I Don't Know If I Can Survive This Options

[Jess]

The pain has been so intense recently, I can't stand it. It feels like physical pain, like something is consuming me from the inside out. I don't feel like I will ever get through this and be able to enjoy life again. I miss my Sydney so much that I literally don't know what to do with myself. I've never experienced a loss like this before.

[hope2heal]

Dear Jess,

I am so sorry to hear about Sydney. I think I understand exactly how you feel. I had to have my dog euthanized last July and it took me months until I felt better. I was very depressed. If you want, check out my old posts.

I finally ended up adopting two dogs. One in February and one last month. I thought for the longest time I could never love a dog again. For a few months I couldn't stand even to LOOK at a dog. Though I still have feelings of guilt and grieve for Patsy--I know this might sound so "typical"--I just reached a point where I convinced myself that I loved that dog and would have done nothing to intentionally hurt her; that I didn't know how ill she truly was at the time; that there was nothing I could do to bring her back; and that the only thing I could do was to thank God for what time I had with her, the love she gave and the love and care we gave to her, and to try to help another dog... (I'm not saying what you should do is rush out and get another animal; and of course one can NEVER simply be replaced with another)

Jess, you are going through a very very difficult time. One of the major stressors in life. Many people are more distraught when they lose a beloved pet than they do a family member. It's actually quite normal. Animals are so innocent; they never do anything to hurt us, like people can and do. Do you have a support group you could go to, or know of a therapist who specializes in Pet Loss?

People wrote me some similar things to what I have written you... I just finally came to a sort of "peace" about it eventually. It wasn't easy and took a long time. I just have to believe that Patsy went back to the God Who created her, and that I will see her again someday.

Will be thinking of you...

Sincerely,
nancy