At which stage of pet loss grief do you feel you are currently at?
The first.
Gloria and Venus's Story so far
I got Venus when she was 7 wks old. She was the one in her litter to do things first--walk down steps, exploring, etc. She had a good temperment. I am single and was living alone when I got her. I wanted a companion and a guard dog. I worked part time then. When I wasn't working, she was with me. I took her with me everywhere. She loved riding the car. I socialized her around people and other animals. I talked to her constantly and she listened intently. I taught her commands and she eagerly learned and enjoyed being obedient. She became a Certified Therapy Dog when she was 3 yrs old.
She loved going to the Nursing Homes and visiting the "old" folks. When I would tell her we were going to visit the "old" folks, she would become very excited and anticipated our visit. She would lay her head on the beds of residents that were bedridden. She had genuine empathy towards people who were sick or had something wrong with them. She LOVED visiting the Nursing Home residents. We would put on a show for the residents--they enjoyed her following commands such as Speak, Speak Louder, shake, High five, stand up, lay down, back up, do Wiggle Worm. She loved doing hide and seek (objects or people).
She would help me do yard work--picking up sticks, pulling vines, etc. We would pet sit and she loved taking care of & playing with the puppies. She raised a Chow puppy from 5 wks old to 6 months old. She would kiss cats on command. I eventually got a companion animal when I had to work at home and she would not let me--she would lay her head in my lap when I was on the computer, bark at me, bring me toys, etc. Besides the Chow puppy, she had 3 companion animals that were rescue pets (2 from SPCA and 1 from Pound). One preceded her in death and now there is a boxer and papillionX left.
Venus was euthanized on Aug 22, 2009, due to a blood cancer that was not responding to treatment. She had internal bleeding and continued to lose blood. She was very anaemic and weak. I have lost my best friend and faithful, loyal companion. I have taken 2 days off work. I am crying and SO sad.
It's been 2 months. I'm still missing and sad over losing my companion and best friend. I don't cry every day now but I am still very sad. I ran across …
Sep 7, 2009 I got my t-shirts with pics of my Venus. It is comforting for me to wear them -- her pic is over my heart which is where she is now. I wear the shirt(s) …
8/27 - I have been crying daily and it is difficult to work. I am SO sad. I found a T-shirt place that makes personalized tees. I am having tee shirts …