I never witnessed a pet death, although I had a pet that died. All three of my children witnessed the death of their beloved parakeet, Lightening. We were eating breakfast prior to going to school. Lightening's cage was hanging in the kitchen. Suddenly we heard this loud squawk, looked up and saw Lightening fall off the perch, and die. The girls, ages 9,7,and 5, screamed and insisted that I could make him come back to life because I was a nurse. I explained death and that I could not revive him. We decided to have a funeral after school. We had wrapped him in a tissue, placed him in a shoe box lined with cotton and buried him in the front garden.
About 4 months later the 7 yr old dug him up to see what he looked like. She was very pleased to see that he still looked the same, with the pretty blue feathers.
Susan - 10 years ago
The first dog and friend I had was large red dog which I was later told was an Irish Setter or that he had a lot of Setter in him. I was about 9 years old and really loved that dog. I got to name him and he went everywhere with me. We lived in the country and we took walks together every single day, through the woods and around a lake. He was a perfect dog as he always stayed beside me on walks or ran a little ahead of me and then turned around and waited for me to catch-up. One day I got off the school bus and found him "deceased" laying halfway up the driveway. I guess a car had hit him and he had made it that far home. It was cold and a light bit of snow floating in the air but not collecting on the ground. I loved him so much I thought I better take care of him myself, before he laid there too long and I found I favorite spot in the woods. I burried him there. I remember his eyes in the cold, after he died and that taught me, in a way, to be a little less fearful of death or how someone looks after life goes from the "body" because I saw this in someone I loved so much, him. So I couldn't be fearful of someone I loved so much, even in death so I guess the fear of death was diminished in me.
I never forget him and once when I walked where we used to walk, some 20 years latter, I swear I felt him run up beside me, eventhough no dog was there and really at that moment I wasn't thinking of him. It just happened.
Another Irish Setter I had, as an adult with my husband, was also perfect! But unfortuneately was injurred and though the Vet did everything he could, after months of rehab, it was obvious he needed to be "put down" as some say. This was becasue all he would do is walk in small circles and he could hardly swallow. He could bare "lap" water with is tongue. He would only eat from me hand feeding him and then only small amounts of certain foods which he swallowed in one lump. (He had brain damage which effected so much.) My father also loved this dog and he insisted taking care of him instead of sending him off to a strange place to pass. I think he was also thinking of us. So he took him out for a beautiful walk and as he was happy in a beautiful spot on my Dad's land he passed him on and he said our dog never knew or felt a thing. It was the only time in my life I saw my Dad cry. He came back from that walk with a tear down his cheek. I know he did it for us, that our loved dog could be at home, with family, when he passed and that taught me about the courage my Dad showed for his loved ones.
I still love these dogs so much I kept their names out of this note, as they are still a private part of our family, close to our hearts. But maybe this writing will help someone with this topic so I am posting it. Our pets, and in my case, our dogs, are just so special parts of our lives.
My first dog a Brittany named Dino was taken away to "live" on a farm- we had moved to the big city from South Dakota- he was nervous and bit my grandmother when she stepped on his foot numerous times. I woke up one Saturday morning and he was gone.
We raised baby birds that fell off out of the nests on our house- many times more than not they crossed over- we buried each one. I made grave markers in shop class for my pet fish, my gerbil Ralph, and my rabbit Peter( I did not name him!) and watched at the age of 17 my beloved cat Oliver die the agonizing death of rat poison- believe me- rats don't deserve that death. But it wasn't until my cat Tevia who I had found playing in the traffic when he was four weeks old died at the age of 18&1/2 years old- my entire adult lifetime that I fully experienced the depth of sorrow that one feels when they lose a four legged child. So- here's the list- Oliver, Monk, Peter, Wilbur, Toby, Mister Kitty, Butchie, Tevia, ChristMisseyEve, Tiger, Tigger, LilKat, DB Cooper, SissySue,KatherineKitty,Connie,Buddy, Tev2 Lenny, Alix, Brandye,KitCarson, and Sammy, and Elmo- the most wonderful dog of all times. There was BooBoo who ate the sofa, and MoMo the Bull Mastiff who taught me the importance of singing ( HOWLING) as a family- and Kuma' the inky dog to ever bite me- he left me with over three hundred stitches in my face-The birds : LindyHopper, Charlie, and Buddy. Not to mention Cecil the suicidal snake, and Jiminy the Cricket.
