Here I am 7 months after my dog son George passed tragically. I still cannot bring myself to write about his final days.....too painful....overwhelming guilt. I have been reading others' stories almost everyday to numb this pain. I am still in the same place as the day he went. Time does not heal. Reading posts here gives me some measure of comfort I can't get anywhere else.

Moon_Beam, Gretta's & Rufus's mum, Raccoonkisses, Thank you all. I wouldn't be here today without you.

Deepest gratitude,

George's mum

Hi, George's mum, please permit me to offer you my sincerest sympathies in the physical loss of your beloved George. 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 tragically intensifies the grief.

George's mum, this grief journey is one of the most painful experiences you will know on this side of eternity. It is a journey that cannot be reconciled in a minute, an hour, a day, a week, a month, or even 6 or 7 months - - for you are now on a journey that is filled with all the "first withouts" and the memories that can be all too painful that include "this time yesterday, last week, last month, last year" to endure. 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.

But I assure you, George's mum, it is a journey you do not travel alone. Each of us here DO understand what you are going through, and we are here for you for as long and as often as you need us. Even if it is too painful for you to share with us what is in your heart - - we are here for you.

Right now it is important that you find the most healthy way for YOU to grieve for your beloved George. It is important that you give yourself permission to openly release your deepest sorrow for as long as you need to, even if you need to seek the peace and solitude of privacy from others around you to do it.

I do so know from first hand experience that when our hearts are entrenched in deep grief there really are no adequate words in any language that can soothe the deep seering pain of sorrow. Still, George's mum, I hope and pray the words I share with you will be able to offer you some measure of comfort, support, encouragement, and hope as you travel your grief adjustment journey.

One important thing, among many things, you need to remember is that the love bond you and your beloved George share is eternal - - it is not restricted to the physical laws of time and space. Your beloved George's sweet Living Spirit continues to share your earthly journey as he always has and always will - - for he is always and forever a part of your heart and memories - - he is always and forever a heartbeat close to you.

Thank you so much for honoring us in sharing your beloved George with us, George's mum. He is sooo handsome, and he is so blessed to have you for his Forever Mom. And you, George's mum, are forever blessed to be his heir to and sole, and soul, beneficiary of, his eternal love. For you are now his living legacy of the "eternal flame" of love that continues to burn warmly in your and your beloved George's hearts.

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

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Dear George's Mum

I am so very sorry for the loss of your beloved George. I cannot put the words any better than our dear Moonbeam, who has helped me and so many others on this forum.

It is just coming up for 6 months since my darling , beloved Pixie, our Long Coat Akita, left us so suddenly. I still feel as if my heart is broken, although I can now think of her and smile again at how wonderful she is and what she brought to our lives. I say 'is' because she will always be here with us, always such a beautiful presence in our hearts and souls.

A month ago we rescued another Akita, well his mum's an Akita, dad is unknown. The mum was taken in by Akita rescue where she gave birth to 6 puppies. All have found homes. Ours is a boy who we have named Kobi. He has certainly brought some joy back into our lives, and I feel that Pixie will be pleased that he is here with us.

I am not saying that it's right for everyone, but for me, my house just doesn't feel 'right' without the physical presence of a fur companion. We were unsure what to do, but we are now glad that Kobi is here with us.

This forum has helped me deal with the loss of my beloved dogs over these last few years. I have made many friends on here who I correspond with on a regular basis. Time does eventually heal. However it can take many months, and of course even years after something will trigger those tears... but remember those great times and the funny little things your George did, and you will find that these wonderful memories can make you smile again. George would not want his Mum to be sad.

Your George looks so lovely. Please post some more pics of him , and when ready it would be lovely to hear more about him.

Thinking of you.

Jan and my Angels and Kobi x

Thank you....Thank you....Thank you, Moon_Beam and Jan.

I have been reading almost every post on LS site to take my mind off for several months. None of my family or close friends understands my depth of grief and sorrow. I never expected George's passing would cause such carastrophic effect on me and my life. The worst pain in my life(I am in my 40's). I am off work, completely withdrown from social life by choice. I just need to be away from the world outside. I can't even stand watching TV or listening to music. I just read and sleep all day and night. Time passes me by. It feels like 7 hours gone instead of 7 months. Deep down, I know I need to return to the real world soon until I go to him. I wish time to fast forward so that my time is up now. Will he be waiting for me? This bad neglectful mother. I failed him. Unforgivable. My George deserves a better mum.

Moon_Beam, I truly believe you have been put into this world to save us, grieving parents of all furry kids. Your words of wisdom and deep love and understading are comforting and I cling to those.

