Advice If You're Looking, Don't overlook the obvious Options

[cswitzer]

My beautiful black cat, Wally did not come home on Wednesday morning and I looked all over the neighborhood for him. He had been locked into garages in the past and I assumed...assumed...assumed he was locked in again. I rang bells, I left fliers, I whistled and called and nearly went crazy.

In the end I found him just over the fence in the next yard. If I had taken a moment to step on a tall planter and look, I would have seen him. I might have found him when he was still alive. I didn't find him until day 4. What a heartbreak!

He died from a fall, we think. But that does not matter now. I overlooked the obvious. I assumed if he was close he would respod to my calls. Look even the obvious places. You never know...

[jmobrice]

I just lost my dog, Scooter, a German Shepard mix. He's 12 years old and had become very attached to me since his companion, our Irish Setter, died last June. Sunday, he seemed so unsettled. Everywhere I went, he was right there under my feet. I thought maybe he wanted to go outside, so I let him out. After a while I asked my husband if he had seen Scooter. We couldn't find him. I feel so guilty about letting him out and not checking on him sooner. We live in a wooded subdivision so he has plenty of places to hide. I don't think he's lost. We have looked for him, called for him, driven around the neighborhood looking for him. We called our veterinarian and let them know in cse someone found him. I'm distraught. I can't help but think of him out there somewhere, in pain or worse. How do I get past this? I can't stop crying. Right after we had to have our Irish Setter put to sleep last June, my brother died unexpectedly from a heart attack. I had closure with both the Irish Setter, and my brother to some extent. I don't know how to do that with Scooter since I don't know where he is. Has anyone had this experience? How did you get over it? Thanks for any help.