Eclypse Posted November 18, 2009 Posted November 18, 2009 Hi everyone, I hope the coping board is the right place for this... 2 weeks ago my family bought a puppy. We'd been planning it years. She was the cutest thing we ever saw. But she got sick soon after we brought her home. We quickly brought her to the vet who recognized she had gotten canine parvovirus, which she must have got in the store. For the last week, she had been hanging in limbo and even seemed to be getting better. But this morning we get a call that she died. I'm devastated. We all developed such a bond with that little dog, even though we only had her for such a short time. I just don't know what to do now... it feels like all the colour just drained from the day. Life is so fleeting I've realised. It really is cruel isn't it? Maybe some people were just destined never to have dogs. I just don't know what to tell my little sister when she comes home from school today. She was perhaps the most attached to the dog out of all us.
AliveAndKicking Posted November 19, 2009 Posted November 19, 2009 I'm sorry about your loss. The death of a pet can really knock you down for sure. Good site: http://www.petloss.com Maybe this will comfort you a bit: 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 _____________ Best wishes.
soheartbroken Posted November 19, 2009 Posted November 19, 2009 Hi. I'm sorry for your loss. Having her life in limbo for that week must have been very traumatic, as is having to tell your little sister. Try not to let this one experience dictate whether or not you are "destined" to own a dog. Perhaps out of this death you will grow a new appreciation for life (perhaps the life of another dog some time from now)?
norajane Posted November 19, 2009 Posted November 19, 2009 I'm so very sorry for your loss. It's one of the hardest things to bear. It is not, however, a sign that you are "destined" not to have a dog! It is a sign that animals kept in close proximity will catch viruses, sometimes with devastating consequences. There is something you can do that will make you feel better, when your family is ready. Instead of a pet store, please go to your city's Anti-Cruelty Society, or other pet shelter. There are many, many wonderful puppies and dogs there who need homes...soon. You will be saving a puppy's life by adopting from there. And there is nothing like saving a dog's life to help make you feel like you were "destined" to have that dog in your life.
carhill Posted November 19, 2009 Posted November 19, 2009 Our local pet supply store has a cooperative program with our local SPCA (animal shelter) to offer shelter animals for adoption for a nominal fee. They have a whole cage section at their stores dedicated just to this one mission, to adopt as many animals out as possible. 20 bucks cash and you get a spayed/neutered animal which has been screened and has its shots. The Siamese in my album is one such animal. After my stbx left and took our cat, he's literally been a lifesaver for me. OP, my deepest sympathies for your loss. The length of time having a pet in no way correlates to the emotional attachment and sense of loss. Even one enjoyed for the most brief length of time can be devastating when they go. I hope you find another animal you can love. It is truly the gift which keeps giving
Trimmer Posted November 19, 2009 Posted November 19, 2009 I like to think that, for the short time that puppy was with you, and struggling to hold on, she was lucky to have a caring human family to bond with. If you need to think of it in terms of destiny, she was destined to "get" you, and she was lucky for that.
clv0116 Posted November 19, 2009 Posted November 19, 2009 It's hard losing a beloved pet, I've lost a few myself. All I can say is that it get's better faster than you might expect. Also, periodically I remember my little buddy and smile.
Author Eclypse Posted November 20, 2009 Author Posted November 20, 2009 Thanks for the replies I guess I was a bit melodramatic with the "not meant to be" thing. I've always wanted a dog. My sister didn't take it too well. In fact I was unaware humans could produce such high pitched crying! I'm a little bit better today, and so is she... but it still hurts. Everything we see reminds us of her. The little bed, the food dish etc. I just don't have the heart to throw them out, but I just keep imagining her playing around with her chew toy. We are talking about what to do next. We've all agreed not to get a new dog for at least a little while, until the pain from this one is over. The main issue we now have is that the virus is all over the house. It lives for several months, and if we bring in a dog thats less than 5-6 months old it could quite possibly catch it. We'll have to discuss our options.
Ody Posted November 20, 2009 Posted November 20, 2009 Aww, that's so sad! I'm so sorry. I once had a little kitty die before he was fully grown and I was so heartbroken - you must feel terrible. I'm glad you're thinking of getting another dog in a few months when the virus has gone, and I agree with the other poster that adopting from a shelter and adopting a new wonderful pet. It's what I did, and it was a great choice for me, I think it would be for your too...
Thornton Posted November 20, 2009 Posted November 20, 2009 I guess you've learned a very important lesson about not buying dogs from pet stores! Seriously, a pet store is the last place you should ever go to buy a dog - they're bred in such terrible conditions and shipped out before they're really old enough to leave their mother - do you know anything about puppy mills? Puppy mills usually sell their "stock" through pet stores. Next time, either choose a dog from a shelter or contact a reputable breeder of your chosen breed (i.e. someone who is a member of a breed club and has significant experience in breeding healthy dogs). If you contact the local club for the breed you're interested in, they can usually tell you which members might be able to provide puppies in the near future. The wait might be a bit longer, but at least you'll get a healthy and good quality dog which conforms to the breed standard.
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