Here we go again - anxiety triggered by pet loss

[NessieT]

Warning Long Post: Hi Guys I have never posted before. I am a 37 yr old married mother of two and I work full time. My husband is currently away for 6 months due back in Nov. I was coping alright, just worn out. Here is where the issues started. I have suffered panic disorder with associated depression since I was 21. I have been on medication most of that time but of course I still have flare ups as we do. On Friday I came home from work to find our 11 yr old dog who believe it or not suffered from anxiety in a state. Over the years he had been destructive, he escaped frequently, hurt himself, he even once ran through a window. We have tried medication, special training, special jackets amongst other things and in recent weeks I had to resort to tying him up all day. When i came home on friday I knew in my heart that it was not a nice existence for him. He was becoming snappy with his offsider so i called my husband crying. I said now what, what else can we do...he said what are you suggesting. I said we have been told for a year now that perhaps he needs to be put down. We both got sad and realised that this was the option. So I called our vet and took him down there. She was wonderful and talked through the things we had tried and how he was possibly going to get worse and what we were doing was the kind option. He passed quickly and peacefully with myself and my son there. A few hours later kick in the panic attacks, I felt like I had made the worse decision, yet I know intellectually it was the right one. Since then I have had panic attacks followed by levels of anxiety - you know the nausea, lack of appetite, shaking, etc and last night I didnt sleep......I just want to get back on an even keel, I know I need to eat but I have no desire to, I want to sleep but the racing thoughts and sweating keep me awake on and off....any suggestions, any ideas guys? I just want to feel normal again.

[Music_Freak]

Maybe you need to grieve for your dog? Maybe making a photo album or something will help you process what has happened...

Mindfulness exercises might work, or relaxation, there's plenty on YouTube, I've used them before to wind down.

There's also the therapy option, they may have suggestions. Are you seeing anybody? Maybe ringing BeyondBlue would help?

As for feeling "normal", we can't flick a switch and have it happen, sadly 🙂

Hopefully my suggestions are helpful, let us know

[topsy_]

I'm so sorry for the loss of your dog. Five weeks ago we had to make the same decision. Our Abby was very sick & we knew it was kindest to let her go. I had seen the signs for a few months & I had spent time with her thanking her for her always unconditional love & the time she spent with us. I told her we would always love her & never forget her.

Since then it seems so quiet without her (she was a small dog who made BIG noise!). I miss her sitting in my lap & sleeping in our bed. But I feel guilty for not missing her more. My husband has been very emotional since she went.

When I think of Abby I think of all the happy & funny times. I will treasure those memories always.

Its still a tough decision to have to make. I feel for your loss.

Take care, Lyn.

[geoff]

dear Nessie, I also want to offer my heartfelt sympathy for the loss of your puppie (dog) because their involvement with the family and their companionship is never ending, and to put your puppie to sleep is something I too can relate with as I had to put my puppie down after 18 years of pure love and devotion.
People will say to get another dog straight away, but it's not that easy to jump that hurdle, because we feel as though we don't want to take the love away from the one we have just put to sleep, but our love will always be there, so our acceptance of a new puppie will slowly grow towards us.
I was lucky as I had another puppie already, and even though I loved her I had to learn that I only had one puppie to look after.
You had made a decision that both you and your husband thought was the best option, and you have to remember that humans aren't the only living creatures on earth that suffer from a mental disorder, I know that this may not be proved, but you thought that by putting it down was the best for dog so it wouldn't hurt itself any longer.
My deepest thoughts for you. Geoff. x