It doesn't get easier- but each crossing is different and the role that I have played has been different with each crossing. I loved them all with all my heart- and they loved me- know this though- there is a certain peace of mind that one receives in the act of witnessing the end of another's life- to be the one to hold them- after all the love they have given you- to give them that last caress- so see the life exit and the peace enter- in that moment- as much as it hurts- that is how much you feel their love... Their perfect love for you.... And you will remember how it felt when they were with you....and you will want to feel that again because love is the greatest gift of life that there is. How lucky we all are to have benn loved by someone so hard to say goodbye to. Keep Yourself Well & Present in Love, Light, & Gratitude...
My first dog a Brittany named Dino was taken away to "live" on a farm- we had moved to the big city from South Dakota- he was nervous and bit my grandmother when she stepped on his foot numerous times. I woke up one Saturday morning and he was gone.
We raised baby birds that fell off out of the nests on our house- many times more than not they crossed over- we buried each one. I made grave markers in shop class for my pet fish, my gerbil Ralph, and my rabbit Peter( I did not name him!) and watched at the age of 17 my beloved cat Oliver die the agonizing death of rat poison- believe me- rats don't deserve that death. But it wasn't until my cat Tevia who I had found playing in the traffic when he was four weeks old died at the age of 18&1/2 years old- my entire adult lifetime that I fully experienced the depth of sorrow that one feels when they lose a four legged child. So- here's the list- Oliver, Monk, Peter, Wilbur, Toby, Mister Kitty, Butchie, Tevia, ChristMisseyEve, Tiger, Tigger, LilKat, DB Cooper, SissySue,KatherineKitty,Connie,Buddy, Tev2 Lenny, Alix, Brandye,KitCarson, and Sammy, and Elmo- the most wonderful dog of all times. There was BooBoo who ate the sofa, and MoMo the Bull Mastiff who taught me the importance of singing ( HOWLING) as a family- and Kuma' the inky dog to ever bite me- he left me with over three hundred stitches in my face-The birds : LindyHopper, Charlie, and Buddy. Not to mention Cecil the suicidal snake, and Jiminy the Cricket.
It doesn't get easier- but each crossing is different and the role that I have played has been different with each crossing. I loved them all with all my heart- and they loved me- know this though- there is a certain peace of mind that one receives in the act of witnessing the end of another's life- to be the one to hold them- after all the love they have given you- to give them that last caress- so see the life exit and the peace enter- in that moment- as much as it hurts- that is how much you feel their love... Their perfect love for you.... And you will remember how it felt when they were with you....and you will want to feel that again because love is the greatest gift of life that there is. How lucky we all are to have benn loved by someone so hard to say goodbye to. Keep Yourself Well & Present in Love, Light, & Gratitude...
Vicki - 10 years ago
The most interesting explanation I have heard a parent tell a child about a pet passing away is this - they no longer need their earth suit and the cat has become a bright shining star in the heavens.
Nanette Wagner - 10 years ago
My first pet I lost was my teddy bear hamster that I purchased just after it was weaned. I had him for three years. He once escaped his cage after my mom didn't close it properly. After a day off running free he came up to me and crawled into my hands. One morning I awoke too him cold and stiff. My other pet that I lost was a runt of a litter of guinea pigs. Unfortunately I was not aware of inbreeding. However, for the 8 hours he was in this world he knew love and as much comfort I could give him. Each death was hard for me and a lesson learned. However, one thing I've always made sure with my pets (and family and friends) is to treat them with love and respect as if it is my last day with them.