Jan, I thank you for taking the time for me. George was 10 when he died in hospital. I can't write about his death yet....it's just too painful...I re-live his last days every single my waking moment...it's hell. He was the single reason my life was perfect and happy for 10 years, the longest bond and love I had in my life. I don't want to be happy any more. I let him down.

Akita is a very beautiful breed with renowned loyalty to their family.

I send you and Kobi Big Hugs and lots of kisses.

Dear George's Mum, I am so very sorry for your terrible loss. I know how you feel...I'm feeling the same way months after losing my Emma, though I did not experience the difficulties you have of a sudden loss. I am so very sorry and truly hope that we both just keep going through the motions and distracting ourselves until time decides to give us some help. I don't know what that help is, I can only say that you are not alone and I grieve for your own pain. I hope, like me, you have moment when the pain is a little less and we can both hope for each other that those moments become more frequent.

Hi, George's mum, thank you so much for sharing with us how you're doing. Please let me try to add some words of comfort to those of our friends Jan and EmmasMom.

First of all - - please let me try to reassure you that - - whatever happened with your beloved George - - you are NOT a "bad mum." In fact, just from what you have shared with us you did everything in your power to make sure that he had a happy and healthy earthly journey. I know all too well how quickly emergencies can arise - - as my precious feline companion Noah is now recovering from a serious life-endangering medical crisis from last week. This is the second life-threatening event in his life within a year's time. So, yes, I DO understand how quickly our companions can be taken from us - - even when we seek professional medical care for them as quickly as we can. NONE of us are omnipotent, George's mum - - we are mere mortals who do not possess the gift of foreknowledge, and our companions accept us - - and eternally love us - - even though we are mere mortals.

I also know from first hand experience the life-changing effects a tragic and traumatic event can have on us. Several years ago my life was permanently changed due to very tragic events. Although to other people I was "functioning" through my recovery and rehabilitation, I progressively found myself in a deepening and darkening depression. I finally found a professional counselor who actually listened to me, and through his help I was slowly able to begin putting my life back together to where I could once again find hope in my survival. There are very real physical as well as emotional effects we experience when we are deeply grieving, and sometimes we need the assistance of medical professionals and counsellors to help us through the grief journey. This is not a negative reflection on you, George's mum - - please know that your beloved George wants to see you doing well - - for you are his living legacy to the beautiful eternal love you and your beloved George share. It is important that you take care of yourself.

Sadly, talking about what happened with your beloved George will not change what happened - - but it WILL help you to release the deep burden that is weighing on your heart, and this is what your beloved George wants for you. Please know there are no judgments made here - - we are here for you for as long and as often as you need us, George's mum. And we are here to help share your heart's burden with you - - for NONE of us can carry the burden of our deepest sorrow alone. Together, though, we can find the strength and courage and hope to continue on with our earthly journey in a way that will honor our beloved companions.

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

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Hello Christine,

I was thinking of both you and me when I was out at the bookstore today. A magnet read, "If you're going through hell, keep going." It has been seven months for me, as well, since I've lost my beloved Diva dog. Time has yet to heal me. Sure, at times, I have happiness and even allow myself to laugh. For me, it is when I'm alone in the house - going from five animals to one in five months has left me emotionally drained. That's when I break down and sob. Yesterday, I was sweeping under the bed. I went to pick up a dead fly, or so I thought. Instead it was a small piece of Diva's hair just lying there next to the bureau. I had never noticed it before. I'm not the greatest house cleaner, but not as bad as having a piece of hair go unnoticed for months...It was just a precious reminder of my little girl who left me all to suddenly. She wasn't even six. The guilt I feel now is not about how she died, but it is not grieving as deeply for my two cats who left me two weeks apart (Abe and Oscar). It's almost as if I can only grieve on at a time. This journey has been so overwhelming.

Anyway, I know your deep pain. Keep busy, pray, meditate...easier said than done, I know. I continue to search, too, for answers. Perhaps my questions are unanswerable. Why?! And where is she?! I know there are those who say they can feel their animals at all times, even from the other side. I wish I were that lucky. Though, I did get to feel Diva's presence shortly after she passed. I know she's ok. I'm the one who is lost. I feel that you are, too. No worries. We will find our way. Like the magnet said, "keep going".

Your friend,
Raccoonkisses

P.S. My husband has a couple of pics I will send your way. He still has to get them off his computer from work. I haven't forgotten.

