather, I can't get closer than maybe 5 feet. Fingers crossed for Lucia.

It's not "just a cat" and it's not like replacing a piece of furniture, damn, table broke, got to buy a new one. But as Cleveland Amory wrote in The Best Cat Ever, if your companion animal did not inspire you to eventually want to bring another companion into your life then he/she really did live in vain. Some day, soon or late, you will meet a cat who speaks to you. Not as a replacement because there is no such thing but as a new friend and companion. Because so many cats need homes. And so many people need love.
Click to expand...
Cat's speak to me all the time.

Meow meow meow....(gimme food asshole)

Meow meow meow....(leave me alone asshole)

Meow meow meow....(I'd kill you in your sleep if I could, asshole)
 
BonesJones said:
So a couple days ago my cat of 13 years went missing, and today my mother found him under the porch, passed away. I had a feeling he was gone but the finalization of it still hit me like a ton of bricks. I'm 21 years old, so I've had my cat since I was 8. I know some may view him as "just a cat" but he was a part of every single day and was a big part of our family. He helped me get through some tough things growing up, as I got him shortly after my dad's severe brain injury and had to deal with my dad going from a great guy and soldier to trying to abuse me. That was extremely tough but I had my cat, who was possibly the friendliest cat every, would cuddle up to you at any chance, would walk around your feet brushing your legs, and was just always there for me.

I've never lost someone close to me, and I was too young when my dad had his accident to understand grief. So I don't believe I've ever actually felt grief before, and I have no idea how to handle it. My mother made a custom-made dish with his name on it, some pawprints and the saying "I'm not fat, I'm fluffy!", and every time I think of his fricken dish it brings me to tears... I'm a mess right now and I don't know how to deal with it. I feel like I can't even function right now..

I'm sure there's people on here that have lost people and loved ones that have gone through a much worse degree of grieving.. Is it weird for me to be this upset? I don't know, but I'm devastated. I just don't know how to handle the way I feel right now, so I was hoping there might be people here that could give me tips, advice, or even just talk with me as that could help me get through this. Thank you.

View attachment 20417
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I had a dog I was very attached to as a young boy. I grew up a bit like Tom Sawyer and that dog went everywhere with me. Shortly after we moved from a sparsely populated Oswego to Portland, he got sick and died. I must have cried for two months. Thought I'd never get over him. Still recall my memories of him with a great deal of fondness but I've had to move on. Moving on is what you eventually have to do with the death of any loved one, be it a pet, a family member or a close friend. Just don't neglect the grieving phase and then you can move on.
 
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