When it is time for my Belladonna to pass on, if I'm still alive, she will pass with me holding her and telling her what a good dog she has been. She won't know the words but she will know the love behind them. I'm so grateful for my rescued shelter dog and the love, joy and happiness she has brought into my/our lives.
Diane Wenning - 10 years ago
The death of a beloved pet was always devastating to me a child. When I was 10 years old our English Setter died in my arms when no one else was home. She just kept vomiting and I finally quit trying to clean it up and just held her. When I was 15 one of our dogs mauled my dog so badly and she wound up getting gangrene in one of her front legs. My parents let/made me make the decision over whether or not to have her euthanized or have the leg amputate. They said they would go along with whatever I chose. I stayed up all night crying and when my Dad came down in the morning I told him to have her euthanized. I was not allowed to be with her when that happened nor was I allowed to see her body when my parents brought her home to bury her. I think I would have felt better about the whole thing if they had allowed me to be with my dog when she was euthanized but I think it was wise for my parents to have me make that decision. I lost my Golden Retriever to bladder cancer 5 years ago and I still cry over him. That loss has been harder on me than the loss of close relatives. We had to put our nearly 20 year old cat down a year ago, also due to bladder cancer. That has not been as difficult for me as he was so old by then; he'd had a great life.
gwenny3 - 10 years ago
I had the VERY AWFUL sight of my father put my cat in a box and attach it to the tail gate of a running car. I must have been 3 or 4 yrs old in the early 50's. Old time mentality and small city thoughts about animals.
I have personally held everyone of my dogs as the Vet gave them the good bye med. It means so much to me to see the animal relax and go without fear.
sammitymcbrew - 10 years ago
My dog Luca died a month ago. She was a German Shepherd Golden retriever lab mix. The only lab in her was seen on her tongue. Black spot. She had been throwing up for a while, and just wasn't doing good. Dad went down to take her to the hospital, and she was dead, with a smile on her face. I can say truthfully that she was the best thing that ever happened to me. When we got her as a puppy, she ran straight towards me. I miss her a lot.
I never witnessed a pet death, although I had a pet that died. All three of my children witnessed the death of their beloved parakeet, Lightening. We were eating breakfast prior to going to school. Lightening's cage was hanging in the kitchen. Suddenly we heard this loud squawk, looked up and saw Lightening fall off the perch, and die. The girls, ages 9,7,and 5, screamed and insisted that I could make him come back to life because I was a nurse. I explained death and that I could not revive him. We decided to have a funeral after school. We had wrapped him in a tissue, placed him in a shoe box lined with cotton and buried him in the front garden.
About 4 months later the 7 yr old dug him up to see what he looked like. She was very pleased to see that he still looked the same, with the pretty blue feathers.
The first dog and friend I had was large red dog which I was later told was an Irish Setter or that he had a lot of Setter in him. I was about 9 years old and really loved that dog. I got to name him and he went everywhere with me. We lived in the country and we took walks together every single day, through the woods and around a lake. He was a perfect dog as he always stayed beside me on walks or ran a little ahead of me and then turned around and waited for me to catch-up. One day I got off the school bus and found him "deceased" laying halfway up the driveway. I guess a car had hit him and he had made it that far home. It was cold and a light bit of snow floating in the air but not collecting on the ground. I loved him so much I thought I better take care of him myself, before he laid there too long and I found I favorite spot in the woods. I burried him there. I remember his eyes in the cold, after he died and that taught me, in a way, to be a little less fearful of death or how someone looks after life goes from the "body" because I saw this in someone I loved so much, him. So I couldn't be fearful of someone I loved so much, even in death so I guess the fear of death was diminished in me.
I never forget him and once when I walked where we used to walk, some 20 years latter, I swear I felt him run up beside me, eventhough no dog was there and really at that moment I wasn't thinking of him. It just happened.
Another Irish Setter I had, as an adult with my husband, was also perfect! But unfortuneately was injurred and though the Vet did everything he could, after months of rehab, it was obvious he needed to be "put down" as some say. This was becasue all he would do is walk in small circles and he could hardly swallow. He could bare "lap" water with is tongue. He would only eat from me hand feeding him and then only small amounts of certain foods which he swallowed in one lump. (He had brain damage which effected so much.) My father also loved this dog and he insisted taking care of him instead of sending him off to a strange place to pass. I think he was also thinking of us. So he took him out for a beautiful walk and as he was happy in a beautiful spot on my Dad's land he passed him on and he said our dog never knew or felt a thing. It was the only time in my life I saw my Dad cry. He came back from that walk with a tear down his cheek. I know he did it for us, that our loved dog could be at home, with family, when he passed and that taught me about the courage my Dad showed for his loved ones.
I still love these dogs so much I kept their names out of this note, as they are still a private part of our family, close to our hearts. But maybe this writing will help someone with this topic so I am posting it. Our pets, and in my case, our dogs, are just so special parts of our lives.
My first dog a Brittany named Dino was taken away to "live" on a farm- we had moved to the big city from South Dakota- he was nervous and bit my grandmother when she stepped on his foot numerous times. I woke up one Saturday morning and he was gone.
We raised baby birds that fell off out of the nests on our house- many times more than not they crossed over- we buried each one. I made grave markers in shop class for my pet fish, my gerbil Ralph, and my rabbit Peter( I did not name him!) and watched at the age of 17 my beloved cat Oliver die the agonizing death of rat poison- believe me- rats don't deserve that death. But it wasn't until my cat Tevia who I had found playing in the traffic when he was four weeks old died at the age of 18&1/2 years old- my entire adult lifetime that I fully experienced the depth of sorrow that one feels when they lose a four legged child. So- here's the list- Oliver, Monk, Peter, Wilbur, Toby, Mister Kitty, Butchie, Tevia, ChristMisseyEve, Tiger, Tigger, LilKat, DB Cooper, SissySue,KatherineKitty,Connie,Buddy, Tev2 Lenny, Alix, Brandye,KitCarson, and Sammy, and Elmo- the most wonderful dog of all times. There was BooBoo who ate the sofa, and MoMo the Bull Mastiff who taught me the importance of singing ( HOWLING) as a family- and Kuma' the inky dog to ever bite me- he left me with over three hundred stitches in my face-The birds : LindyHopper, Charlie, and Buddy. Not to mention Cecil the suicidal snake, and Jiminy the Cricket.
It doesn't get easier- but each crossing is different and the role that I have played has been different with each crossing. I loved them all with all my heart- and they loved me- know this though- there is a certain peace of mind that one receives in the act of witnessing the end of another's life- to be the one to hold them- after all the love they have given you- to give them that last caress- so see the life exit and the peace enter- in that moment- as much as it hurts- that is how much you feel their love... Their perfect love for you.... And you will remember how it felt when they were with you....and you will want to feel that again because love is the greatest gift of life that there is. How lucky we all are to have benn loved by someone so hard to say goodbye to. Keep Yourself Well & Present in Love, Light, & Gratitude...
My first dog a Brittany named Dino was taken away to "live" on a farm- we had moved to the big city from South Dakota- he was nervous and bit my grandmother when she stepped on his foot numerous times. I woke up one Saturday morning and he was gone.
