Friday my precious Harry Silkie rooster was killed by a hawk. I hatched him out in an incubator. He imprinted on me and hated other chickens. He could walk on a leash and liked his sweater in winter. He was so affectionate and had such a big personality for such a tiny bird. I feel like I've lost a child and I can't stop crying about it. He would have been 8 years old on Jan 13th.

The guilt I have is overwhelming. He was in an open area and not covered up.

My already existing severe depression is not helping this situation.

I just miss him so much.

Well, thanks for listening.

Hi, Jenn, please permit me to offer you my sincerest sympathies in the physical loss of your beloved Harry. Losing a companion is never easy regardless of the circumstances or how long we are blessed with the privilege of their company. Losing a companion under tragic circumstances intensifies the grief.

Jenn, this grief journey is filled with many different emotions, and unfortunately guilt is one of them, and is one of the hardest of emotions to reconcile. Guilt comes from looking back - - and trying to reconcile the "whys" and "if onlys" that consume our hearts with deep sorrow. And it is times of grief that we are reminded that we are mere mortals - - we do not have the gift of foreknowledge. There is no way you could have known that your beloved Harry was in imminent danger from the hawk, and your beloved Harry knows this. He knows you did everything in your power to give him a safe and healthy and happy earthly journey. I hope someday you will be able to feel peace in your heart.

Although your beloved Harry is no longer physically with you, his sweet Living Spirit continues to share your earthly journey just as he always has and always will. The love bond you and your beloved Harry share is eternal, Jenn - - it is not restricted to the physical laws of time and space. He is always a part of you, Jenn, in your heart and your memories - - he is always and forever a heartbeat close to you.

I know there are no adequate words in any language that can soothe the seering pain of deep sorrow that is in your heart. I can only hope the words I share with you will offer you some measure of comfort, support, encouragement, and hope as you travel your grief adjustment journey. One of the many things you need to remember is that you are among friends here who truly do understand what you are going through, and we are here for you for as long and as often as you need us.

Thank you so much for sharing your beloved Harry with us, Jenn. He is so very handsome. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers, and please let us know how you're doing.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Thank you moon beam, your words are very comforting.

He had the most good in him of any creature I've ever met and the void in my heart is huge.

He may be the closest I'll ever get to having a child.

I posted a video I made for him in the rememberance section.

Thank you again for your kind words.

I'm very sorry for your loss. I too recently lost my soul mate. I will keep you in my prayers.

Well he has been gone 2 weeks. Worst 2 weeks of my life.

I'm so sorry. The pets that we love come in all shapes and sizes and losing any of them is not easy. I know it has been tough but trust in that time will heal the wounds and you will be able to go forward. I am so very sorry for your loss - I hope you chose a way to remember your Harry!

Jenn, I'm so sorry for the loss of your Harry. We here know exactly what your going through. I suffer from depression myself and have been reeling since the loss of my Murfy on Aug. 13th. I pray you will find the strength to carry through this sad time.

Hi, Jenn, thank you so much for hsaring with us how you're doing. This grief journey adjustment journey is one of the hardest experiences any of us will know on this side of eternity. It is a very painful journey both emotionally and physically. Unfortunately there is no fast forward or delete buttons we can press that can speed up the journey or make it immediately disappear. It is a journey that can only be traveled one day at a time, sometimes one moment at a time in your own way and in your own time. For what seems to be a nightmarish eternity every moment of every hour of every day of every month is a piercing reminder that your beloved Harry is no longer physically with you. Your minutes, hours, days, weeks seem to find you constantly thinking, "this time last week, last month, last year, my Harry was here, we did this, he did that," and so on.

But I promise you, Jenn, that one day when you least expect it you will be thinking of your beloved Harry and you will find yourself smiling - - truly smiling - - and your heart will once again feel the joy of your beloved Harry and the deep sorrow of not his precious physical presence will not be quite so unbearable. And this is what your beloved Harry wants for you - - he wants you to be able to remember him with a happy heart. But it will take awhile for this to happen - - only when your heart is able to.

I know I stress this a lot but it is worth saying again - - please know you are not alone in your grief journey, Jenn. You are among friends here who truly do understand what you are going through, and we are here for you for as long and as often as you need us.

I hope today is treating you kindly, Jenn, and that you will have a peaceful evening blessed with your beloved Harry's sweet Living Spirit to comfort you. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers, Jenn, and please let us know how you're doing.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam