pet grief ?
Recently I had my almost 1 year old cat get out down, It’s been days and every time I catch myself thinking of him i’m balling my eyes out. It sounds stupid writing it out but for awhile he was special to me. He just got me through a lot in such a little amount of time, he pulled me out of a dark place. i’m a sensitive person and little things like that just make my life easier to live through. I can’t help but blame myself because I was always out of the house or at school, we don’t have very much money so we weren’t really able to get him to the vet to get his vaccines or anything. He ended up having too much fluid in his lungs that made it hard for him to breathe, an infection of some sort. The surgery was too much, so we were left the only other option. I don’t know what’s wrong with me, I miss seeing him everyday. everything is so empty and alone now. I want to rip my hair out and throw up it seems so unfair. I get made fun of for this though, but people don’t understand how much it hurts to watch something you love so much just die by your own hand. it’s a foul feeling. at least for my crybaby ***. I know it isn’t the most traumatic thing in the world, some would even laugh. but I can’t control how attached I get to things and how much feelings I feel. I just want to have happy memories. I look at one picture and my world crumbles apart. I don’t know how to feel better about it. It kills me everyday and I feel like i’ve tried everything.
@bubbleCherry4907
Hello, I’m so sorry that you are dealing with this. You are absolutely NOT alone, I know so many people who have really struggled from losing a pet. It’s really wonderful that we’re able to form such strong connections with animals. So it is natural to feel devastated when something bad happens to them. I think just like any other situation involving grief, it’s important to be patient and allow ourselves to feel whatever emotions we have. As painful as it is, healing from grief takes time. In the meantime we just try our best to cope the best we can.
I’m really sorry that you lost your pet. I hope things get better for you. Take care!
@bubbleCherry4907 - I am so sorry that you are going through this. I can empathize with you greatly because I have had to put a pet down before, so I know how hard it is. I had a German Shepherd that I purchased when she was just a puppy. Unfortunately, we found out when she was just 5 years old that she had "hemangiosarcoma," a cancer that grows rapidly. By the time she showed any symptoms, it was too late. They told us that there was nothing that they could do for her. The only option we had was to put her down. I remember I was so depressed that I couldn't stop crying. It got so bad that I couldn't even sleep. Thankfully, someone dear to me decided to take me to the local animal shelter to look at some dogs, and I found one. Her eyes reminded me of my late GSD's eyes, so I decided to adopt her. Everyone grieves and heals in different ways, and that's okay, but perhaps finding another pet to love could help? Of course, nothing could ever replace your friend, but I believe there's healing in opening your heart up to love again. Plus, pets are truly therapeutic.
I wish you the best of luck throughout this whole grieving process. Try to stay strong and keep your chin up. Blessings. <3
was it easier to cope once you got a new buddy? I feel like i’d feel so guilty. Im glad im not alone, but im so sorry to hear about that. I wouldn’t want that pain on my own enemy. It really does suck, you don’t think it changes you as much as it does.
@bubbleCherry4907 - I think it definitely did and does still help me cope. I hope you are able to find some comfort during this grieving process.
It is allowed to be a traumatic moment and you are allowed to feel grief. You begin to heal when you begin to allow yourself that grieving space and you don't feel guilty or embarrassed by it. Pets mean a great deal and it can be hard to get over a loss quickly even when you haven't had the pet that long.
What kinds of things are you doing to comfort yourself?@bubbleCherry4907