We raised baby birds that fell off out of the nests on our house- many times more than not they crossed over- we buried each one. I made grave markers in shop class for my pet fish, my gerbil Ralph, and my rabbit Peter( I did not name him!) and watched at the age of 17 my beloved cat Oliver die the agonizing death of rat poison- believe me- rats don't deserve that death. But it wasn't until my cat Tevia who I had found playing in the traffic when he was four weeks old died at the age of 18&1/2 years old- my entire adult lifetime that I fully experienced the depth of sorrow that one feels when they lose a four legged child. So- here's the list- Oliver, Monk, Peter, Wilbur, Toby, Mister Kitty, Butchie, Tevia, ChristMisseyEve, Tiger, Tigger, LilKat, DB Cooper, SissySue,KatherineKitty,Connie,Buddy, Tev2 Lenny, Alix, Brandye,KitCarson, and Sammy, and Elmo- the most wonderful dog of all times. There was BooBoo who ate the sofa, and MoMo the Bull Mastiff who taught me the importance of singing ( HOWLING) as a family- and Kuma' the inky dog to ever bite me- he left me with over three hundred stitches in my face-The birds : LindyHopper, Charlie, and Buddy. Not to mention Cecil the suicidal snake, and Jiminy the Cricket.
It doesn't get easier- but each crossing is different and the role that I have played has been different with each crossing. I loved them all with all my heart- and they loved me- know this though- there is a certain peace of mind that one receives in the act of witnessing the end of another's life- to be the one to hold them- after all the love they have given you- to give them that last caress- so see the life exit and the peace enter- in that moment- as much as it hurts- that is how much you feel their love... Their perfect love for you.... And you will remember how it felt when they were with you....and you will want to feel that again because love is the greatest gift of life that there is. How lucky we all are to have benn loved by someone so hard to say goodbye to. Keep Yourself Well & Present in Love, Light, & Gratitude...
The most interesting explanation I have heard a parent tell a child about a pet passing away is this - they no longer need their earth suit and the cat has become a bright shining star in the heavens.
My first pet I lost was my teddy bear hamster that I purchased just after it was weaned. I had him for three years. He once escaped his cage after my mom didn't close it properly. After a day off running free he came up to me and crawled into my hands. One morning I awoke too him cold and stiff. My other pet that I lost was a runt of a litter of guinea pigs. Unfortunately I was not aware of inbreeding. However, for the 8 hours he was in this world he knew love and as much comfort I could give him. Each death was hard for me and a lesson learned. However, one thing I've always made sure with my pets (and family and friends) is to treat them with love and respect as if it is my last day with them.
When it is time for my Belladonna to pass on, if I'm still alive, she will pass with me holding her and telling her what a good dog she has been. She won't know the words but she will know the love behind them. I'm so grateful for my rescued shelter dog and the love, joy and happiness she has brought into my/our lives.
The death of a beloved pet was always devastating to me a child. When I was 10 years old our English Setter died in my arms when no one else was home. She just kept vomiting and I finally quit trying to clean it up and just held her. When I was 15 one of our dogs mauled my dog so badly and she wound up getting gangrene in one of her front legs. My parents let/made me make the decision over whether or not to have her euthanized or have the leg amputate. They said they would go along with whatever I chose. I stayed up all night crying and when my Dad came down in the morning I told him to have her euthanized. I was not allowed to be with her when that happened nor was I allowed to see her body when my parents brought her home to bury her. I think I would have felt better about the whole thing if they had allowed me to be with my dog when she was euthanized but I think it was wise for my parents to have me make that decision. I lost my Golden Retriever to bladder cancer 5 years ago and I still cry over him. That loss has been harder on me than the loss of close relatives. We had to put our nearly 20 year old cat down a year ago, also due to bladder cancer. That has not been as difficult for me as he was so old by then; he'd had a great life.
I had the VERY AWFUL sight of my father put my cat in a box and attach it to the tail gate of a running car. I must have been 3 or 4 yrs old in the early 50's. Old time mentality and small city thoughts about animals.
I have personally held everyone of my dogs as the Vet gave them the good bye med. It means so much to me to see the animal relax and go without fear.
My dog Luca died a month ago. She was a German Shepherd Golden retriever lab mix. The only lab in her was seen on her tongue. Black spot. She had been throwing up for a while, and just wasn't doing good. Dad went down to take her to the hospital, and she was dead, with a smile on her face. I can say truthfully that she was the best thing that ever happened to me. When we got her as a puppy, she ran straight towards me. I miss her a lot.