People Who Don't Get It Options

[dogsrpeople2]

This is my first post and since you all are so eloquent and comforting, I was wondering if there's any advice for dealing with supposed loved ones who try to minimize your loss. It's hard enough just getting through the day for the past 2 weeks dealing with this horrible sadness. But how do I get over the anger I feel toward a significant other who shows less compassion than a total stranger? Surely somebody else has encountered such heartlessness? Please help!

[dawnb93]

I just ran across this post and had to reply. I am a "freak" among my co-workers. They call me the "dog lady" (and not in an affectionate way), and even though I love all animals. And they laugh and make jokes behind my back when I am compassionate to an animal in need (which I see a lot of in my profession). Imagine what abuse I took when I caught a mouse in the office and set it free behind the building! I listen every day to "manly men (and women)" speak with the "it's just a dog" attitude and talk about hitting their dogs or throwing them out of the house and into the backyard because they barked or chewed on something. To me, there are many people, nay, WAY TOO MANY people with this attitude. The way I chose to deal with it is to ignore them the best I can and surround myself in my personal life with as many people as I can who are like me. Although some of my friends don't understand my compassion for all things four legged, they don't give me grief about it. And although for a long time I thought it impossible, I was lucky enough to find a man who loves our babies (six cats, two dogs) as much as I do. I would not have married him otherwise. I'm so sorry that your significant other doesn't share your love for your four-legged child and cannot support you in your loss. But please keep coming back to this site. It is full of people who all share one thing in common - our love of our four-legged children and our pain at their loss. Although we have never technically met, we do know you. We know what you're feeling. We understand your pain. And we are here for you.

Dawn