Suffering Overwhelming Greif Options

[tracey99]

Hello, I'm so glad I found this forum. I lost one of my dogs earlier this week and the grief is so overwhelming. I know this pain from when I was young but haven't suffered it in many years. I am finding it very difficult to cope. He was only 8 years old, and he had a heart condition. During the vet at a procedure to remove fluid from the area around his heart, his heart stopped and they could not bring him back with CPR. I am shocked and devastated. He was my little baby boy. I promised him I would always take care of him. I thought the pain would be less each day but it seems to be getting worse. I know there are people here who have gone through this and I know people survive it but right now it feels like I cannot ever know how I will move on. My heart has been ripped out.
Thank you for any words that will help me, right now I feel so lost.
Tracey

[moon_beam]

Hi, Tracey, thank you so o much for your wonderful picture of Mr. Sluggo and his best friend, Grant. They were certainly a pair!!! And rest assured they are together now keeping a loving vigil over you.

Yes, there is an emptiness in our hearts and lives and homes when we experience a loss, even when there are other beloved companions still in the home. Every living being has an individual "energy" that is shared within the group in which he / she lives. When an individual's "energy" is no longer present - - for whatever reason - - there is a definite physical and emotinal reaction to this loss. Grieving a loss is both emotional and physical, Tracey, and that is one of the many reasons why it is such a painful journey to endure. All of the ones who are remaining in the group must now re-define their lives and how they belong within the remaining group.

Unfortunately our society in general does not understand that the grief journey for the loss of a beloved companion is the same as for a human family member or friend. Our beloved companions give to us their unconditional love and undivided attention, and we in turn surrender ourselves to them completely without reservation. When they precede us from this side of eternity they do take a part of us with them - - the better part of us that belongs only to them. And this is another of the many reasons why coping with their loss, particularly in the early deep grief, is so painful, both physically and emotionally.

Contrary to what our society in general believes, the goal of the grief journey is not to "move beyond" or to "forget" our beloved companions. This is impossible to do for they were, are, and always will be a very integral part of our lives. This grief journey is rather a period of "adjustment" - - a very difficult adjustment - - to re-defining the relationship we have with them now, and I hope in time you will be comforted in knowing that Mr. Sluggo's sweet Living Spirit is forever with you in your heart and memories. His sweet Living Spirit is no longer confined to the physical laws of time and space that we are confined to on this side of eternity. Therefore he is still actively sharing your life as you continue with your journey - - wherever you go and whatever you do. Your relationship with him has only temporarily transformed to a different dimension.

Tracey, thank you again so much for sharing Mr. Sluggo with us. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers, and please let us know how you're doing.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam