We grew up together and my mom told me stories of how he laid on my face, and how we were best buds. I carried him by the neck and would aggravate him. As I grew he grew old. When my dad and I would go for walks he would wait for me by our gate. He always loved me as I loved him.

Life was great until 3 days ago when he had a stroke that impaired him alot. We had to feed him with a syringe and water. He had no control of his tail or right side. We thought he would pass naturally within a few days, but he didn't. After the third day, today we had him put down. I was there by his side with my mom but the vet made us leave to give him the shot in the heart. The vet said he had gone instantly, and had no pain.

When he had the stroke happened on the second day I laid in the grass with him and thought to myself, its time. I had told him that I will miss him every time I got up to do anything, just in case. I thought to myself i'm ready for him to move on and stop suffering. I didn't cry during the short procedure. We had taken his empty "God given vessel" home to bury. Now there he is outside my window next to the wall lies the body of my beloved Sonny.

I told my mom I wanted to go to school to keep him out of me mind. It was the most depressing 3 hours ever. All I could do is think about him and mourn in my head. I also said some things to people that I didn't mean, and for those I know and I share this with, i'll tell you later. I had come home after school thought of him outside my windows and cried mourned and thought of all the good times, bad times. And I thought mostly about how on the way, he had climbed with one paw up my shoulder and stayed there comforting me. He knew it was time. When it was over he was in a carrier, the vet handed it to me and said he had no pain and he went really really fast and that he was ready. She said to me and made me tear up he was in a better place now. I thought, why can't I go with him.

I will miss him until we meet again. Knowing so doesn't relive the pain like I thought it would but it helps a little bit. The mourning process is still bad and I am unwell but he lives with me in my heart and memories and we will meet again. I try to think of it like he moved to a far away country. I was there when he went and it was sad. I knew I had to and he would be there with me spirituality from now on and to not be too sad. On 4/20/12 at 10:36 he was gone.

Well when they brought him home I asked my mom what his name was and they said Trey, but we had to name him different because I had a cousin named trey and it would have been to confusing.  After we thought it over with we came up with Scooter, I loved it and so did everyone else!  Scarlet our other dog (she is a short hair miniature dachshund) loved him as soon as Scooter stepped inside the door.  They played and played until it was time to go to bed.  The next day he came into my room and woke me up by licking on my face, he wanted to play so I got up and got dressed and went out side and played with him.

Years and years later my parents moved to Midlothian TX.  Scooter was about 13 or 14 years old, I couldn’t remember very well.  I thought he was just fine and he played as usual.  Then his birthday rolled around and we realized he was 15 years old.  One day I came over and Scooter wasn’t himself.  He didn’t eat and he barely even slept.  I thought that he had a stomach virus so that could be treatable.  Well 2 weeks later they were saying that he had cancer and there was nothing they could have done.  I was so mad and I just stormed out crying.  I just wanted to be left alone.

About 2 to 4 weeks later Scooter passed away in his sleep.  They found him just lying there not breathing.  I wanted to say one last goodbye and I never got to.  I miss my Scooter and I never stop thinking about him and I never stop crying because he mean’t so much to me!!!!!

 R.I.P my beloved Scooter – August 28th, 2010

Some people don’t understand, they think that because it was a small pet it is insignificant. But I loved her so much, and I miss her terribly and I wonder how I’m going to get through it.

 She loved sitting in the grass outside with me, I would protect her while she grazed. She let me hug and kiss her and she wouldn’t bite me, I’m really going to miss her a lot.

Digby was a very smart dog. Potty training was easy, as well as basic commands like sitting, lay down, and “No”. However, he also would take instruction for tricks, such as “bang” or “get the bee” or “give a ride”. Anytime you would motion like you were going to shoot him, Digby would plop down on the ground and put his legs in the air. If a bee was in sight all you had to do is say “get the bee”, one chomp and it took its last flight. The bee might have felt safe while flying around five to six feet from the ground, but he wasn’t. Give a ride was something that thoroughly tickled us. By the time our daughter was two years old, she could get into her Little Tykes wagon and Digby would pull her around the yard, delicately and cautiously, for hours at a time. Digby knew that she was young and needed guidance and care. A trait he always displayed around her.

When he was four we noticed him having some medical issues and scheduled tests to narrow down the problem. We were told that he had a condition with his liver and most likely would not live past the age of 7. This news was very disheartening and we worked around giving him a better lifestyle, healthier food, and spoiling him rotten. Come to find the condition was a misdiagnosis and Digby made out like a bandit for nearly a decade until the unfortunate news of cancer.

