Saying Goodbye To Maverick Options

[mavsmommy]

Hello everyone. I just found this website when trying to make sense of my grief. This morning, we had to put our beloved Aussie Shephard, Maverick, to sleep. He was 12, and in those wonderful years he'd been attacked nearly to death, developed cataracts and diabetes. Our vet told us most dogs with diabetes don't live more than three years after prognosis, we were lucky enough to be blessed with Maverick for 6 after. this is more cathartic than anything, but i just keep going through the morning in my mind. He started having seizures late last night, then this morning they were severe. He didn't even really seem to be with us when he went, but my husband, baby and I were in the room and touching him, holding his head. I feel such a sense of loss, I'm overwhelmed. I've been in tears all day while my husband seems to be doing okay (he had Maverick for 5 years before he met me). Am I normal? I'm emotionally spent, and I feel bad for our other dog, a pit-dalmation-lab mix, Murphy, who seems kind of lost. ANy thoughts would be welcome.

Missing my baby and crying my eyes out.
Maverick's Mom

[Tracey]

Dear Maverick's Mom

I'm very sorry for your loss. On Jan 8/04 I had to put my beautiful golden retriever, Megan, to sleep. She was only 5. I, too, was completely overwhelmed. I had a very brave face when I was around people but as soon as I was alone, I would just lose it. At first I was worried about my mental health, then I found this website. I also thought, to hell with what people think. Megan was a big part of my life and family and her loss was devastating to me. My husband was not as atttached to her as me so he handled things very differently but still tried to be there for me. When people started to tell me it was time to "get over" her, instead of being mad, I thought to myself, how sad are you to never have known the love of a pet.

My other dog, Molly, is still lost without Megan. I try to spend as much time with her as possible and let her know that although I'm very sad about the loss of Meg, I still love her too.

Someone on this site told me that the next few months will be hard, and they are. But it truly does get better. I followed Beth's advice (thanks Beth) and really tried to focus on memories of a healthy and happy Meg. It hurt at first but now I can talk about her without crying, look at pictures of her, and continue to love her and be grateful for what she brought into my life.

So let the tears come, they will eventaully dry up and be replaced by a smile when you think of Maverick.

Tracey