“Goodbye Old Friend”

I remember by first experience with death quite clearly. It was my first dog, Honey, a great Cocker Spaniel who was my buddy growing up, and who we had to put to sleep because he became blind, then deaf, and then hurt himself when he fell down our staircase. The sense of loss I felt seemed like it would never go away, and I missed him terribly. But I got over it eventually, thanks in part by having another dog, our big Golden Retriever named Ben. He passed away when I was at college, but I still felt the pain of losing him, too.

For most pet owners, the connection we have with our pets is often as strong or stronger than our relationships with some people. This bond goes beyond words – it explains how we feel when we hold our pets in our laps, or see them running around having fun, or how they so often seem to know when we need comfort and they come and sit nearby. We feed our pets better food than in years past, we provide quality medical care, and we bring them to daycare facilities. Still, many people who don’t have pets don’t understand how special these relationships are. As a result, these people may say something like, “Why are you so upset? He was just a cat. (or dog, or snake...)” For this reason, it’s important for people to find an outlet for their sometimes overwhelming emotional overload. You could talk to others who have gone through a similar experience. Family members or friends may by sympathetic, or even blogs can help. There are also Pet Loss Support hotlines such as the one through the ASPCA (877-474-3310). This is also good for those who may be feeling guilty for their pet’s passing, as when a pet owner gives consent to having their pet euthanized.

Grief takes time to pass, but some other things you can do to help yourself move on while still honoring your pet are 1) create a living memorial by planting a tree, 2) share your memories by writing a poem or making a scrap book, 3) make a donation in your pet’s name, and 4) keep something special like ID tags or a lock of hair or pawprint.

To quote from the “Rainbow Bridge”:

“ And when you and your special friend finally meet again, your hands again caress the beloved head, you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet,… and you cross the Rainbow Bridge together”.

Till next time, Dr. Steve

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