Watching an animal suffer is something that is very difficult. They are your children and part of your family. The decision to put this family member to a peaceful state, without forcing him to endure any further pain, is something we, as a family, chose to do. The process was very sobering. The experience of petting our little “son” until his heart stopped beating was a powerful event, not without great depression, but one with sentiment nonetheless. In fact, it has been several years since his passing, and neither I nor my wife drive down the Vet’s street anymore, even though it is right in the neighborhood. I mentioned it to my wife recently, and she had noticed that I won’t drive by the Vet’s office, either. It’s kinda funny, but after posting this, I think I will go for a drive through the neighborhood.

Move Over!

As annoying as this can sometimes be, this just one of the little things we all love and miss when dealing with Pet Loss.

So just enjoy it while you have it, and then smile and remember when you miss it.  ♥

I have had to “put to sleep” and gone through the pain and Pet Loss Grief with three of my furry friends in the last eighteen years.  Chuck our “Spotted Dog” as we called him because he had diabetes and went blind.  Noche, our long haired gray Persian cat that had cancer.  And  then Jordie, our most beloved and precious cat that developed renal failure.  Jordie loved me so unconditionally, and I her.  I have never  had a pet love me like she loved me.  She was such a special cat.  It is hard enough to “put to sleep” the one you love because of failing health… and in an act of compassion, but why should we “euthanize”  a helpless furry  animal just because there is not a loving homes to be found for them?

You know what I mean.  Anyone that has had to put down a loved one knows exactly what I mean.  We would give almost anything to have them back and have an opportunity to give them a second chance that the thought of needless euthanasia because of over population is intolerable.

There are so many dogs, cats and other small animals that are ready to be loved.  To spay and neuter our little ones is the only humane thing to do. Did you know that just two stray cats can produce over 100 offspring in only a few years?

If you think about wanting a little puppy, kitten or a well behaved mature animal, just go to any local animal shelter and take a look around.  There are literally hundreds of puppies, kittens and older animals wanting a good home.  It’s not their fault that no one wanted them.  How sad. That’s why the Humane Societies around the country offer free spay and neutering with all adoptions. They know that there are too many animals that are put to death for no other reason than that there are just  not enough homes to place these needy animals in.

So, even if you get a young dog or cat through a private party, please give considerable thought to having your pet spayed or neutered.  If your pet were to get out during “heat”, or as so often times happens some stray pet jumps your fence, the world does not need an unwanted litter.  How would you feel if one of these little pups or kittens had to be euthanized because you couldn’t find homes for them?

So please, won’t you consider following the Humane Societies lead to Spay and Neuter.♥

We are all aware of disaster planning for people, but did you remember to plan for your household pet?  It's not the time to figure out what to do when the disaster or emergency occurs. Not only will you be dealing with the trauma and aftermath of the incident,  but it will be even more devastating if you have to deal with the Pet Loss Grief of your furry friend because your Pet Died or they ran away during the crises.

Here are a few tips to help you prepare:

• You should keep properly fitting collars with ID tags on both your cat and dogs, even if they are indoor only.  You never plan for them to run away, but in an emergency it could easily happen and this way they can be returned to you.

• Have a kennel and care package for each animal packed and ready to go.  Some items to include are:

   

   

  • A leash and perhaps even a muzzle.  Even if your lovable friend is not usually aggressive,  fear may  turn them that way.  Bring a stake and tie leash for each dog so they don't always need to be confined in the kennel.

  • Pack enough food and water for a week.  Bring sturdy food and water dishes or feeders and remember a hand can opener and plastic lids for the opened can of food.

  • Make a copy of current veterinary records including vaccinations.  Having your vets phone number and address is a good idea.  Keep them stored in a zip lock baggie to keep them safe and dry.  These will come in handy if the originals get destroyed.  Also keep several current photos that could be handed out in case your little ones get lost in the confusion.

  • Pack medications just as you would for people.  Be sure to include a pet first aid kit.  You'll need wound cleaning and bandaging material.

  • Keep supplies to collect and dispose of pet waste.  Zip lock bags are good for waste, but also are good to keep fresh kitty litter.  Don't forget a kitty box and scoop.

