Loss of companion animal

[resistor]

Hi all. It's been a while. I hope you are taking care of yourselves.

This post to share my deeply personal feelings. I'm not altered and don't need immediate help. I just need a friendly ear.

Today I had to let my beloved pet go. He was an end stage cancer survivor. It's not the first pet I've said goodbye to. It won't be the last. It won't ever get easier. 

I find loss difficult to accept at first. Although grief isn't unfamiliar, it always hits hard. I still miss past pets from years ago. I have always loved animals and find emotional connexion with them easier than with people. 

I've been reading through the other posts on this forum, and I'm struck at the loss which everyone has faced. I realize losing a pet is not the same as a loved one, but the grief is no less. Pets are part of our family, and they have lives too. The love they give and receive are no less (it's just communicated differently).

I will miss the warmth and comfort of his snuggle. xxx

[Croix]

Dear Resistor~

Welcome back to the Forum, I hope it has assisted in the past.

I have found that a pet fills a unique gap in my life, although I have a loving family they do not give the same unconditional personal affection. Just to be followed round and sat next to generates feelings of happiness and in a weird way stability.

They all have strong characters, at the moment I have a cat (Sumo) that regards me as a doorman and general staff, but even he snuggles up when I'm writing.  Like you I have had to say farewell to many pets over the years, sadly their lives are always too short.

You are right the greif does not get any easier after each one and I've never found a shortcut. It takes a while before my partner and I will go for another -we always use the pound which results in use getting animals that are largely unknown and have had previous owners. Fortunately we always seem to pick ones with good natures. 

If you are curious as to how Sumo Cat got his name have a look here:

https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/staying-well/store-your-happy-memories-here/m-p/265320/highlight...

Sadly Zeppelin and Nasty have gone to that great breakfast buffet in the sky but Sumo still reigns supreme.

Croix

[resistor]

Thank you Croix, for the comforting words, it's appreciated.

The first days are the hardest, where I can't help but count the hours that have passed.

[Croix]

Dear Resistor~

You are quite right, at the start everything reminds you of the loss, even finding hairs they've left on the cushions, something that happens a lot with us.

Distracting yourself when you can plays a part, as does talking with friends or family -I used to wear them out.

Can I ask what you plan on doing in the long term?  While I'm not suggesting you rush out now having something to look forward to in the future can help too. 

Croix

[resistor]

Thank you for the kind reply.

I definitely need a long term plan, and not just to work through this loss but also to stabilize my major depression and feelings of loneliness, which has become severe and unmanageable in the past six months.

I an appointment to see a councillor next month, but beyond that I need to work out something long term. After all, a goal without a plan is simply a wish. And I've been through enough years to know that wishful thinking just isn't enough.

Thanks again for the kindness!