Hi everyone who is hurting from the loss of their beloved pet. I visited this site back in 2006 when my sweet 18 year old Scooter kitty had to be put to sleep. I thought I would die. This site with all of you great supporters really helped me through the grieving process. On Jan 1, I had to put another beloved cat to rest. Chloe was 17 and suffering from renal failure. I just want to thank all of you blessed pet owners for your kind and tender hearts. I will be praying for peace for you. Oh, my moniker is for my one 4 year old cat *Snickerdoodle". Peace and blessings to all of you who are grieving. Jennifer

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

Jennifer, your beloved Chloe is forever grateful to you for all the love and care you gave to her during her earthly journey. Even though our minds know that our companions are now restored to their former youthfulness in the company of the angels, our hearts need time to adjust to the "new reality" of no longer enjoying their physical company. This is not an easy adjustment, and it doesn't make any difference if it's our first experience in the grief adjustment journey or our thousandth - - each journey is a unique experience - - and there are no amount of experiences that we can have that will make the journey "easier."

This is one of the many reasons why we need to surround ourselves with support and encouragement from those who know what we are going through, and it is a privilege for me to be among the many correspondents on this forum to be here for you now. I know there are no adequate words in any language that can soothe the seering pain of loss that is in your heart, but it is my sincerest hope that somehow through the words I write to you that you will feel support, encouragement, comfort, and hope to help you through your journey.

Thank you so very much for sharing your beloved Chloe with us, Jennifer. Perhaps sometime you will feel up to sharing a picture(s) of her with us - - but only when / if you want to. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers, Jennifer, and that I look forward to knowing how you're doing.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Hi Jennifer

I'm so sorry to hear of your passing of your lovely Chloe. I hope this year becomes much happier for you, full of the beloved cherished memories of your beloved Chloe and, of course, your Scooter kitty.

Take care and God Bless

Peter

Hi Everyone, still riding the grief roller coaster. It comes in waves. Maybe it is just me, but does anyone else feel themselves grieving for other losses besides there most recent loss . I feel like I'm also beating myself up about past things that have nothing to do with my pet's death. I would love some advice. Jennifer

Hi, Jennifer, thank you so very much for sharing with us how you're doing. What you are feeling in your grief journey is very normal: "Maybe it is just me, but does anyone else feel themselves grieving for other losses besides there most recent loss . I feel like I'm also beating myself up about past things that have nothing to do with my pet's death."

We are very emotionally vunlerable when we are grieving a loss, and we can find ourselves "re-visiting" moments in our lives that we thought were totally resolved, or moments in our lives that were particularly painful and we had suppressed so that we could find a way to continue on with our lives, or find ourselves immersed in feelings associated with moments in our lives that we never thought had an impact on us. So, yes, what you are going through is very, very normal. It's a part of the vulnerability of the grieving process that we go through, and hopefully as your deep grief eases you will find yourself begin to feel emotionally stronger as well.

I hope this helps you, Jennifer. The only way through this is to go with the flow. Take one day at a time, and remember -- unless there are decisions that need to be made on a life dependent level you really don't need to make any changes, decisions, resolutions, etc., until you are less vulnerable. And ALWAYS remember that you are not alone in your grief journey. We are here for you - - always.

I hope today is being kind to you, Jennifer. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers, and that I look forward to knowing how you're doing.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Moon_Beam, thank you so much. I always "prided" myself as being pretty self- sufficient (none of us are!!) and vulnerability is not something I am accustomed to. I'm finding grief to be a cleansing process - a good thing overall - taking stock of my life, stepping out of my comfort zone, finding my heart of compassion, learning not to be so self -absorbed,reaching out to others. We like to think we have our lives well ordered ,then a tragedy happens and it feels like a techtonic shift. But I am learning through grief, that there is growth and goodness. And I am truly thankful for people like you, Moon_beam . xoxoxJennifer

Hi everyone, hope you are able to enjoy your Sunday afternoon. I found a website that I would like to share. It is helpguide.org. They have some excellent articles on coping with pet loss and also on improving emotional health that I have found particularly helpful. My heart is with all of you. xoxox Jennifer

Hi Snicky's Mom....I'm so sorry for your loss of Chloe and Scooter.....My Mickey's first year anniversary is coming up Feb. 22. I have good days and bad days. Every day something will come up about Mickey that will cause me to at least get tears in my eyes. I have lots of pics on my computer and I look at them every day. Several of his things are still laying around.

To answer your question about grieving for other things since our pet loss. I find myself thinking about our last two dogs more and more. We had a Basset and when she passed we got a Maltipoo. When she passed we got Mickey. I'm not sure if we will get another one or not. We have to think about our health right now.

Jennifer, thank you for the website. I read the article on pet loss, very good info. I do hope you are having better days...God Bless..

Hugs,

LoveMyMickey

Hi, Jennifer, thank you so very much for sharing with us how you're doing. One thing is for sure: a life changing event does take us out of our "comfort zone", and the physical loss of our beloved companions certainly qualifies as a life changing event. I hope life is treating you kindly through your grief adjustment journey. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers, Jennifer, and that I look forward to knowing how things are going for you.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Hi Snicky's Mom

In just wanted to say that I am sorry for your losses of your beloved babies. That website is definately helpful and every time I am feeling unsure or sad I try and find websites and this is one I go back to a lot now so thank you.

I hope the world is treating you kindly today.

xxForeverxx