  • Consider setting up a "support system" with neighbors, family or friends.  Having someone ready to step in and take your pets will be helpful.  Keep a list of names and numbers in the emergency kit.  Consider writing a letter of authorization in case your pet needs veterinary treatment.

  • Also don't forget to pack items of comfort.  You know you buddy the best, so pack his favorite blanket or toy.  He will be as stressed out during this time as you are.

You can never be too prepared for an emergency and neither can your pets.  Contact your local organizations that can help you in an emergency situation including the Humane Society, SPCA, Animal Shelter and even the American Red Cross.  They can also help you better prepare with their "Prep Lectures".  Remember to keep your kit current.  A good time to update the content is during the "Daylight Savings Time Changes".  You change the batteries in the smoke detectors, use this time to update medication, vet records, pictures and rotate in fresh food.

Taking these steps now can save you a world of heartache later.  Your furry friends will thank you!♥ 

If you have any ideas or items that I didn't mention, please let us know so we can all be prepared.

Wanted Alive! – Please Keep Me Safe!

Dogs especially, some just have a natural tendency to gnaw but sometimes they chew out of boredom.  Properly exercising your dog with vigorous play time will help in more ways than one.  They will be tired and ready to relax when they are indoors, but they will also be more happy and content and not look for the "bad" ways to relieve stress.

Cats aren't quite as bad as dogs but they have their moments too, we know how they love to eat the house plants!  Curly ribbons on packages and tinsel  on trees are just begging to be played with.  Unfortunately once they start to eat it they can't stop until the end of the ribbon.  It's one long string that they do not bite in two and then swallow so they ingest several inches or sometimes even feet of this hazardous material.

Top Ten Items Surgically Removed from our pets; It may be hard to believe but true:

1. Socks

2. Underwear

3. Pantyhose

4.  Rocks

5.  Balls

6.  Chew Toys

7.  Corn Cobs

8.  Bones

9.  Hair Ties / Ribbons

10.  Sticks

Knowing our pets habits  and moods can help keep them safe and out of harms way. It's up to us to keep our house and yard pet-proof.  Keeping them safe will also insure that you will not have to deal with the grief of a Pet Loss.  If you notice your pet becoming sluggish or have a decrease in appetite, it may be time to call your vet.  It's always better to be safe that sorry!♥

♦ ♦ ♦ For more interesting Ferret stories, visit my friend Laura's site ♦ ♦ ♦ http://loyalpetferret.com/what-objects-will-ferrets-eat-80.html

Keep your scheduled vet appointments, get all recommended vaccines and shots and ask what you can do to help prevent these common occurrences.

The Top Ten Cat Health Problems:

The Top Ten Dog Health Problems:

Help your furry family members live a long and happy life.  Proper grooming, exercise, and a good diet are just as important with our pets as it is to people.  Supplements for joint health and medication may also be needed as they get older.  Talk to your vet, they will be able to advise you on the best course of care and prevention.  If you don't yet have a vet, ask your family and friends.  You will want to find a clinic and staff that truly love your little buddy like you do.  Here's wishing you and yours many happy years.♥

I have written previous post about how to deal with grieving and pet loss and have recommended several other books, but I realized that even though I don’t have human children, I offered up books to help you help you’re kids make sense of the loss of their furry companion.  It wasn’t until I read Sid’s book, that it really dawned on me that as adults, we seem to just try to ignore our pain often in isolation because society some how says we’re being silly. She notes, “Unfortunately, our society on the whole discounts their grief as frivolous since they’ve ‘merely lost an animal.’ ”

In this very insightful book, she address the loneliness felt, and the lack of understanding by family and friends during our time of mourning.  She   says “People often report that they got over the death of a fellow human being easier than they did that of their pet simply because they were given permission to really grieve over the human and thus found the support they needed to process those feelings. This same support is often sorely lacking when the intense feelings of sorrow are a result of pet loss.”

Along with addressing topics in her book for the All-Important Grieving Process like: “The Price of Pain Avoidance”, “Knowing What to Expect Can Help”,  ”The Euthanasia Process” or  “When Other People Let You Down”, the book is also filled some really wonderful Submitted Stories.  Some make you smile, some make you cry, some both.  But what it does is to let you know you’re not alone in your feelings.

By the end of this book, you will begin the process of healing.  You’re not alone and you’re not crazy for feeling the way you do.  Thank you Sid for taking the time to help us mere humans get through, for some of us, what is the most profound loss we have ever felt.  I highly recommend this book!