I think I have a broken heart

[JustDenise]

Everybody knows that it's hard to lose a pet, but I never knew it would be this hard. I had no idea how much I loved him. I didn't even know how important he was until now. I just don't know what to do with myself. I'm just so sad:tearsaref . My house feels so wrong:sosad: .
I don't mean to be a pity party:violinist. I tried asking about a few young dogs in local shelters, but the response is always that they won't consider a family with kids under 12 for this particular dog...blah blah blah. So that isn't making me feel any better.

[Deep-Thots]

I'm so, so sorry for your loss!

Animals really do have a way of winding themselves around your hearts, don't they?

Your best bet is to try your county animal shelter. For better or for worse, they (rather than rescue groups) have less stringent adoption requirements. Good luck filling that doggie-shaped hole in your heart!!

Kim

[RweTHEREyet]

:hug: :hug: :hug:

It is hard to lose a friend and it seems you lost one of your best ones.

You will come across the right doggie for your family. You will know it when you find them and there are so many that need loving homes.

I hope your aching heart starts feeling better soon.

[gopherit]

How is the rest of the family handling the loss? :hug: Pets seem to "choose" a favorite person and likewise, people choose their pets; I know my DH's family dog decided from puppyhood that it loved everyone, but my DH was its A#1 numero uno favorite human. That poor dog mourned for him when DH left home to go to college...and DH in turn mourned for it when it finally died just a few years ago.

Pets certainly do fill our lives, so it's understandable you feel a void when that pet is gone. What breed did you say your dog was, such that shelters won't let you have one now? If it is a breed more prone to temperament issues, you might not want to rush into getting another. If per chance you got a dog of that same breed but it didn't have the obviously sweet family nature of your pet, you might resent it, and not be able to open your heart to it, especially in comparison to the pet you have lost.

I second the comment that you will find the right dog at the right time - and am hoping the pain ebbs a little each day as you work your way towards finding it.

[DisFlan]

I understand exactly how you're feeling. We went through the same thing recently. I know how badly it hurts.

We now have a new puppy, but you never forget a pet you loved. You'll always hold him your heart, and that's the way it should be. I sometimes think we don't find them, they find us - and you'll be "found" again. Just hang in there until that happens. My thoughts are with you.

DisFlan

[jiggerj]

Oh JustDenise many many :grouphug: for you- i just went thru a loss within the last 2 weeks- I do feel your pain and it is heartbreaking- I understand about the house just not feeling right - Hang in there and know that you are not alone- time for more hugs for you- :grouphug:

[luvthisstuff]

I'm sorry about your loss. I'm the mommy to 4 fur babies and many more that have passed on. Each loss has been difficult.

The right dog will come along at the right time for you and your family. Last July I lost one of my dogs, Hudson, to cancer. He was my first dog and frankly my favorite so I was pretty heartbroken. My kids decided they would get me a new dog for my birthday in August. They sort of pushed me to look for my "present" on a rescue site that I've used before. Somehow I just instantly honed in on a particular dog. When we got him home, it was uncanny how many of the same idiosyncrasies and behaviors this dog had to Hudson (including pulling the tablecloth off the dining room table, sending our dinner to the floor and eating it). I am now convinced that Hudson was somehow guiding the process. I guess that sounds a little wierd but I think it was my karma.

As time passes the right thing will happen to help you heal. Hugs to you and your family.

[PoohsPal]

I'm so sorry! It's such a loss. We lost our big dog in June and I still miss him. I came home just last week after a snow and looked ot see him playing bulldozer, as he loved. Nope. You'll never forget, bu it will get easier.

Warning, although I find the following very comforting, you may want some kleenex.

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

[DisFlan]

Carrie - that passage never fails to get to me. It helped me so much when we lost our lhasa, Oscar, last October. Thanks for posting it.

DisFlan

[PoohsPal]

I know, DIsFlan, I can just see our Bruno waiting for my DH. I know he'd have some tail wags for me too! ;)

[lllovell]

awwww Denise! I am so sorry for your loss hun!

*big hugs*

Laura

[Rozzie]

we lost our beloved Gracie this year. About 6 months ago. We still grieve, and have yet to get a 3rd dog. Everytime we think about it, we know we are not ready yet, because we feel we are replacing her, and she just can't be replaced. She was the sweetest most loving creature I have ever had contact with. Also her death was so sudden, and died in my arms, I have had *issues*, and want to take the process slow.

Time does not erase our wounds, but our hearts adopt to the hole in the heart they leave. I am so sorry for your loss. I wish I had some comforting words to make things easier, but I know the pain is so intense, only time can dull the pain. We are all here for you, and PM me anytime you need a shoulder to cry on.

[Colorado Belle]

I'm so sorry for your loss.
And yes, losing a pet does break the heart.
I guess most of us have had our hearts broken.

I guess it is the memories that help us thorugh; and sometimes a new, trusting soul comes into our lives that needs us as much as we need them...and it helps with our heart healing. The timing of that is very personal...so follow your heart.

I still cry for my lost pets. I still miss the joy they brought, and the laughter. I think our hearts might never really 'heal, ' but only 'adapt' to the holes in them. It would be nice to cross that Rainbow Bridge with them some day tho!

[Beca]

I'm SOOO sorry!!! Like many others here, we had to put our dog to sleep (while we were on vacation at WDW...I didn't even get to be there!!) last December. She was 18.

I miss her every day!!! We got two puppies for my dd for Christmas...I feel badly, but have had a hard time bonding with them. Our dd wanted them desperately, and she deserves to have a dog that "grows up with her"...but, we were not ready. However, last night we had to take one of our puppies to the emergency room...he was throwing up (we thought he had swallowed something he should not have...darn puppies chew on everything!!). I was really scared. It was the first time I realized that I did love him. :blueflowe I was really relieved to know he was okay.

However...he is not my Baby dog...I don't think that pain will ever go away. But, someone told me right after she died, "As hard as it is to go on without her....it's easy to see why God designed the relationship this way. Can you imagine if she had to go on without you?" It made me feel better!!

:flowerfor

Beca

[AFMom]

I'm so sorry.... We thought we lost our cat for about 20 hours - it was the worst 20 hours we'd had in a long time. We were fortunate this time, and we found him. But we were so heartbroken. I don't think you ever realize just how attatched you are to a pet until something bad happens. Our dog was bit by a snake last Sept and we didn't know if he'd make it (even with the vet helping), it was a nightmare.
I'm rambling. Take care and our thoughts are with you.