Grieving My Beautiful Little Girl Options

[Juturna]

For the past 2 days I have emersed my grief in reading postings finding them comforting in dealing with the guilt and heartache. My precious little Victoria was euthanized on 1/23 while I held her head and told her that I love her. Victoria was a buff and white ##er spaniel close to 14 years of age who had a strong will and tremendous spirit. She presented as much younger than her age, despite her health issues with cushings disease which we controlled with a lot of medication.

Last Thurs. Victoria stopped eating treats, had difficulty on the stairs, stayed in bed alot, and stopped wagging her tail. I took her to the vet on Fri. and he said that it may be lyme disease, prescibed an antibiotic, and told me to call on Mon. if she was worse. The next day she drank her water, and ate a tiny bit of food. She even jumped off my lap to watch children sledding out the window. I went to the city that evening for shopping and dinner not knowing that would be the last night that I could be with her. I still remember Victoria's sad eyes looking at me as I was leaving. Her appitite was worse when I returned home. The next morning she could barely walk, was totally disorriented, and was incontinent. We took her to an emergency vet center as my regular vet was not in the office. By Sunday at lunch time she had to be carried into the emergency center and was critically ill. The vet suspected that she had cancer which had spread to a major organ. I made the decision to euthanize which I am OK with. She went peacefully surrounded by the people that loved her the most.

My difficulty is with the guilt I feel in not being with my girl for close to 5 hours on her last night, and with the extreme sense of loss and pain. Since Victoria had health issues with the cushings disease and was deaf, so much of my time was spent caring for her, especially these last 2 years. Now there is an enormous emptiness in my heart. I just want to cry all the time and I'm having trouble sleeping. I've been talking to friends and have a very supportive significant other, but the pain of grief is so sudden and intense.

[moon_beam]

Hi, Juturna, it's Wednesday evening - - half way through the week. What a wonderful request to ask your clients to bring in their beloved companions. I truly do not know how I would have made it through my initial recovery and intensive rehabilitation, including intensive professional counseling, if I had not had my Samson and Holly with me. They truly were my lifeline - - literally - - and my purpose and inspiration for even trying. And when Oslo and I did AAT work I saw so many miracles happen - - yes miracles - - because of him. I do so understand the depth of the loss you are feeling without your precious Victoria's sweet physical presence with you. I'm wondering if you ever took pictures of your Victoria with her clients, and if so, have you given them a copy of these pictures for them to keep and remember her? Also, have you thought about making an enlarged picture of your Victoria to place in the room where you have group sessions and in your office - - as a focal point? Even a picture of her can help reduce stress levels - - these are just some ideas - - but it's up to you to decide if they are appropriate to do, and your comfort levels in doing them.

I hope you will have a peaceful evening tonight, my friend. May your dreams be blessed with your precious Victoria, and please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam