How Do You Say Goodbye To Your Beloved Pets?

[Daryn Kagan]

Bittersweet times around here. Friday I had to say goodbye to Tripod the 3-Legged Wonder Cat. He was at least 19 years old and the most wonderful of friends. I tell you more about him in my blog. I'm so sad to let him go; yet so amazed that I got share his remarkable life.

I know many of you have had to go through a similar experience. Can you please share how you've said goodbye?

Many thanks.

[HJ Rose]

I guess you don't really say goodbye because the warm memories are still there and pictures? Everywhere of course!

On September 8, 1994 my wife and I held Sam (Sheltie) and wrapped his favorite blanket around him as the vet aided him on the next leg of his journey. Like Tripod, it was time. Sam had a long happy life with us but he was beginning to suffer. As they say, "You have to love enough to let go."

I couldn't have guessed then but on March 12, 2004 I held my wife as she peacefully slipped into Sam's new world. Their ashes are in two urns in my house. When it's time for me to rejoin them, all of our ashes will be mixed together and spread around my wife's ancestral land in Louisiana. So we're not saying goodbye, just "See ya later."

[Rose Caplan]

We are so sorry to hear about Tripod. Losing such a wonderful companion is so hard. We lost our first dog after only 10 years to stomach cancer. She was so loving and brought so many smiles to our lives. Her spirit is always with us. One thing we would do differently is adopt as soon as emotionally possible. In her honor we would adopt a puppy whose life would otherwise be doomed in a shelter. We have two rescues now, and our only regret is that we didn't have them sooner.
We hope the pain you are feeling now lessens with each day and soon is replaced by smiles of the fond memories Tripod brought you.

[Jim Gilson]

July, 2009, I asked my 16 year old Aussie, Patch's vet to give her a shot that would make her a puppy again, take away her arthritis, bring her hearing back, remove her cataracts and take away her fear. Even though, in my gut, I knew this was best and on the outside, it was peaceful. I felt, inside, that it was a very violent act and battled with guilt. I was a single custodial parent and Patch's job was to protect my 8 year old son and keep him company while I was at work. He is now 25 and on his own and she did her job to it's fullest. CJ was never alone and no one ever bothered him while she was with him. I fell in love with her, too, and she made the cover of a local newspaper. She raised two litters of puppies and 1 litter of kittens with a level of committment and stoicism I wish I had. I cried for 2 years prior and 3 days after we said goodbye. It was the right thing to do and it hurt like hell.

[Anna Diehl]

You're choking me up here, Jim... how incredible. And how privileged you all were to have her in your family. Only parent, son (gifted with HFA) just turned 9, and a Patch is who I'm waiting for to come to us.

Beautiful - Patch and your story.

[leigh]

I knew I was an official adult cat parent on one November weekend back in 2006 when my beloved cat Kenny began acting out of the ordinary. He was my first pet as an adult and by far the most loved creature in my life (at that time). I was about to head out of town to NYC to watch the NY Marathon when I noticed Kenny wasn't really jumping down from the couch or moving around all that much. I just knew something was wrong, much the way a mother must know when a child just doesn't feel well. I called off my trip to spend the weekend with Kenny and it turned out to be my last weekend with him. Deciding when to put down a sick animal is the hardest thing I've ever done. But once I realized that I selfishly wanted to keep him around because I needed just one more day with him, I knew that the selfless and right thing to do was to end his suffering. There is still a void in our house, missed Kenny-spooning in the wee hours, and a happy/sad feeling when I think of him. But he opened my heart up and made room for my new beloved pet Janet, the pugnacious pug. She has healed all wounds leaving only happy memories of Kenny and started to fill the empty space in our home. Kenny is gone, but not forgotten...and Janet has very much arrived :-)

[happiguy]

My heartfelt condolences go to you and yours over the loss of Tripod. My animal companions present and past help me to understand something of what you must be feeling now that a big empty place exists in your home and heart. It may not make things all better, but try to think of the many wonderful moments of joy Tripod brought to your life; the smiles, the laughter, the feeling there was at least one living creature who could accept you exactly as you are, love you unconditionally, eat what you provide, never complain, never ask to borrow your car, never want an allowance, never argue or backtalk, just cuddle, snuggle, and purr unconditionally. Tripod's earthly being may be gone, but his memories remain forever.

sincerely,
bernie winegrad, (also a cat/dog person)

[Anna Diehl]

Frankly, Daryn, the fact that Tripod was with you for 17 years is a most amazing testament of love, adoration and all things miraculous and good on both parts, each to the other. How wonderful!

Your story, this subject, comments from others... brings two memories up close again -

- I was 11, wanted a dog in the best most wonderful way. Came home from summer camp, walked in our front door and a little ball of black fur ran up to greet me - I cried, she peed, we bonded.

- Two years ago, feral rabbits were eating plants all over the neighbourhood and breeding under our shed - one of the few places where they're safe from predatory bipeds. A litter of 4, I caught 3 in a trap (struggled emotionally and let them go). The one off on his own became affectionately known as Sparky - we had a love/stay-away-from-my-plants relationship. A debilitating migraine set in one day. Unable to care for my child, he sat patiently on the front steps waiting for my friend to arrive as I lay in bed. I heard him come in. As quietly as he could, he said "Mama - Sparky is at our house with a broken leg." He persisted in earnest until I went. Nearby was Sparky, who didn't even try to run away as I stepped close. With my son's help, I picked up Sparky, put him in a box and set him beside my bed, with a small blanket and bag of carrots. In the following hours, I lay in bed with an arm over the side, a hand on his body but for reaching to get another carrot. In the morning I called a friend from animal rescue. She came over and took him to a vet who was willing to take him as a patient without charge. Unfortunately the break was much more severe than I had seen, amputation likely wouldn't even save his life. I let go. She brought him back to me that night, wrapped in that same blanket - Sparky was a girl, I was grateful she wasn't pregnant. The migraine eased, my son came home and sat with me as I held Sparky, rocking her gently, stroking her fur, body still warm. At dusk, we dug a hole, put her in, and talked about how great she was as we gave her back to Mother Earth.
Later, I erected an outdoor piece over the site that she now shares with Spot the Fish. To this day, my boy still talks about what a great rabbit she was, and how he misses her...

Kids. They are the answer and cure to everything.

May Tripod forever be remembered with such pure love...

[karin dicker]

I lost my beloved dog (who was raised by 2 cats) and when 1 cat died - he was never really the same, he and that cat were buddies. The cat weighed more than him.. My dog was a day short of 16 yrs. old when I had to put him to sleep. He was a cockapoo and the love of my life. He got me thru some hard times and good times. He usually went with me everywhere before he got old. We moved a zillion times. He was the best dog and I loved him so. He has been gone almost 4 yrs. and I still miss him. This website really helped me along with the poem "Rainbow Bridge". I had him cremated and when I go my ashes are going to be mixed with his and then I can be with him for eternity. That was the bond between us. Here is the poem Rainbow Bridge- http://www.petloss.com/poems/maingrp/rainbowb.htm and you can scroll down to get to the petloss.com homepage. I hope this helps. Your cat will be in your heart forever. I am so sorry for your loss.

[Brian Kosisky]

I will miss 'Pod. He was a wonderful cat! He was so lucky to have you around more these past three years.

[Andrew G. Marfink]

Dear Daryn: I feel your pain. I have my own 3 legged cat named "Laura". She is my gift from God. Someone dropped her off on a little used back road and when I drove by she ran out in front of me and I hit her. I got out of the truck, grabbed a pistol, and walked back to make sure she was dead. There she sat looking up at me.... I scooped her up drove about 40 miles to a vet who said she would have to amputate her leg. She asked me what's the cats name??? I said what's your name and she said, "Laura". I said "Save her life and I'll name her after you". That's how she got her name. She has been my constant companion and bed buddy for the last ten years. She has gone from 7 or 8 ounces to 21 lbs. I dread the day when she will leave. The only consolation we have Daryn, is that if a pet is really loved, they go to heaven to wait for us. I cannot type or say the words how I know. I just know, but thats another story. Bless you and Tripod. I'll say one for you both tonight.

[Erin]

Daryn, I'm so sorry to hear that Tripod is gone.

12 years ago, we had a dalmation named Bonkers. He was nuts, and I adored him. He climbed trees (seriously) and he let the kids pull his ears and tail, and he loved them all the more for it. He was the first dog I'd had since I lost my childhood best friend Mittens... anyway, we only had Bonkers about a year when she got loose and went straight for the road, got hit, and died instantly. I bawled for days, and swore off pets for years.

Losing a pet can be a lot like losing a child... May you find peace.

[Sam G. Rodriguez]

I understand how you feel. We lost a our precious little dog this year. We had her about 8 years since our kids were little. It was hard to see her go. My wife and kids and I held a outdoor funeral for her and make a special burial place in our backyard. We all said our goodbyes. It has not easy but it gave us some closure. You will always have the wondeful memories of Tripod as we have of our Precious.
God bless you.