I'm sorry about your baby. I've started reading everything I can find about grief, getting back to life, getting over the loss of a pet, getting over the loss of a child (because those advices can be applied to our cases, to some pets are our kids). This is how I feel toward people who lost their cats/dogs. It's like losing a child. I have very strong feeling to my cats. I used to not be able to go to bed until both of my cats get back home from being outside. They knew that night time is the time to go home, because mommy won't go to bed. I'd knock on their plates and they run right in. Then I had to feed them their favorite wet food of course. I was very happy to see them together. They had the same schedule, I mean they slept, eat, play, do everything together. Now it's just my other cat, Kitos. He is laying by the window all day long! I come over ask him if he is ok, he start purring. I know he misses his brother to.
Having another cat is not really helping to get over my baby Miles. Miles is just so different. Every time I try to pick up Kitos and put him on my chest he freaks out, he is just not like Miles, he is not him, never will replace him. But his brother does make me smile sometimes, because the way he plays with his toy.
Just know that your baby George is in a better place. He left the Earth with a tragical death, but it's over, he is fine right now, he is at peace, he is home! Earth is not our home, we're more like guests here, only for a short period of time. When our soul disconnect from our physical body, we go home where we get together with everyone (humans and non-humans) we loved on Earth.
Just think what would George want to say to you right now if he could. He would want you to take care of yourself, live your life, remember him, think about him with the joy and think only about good memories. He wouldn't want you to be suffering, because he is not suffering, he is happy and free now.

Wow, what a gorgeous dog! I haven't been on this site in ages, but want to let you, and all the others know that it does get better.
In sympathy and understanding - Steph

"My George" I sent you a message, but not sure if you received it. My message just kind of "hung there" for a bit, and it's not showing up in my outbox. Let me know if it arrived. Thanks!

George.....

It's Christmas today. I am working(I work in ER so it's open as usual) and my colleagues put on merry music and decorations everywhere in ER......everyone is happy but me. I am working with broken heart and through my tears. I keep wiping my tears away. I pretend it's allergic reation in my eyes. I so wish time to fast forward so that I could go home and cry. I am so sorry, George....I let you down.....you would have been with me today celebrating Christmas if I had taken you to the hospital sooner. It's all my fault. I so miss him. My heart is aching with this profound guilt and sorrow. I did nothing for this Christmas and never will. Didn't go to invitations, didn't send cards, didn't buy a present, didn't put up Xmas decorations at home. All I want is my George....

George's mum, guilty and heart-broken

Hi, George's mum, thank you so much for sharing with us how you're doing. Your deep sorrow and heartbreak is palpable in your words, and I share your deepest grief. I know right now it feels like you will "never" be happy again - - but your beloved George so wants you to be happy when you think of him and remember his earthly journey with you. He does not want your heart broken and sad forever. I truly wish there were words I could share with you that could take this horrible pain from your heart, but all I can offer you is my sincerest comfort, encouragement, support, and prayer that one day the guilt and sorrow that is in your heart now will be replaced with the happiness of your beloved George's loving desire for you.

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

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Hi Georgie-Porgie

Happy New Year!

I can see you romping up there in the Perfect World with all your doggie friends and all the other animals who are there.

What a great dog you are - a huge, loving ball of fur, energy and love. No wonder your mom misses you so.

Georgie, please send her a little sign (if you haven't already) that you're still alive and that you're OK and that you are waiting for her to step over the Bridge when her time comes. And if you want to bowl her over, it's OK 'cuz nothing hurts in the Perfect World where you both will be.

Be sure you get to meet my two doggies: Gretta - the kindest chocolate lab who ever lived - and Rufus - he of the strong back and goofy mind.

There's a song we have down here that says what you mom and I both believe in "When we all get too heaven, What a day of rejoicing it will be"

And every day up there together will be a joyful as the first day.

Gretta and Rufufs's mom

XOXOXOXOXOX

I saw that you visited my post on MacKenzie. I wanted to send you some love and light. It helps me heal, too.

I’m so very sorry for your loss of your beloved George. I wanted to pass something on for you to read. It’s also posted here under Pet Loss Support Resources and Articles. It’s on pet loss, by Christine Kane, http://christinekane.com/on-losing-a-beloved-pet/. I found this in researching how to cope after losing my dear Molly this past Jan. Read the part about guilt. I know you feel you failed your George. I hope that reading stories from others and blogs like Christine’s will offer you some hope and comfort.

George is with you and knows you love him, as he does you.

What a beautiful dog. I am very sorry for your loss. I lost my dog Bruno two weeks ago today. The pain hurts still and I cry all the time. I hope you are doing ok and the pain has healed a little bit