When your pet passes away . . .

I haven't allowed myself to think about that.  I would worry and focus more on how my kids would handle something so serious.  My daughter grieves the loss of all her pets and talks about them occasionally.  I make myself 'The Rock' in my family during tough times, so I don't know how I will handle it once I let it hit me.  I know it's gonna hurt crazy bad and that pain lasts a long time.  I do all I can to keep Mack healthy and to have good times with him.  He's a perfect fit for us, and I am so glad we got him. Jules

I know exactly how you feel. I always think of what I'll do when Brown and Grey go...Brown more so than Grey for some reason...probably because Grey seems indestructable. Deep inside, I know that I've given them the best lives possible and their death means there's now room for another animal for me to save. But even now, I think about it and cry over the loss that hasn't even happened and hopefully won't happen for many, many years. Brown and Grey are ingrained in nearly every aspect of my life, and to have one of them gone one day is unimaginable because my day literally revolves around them.

It's been a year and five months since Stevie died. I can't read the posts in the Rainbow Bridge folder. I just can't. It's not that I'm stingy with my support, but that it opens the wound right up raw and I can't bear it. It's just too painful. I can barely type this post! I know someone else out there knows how I feel.

Sofia is 4 now, and I expect that she'll live to be 20. I'm 50, so if I can live as long as she does, or visa versa, we are doing well. That's how I look at it right now. I enjoy every moment I have with her. If she dies before I do, at least I won't have long to wait before I see her again. And Stevie, too! (And a host of others as well.)

My biggest fear is what will happen to her if something happens to me.

I've done the same thing. I think it's because of my cat last year. So, I already know how it feels. But, with any luck, that's at least another 10 or 11 years from now, when I will truly be cantankerous. But each passing affects you differently. It least it has for me.

Ben is too young for me to let myself think about that just yet, but I have known what it is like to think that way.  It's been 10 years since my last dog passed away and it took this long for me to get another dog, it hit me so hard.  I think it may be one of the reasons I got a puppy - there are no guarantees but at least I get to spend Ben's entire lifetime with him.  My last 2 dogs were rescues and well into adulthood when I got them, I just never felt like I had long enough.  I am sure I will always feel like that, though. 
 
I'll be devastated when Ben goes, or any other animal for that matter.  I cry if I lose a fish.  But the sorrow is outweighed by the joy they give me, and I just have to remember that.
 
Kate

I know what you mean.  I actually had to send my Rottie Kane to rainbow bridge back in January of this year and that was very difficult. But I knew it was time for him to go.  I have a new dog now and I focus on enjoying him for the time I have with him now and not worry about things I cannot control.  Worrying about the future and what it can hold instead of focusing on today with are pets can be wasting precious time with them.

I'll be devastated when Ben goes, or any other animal for that matter. I cry if I lose a fish. But the sorrow is outweighed by the joy they give me, and I just have to remember

 
Amen to that.
 

I lost three within 6 months....first our piggie dog Lady, who was such a sweet blessing, then my beloved Rusty, and then Miss Daisey.  About a year later, Misty was gone.  None of my current dogs are horribly far apart in age, so I know that one day, I'll have to face this yet again.  Mr. Ears in December just tore my heart out...he was so young and it was so unexpected.  I think it's less horrendous when the dogs are older and you KNOW you've given them a wonderful life.....and you have YEARS of wonderful memories to hold on to.  But Mr. Ears gave me a wonderful gift too in his goodbye.  He went eagarly to the Bridge and his only regret was leaving me behind.
 
Honestly, my tears flow each and every time I read of another baby going to the Bridge, but I also rejoice for the dog and imagine the welcoming party they have there.........
 
Death is a part of life.  Every living thing must some day die.  I try to keep that in my mind and accept that there is a time and a reason for everything.......and I too am "the rock" for my family.  Maybe I am able to be because I believe sooo strongly in the afterlife, in the reward we all get at the end.  And I do try to remember that.  But, yeah, sometimes its hard.

I can not even read The Bridge at all have never gone there.  My dog is now 6 and every so often I think about it, but I hope she outlives me.  I am 74.  I also have two cats that are l3 now too. Just life, I guess.

willowchow - I try not to think about that but reading how other dogs had gone makes me think about it sometimes.  JJ is going to be a year old this month.  She's still very much of a puppy.  I always try to cherish every moment I had with her.  I took tons of pictures since day one and I'm going to make a album of her.  Other then that, enjoy every moment you had with your furball.  Have fun, build memories..........[]

I have told my dog that if he knows what's best for him then he will live forever ;o) Seriously though, I went to visit his breeder this weekend.  His dad will turn 9 next year. And the thought that someday Scout will start to get those white hairs and slow down makes me bawl. I try not to think about it though because the pain is too unbearable to think about. I know that he is my heart dog and that any other dog to come after him will never measure up.  He is my first dog, my first obedience dog, my first hunting dog....nothing will ever compare to his tolerence in allowing me to learn the best ways to teach him. And his unending willing to please attitude.  Makes me get all teary eyed sitting here at work. Just thought I'd let you know that you are not alone!

It's strange, but I was thinking of this same topic last night. I'm reading "Marley and Me" and I just got to the part where Marley is getting old. I almost started crying when I thought about my boys (they're both just over 1) getting old, even thought it's so far in the future. I lost my sweet Rocky boy about 2 years ago and it still hurts to think about him being gone. Loki and Odin are the first dogs DH and I have had on our own and we're trying to give them the best lives we can. Dogs are so amazing--they enrich our lives so much. I just can't imagine my life without my two fuzzy babies.

I know someone else out there knows how I feel.

 
I sat here last night and typed a response while crying... deleted it, did that two more times.
 
How can you explain to someone how badly it hurts... or why bring that back again anyway?  I understand... but I have to say, I almost enjoy it because crying over my Kayla is something that will never stop.  I like to think of her.  I knnow the day will come when it doesnt hurt, or I hope it does... but even in the meantime I love to think of my angel.  I dont always cry because of the death itself, sometimes its just sheer I miss you so much, and sometimes Ill start laughing while Im crying to think about how funny she was.
 
I cant explain the bond I had with my Kayla, it was amazing.  We were connected on a level that was beyond this world... and that did not leave when she did.
 
To answer the question... I thought about what if she dies a few times while she as alive and it immediately made me cry, and thats when I was thinking it would be an old age thing.  I never thought in a million years her day would come quite soon.
 
You dont know whether your going to lose your baby tomorrow, heck today even due to some freak accident or if you have many years.  So, all you can do is make the most of every day with them.  I think we all do that, I know I did.

Oh, God, thanks everyone.  I'm just a mess, even reading these answers makes me cry!  But, it's true, I give her the best care I can and can't control what will happen.  I just find it so odd that I know what the pain of losing her will be like already, I've never lost a dog before  So, I think that makes her MY heart dog. 
 
Thank you and please keep this going.  It's helping me a lot, especially to know that others have these same feelings.  I was beginning to think I needed help.