[metamorphose702]

I know this may be quite trivial to some, but my pets mean the world to me. My dog, Maggie, passed away last August, less than a week before I came home from residential treatment. I am still mourning her passing. But then yesterday, I was woken my dad who informed me that my guinea pig, Spencer, wasn't looking well or eating and he was taking him to the vet. I visited him with my mom last night, knowing that if he didn't make it I would really regret not doing so. I held him for over an hour. He looked terrible, worse than I'd ever seen, and the doctor said that he had about a 20-30% chance of making it through the night. We thought we should give him that chance. However, right before we were about to leave and the vet tech put him back in his cage, he laid on his side, twitching, curled up in almost a fetal position. I immediately knew we had to put him down. The vet tech picked him up and carried him out to get the vet who had been treating him. When he returned less than a minute later, he informed us that my little guinea pig had passed in the woman's arms. I'm in shock, alternating between periods of crying hysterically and feeling nothing but emptiness. He seemed absolutely fine the night before. I can't believe he is gone. I don't really know how to cope with his passing, especially seeing as my dog passed just 6 months ago, my dog who I grew up with since I was 10 years old. I guess I just need some support, and maybe some suggestions as to how to cope with losing him.

Losing a beloved pet is hard. I'm not sure what anyone can do to make it easier. Maybe it shouldn't be easy. Mourn and keep the pet alive through memories.

[optimize990h]

Hi metamorphose702. I am sorry for the loss of your Maggie and Spencer. I understand the heartache my best friend cockatiel named Money passed away last year. Here are some links that might help your grieving of your losses.

Berkeley Parents Network: Death of a Pet

Time to Let Go, Dealing with the death of a pet
Coping with Pet Loss: Grieving the Death of a Dog or Cat
Coping With the Death of Your Pet : The Humane Society of the United States

[metamorphose702]

Thank you. That really means a lot, what both of you said. I'm going to check out those links right now And Optimize990h, I'm very sorry for your loss as well..

[big zero]

I'm so sorry for what happened. Loss is never trivial; I hope no-one here would ever think like that.

Right now, don't be afraid to let yourself grieve and mourn your loss. When the time to move on comes, you'll know it in your heart. And cherish the good memories, like George H. said...

[Voltin]

I've been where you are with your loss many times , it never gets easier . But , I'll tell you what has been told to me , " When your pet came to live their life with you , they hit the jackpot " .

Loss of a beloved pet is never trivial. Pets are more than animals, they are like family members. They are our companions who provide us with unconditional love and support. I'm sorry for your loss.

I lost a cat two years ago to kidney disease. I had to have him put down and it was the absolute worst feeling in the world to watch him slowly pass away as the veterinarian injected him. I had to attend grief counseling for a few weeks, which may sound crazy to some, but it truly helped me because that cat was with me for a long, long time. So I felt like I'd lost part of myself when he passed away.

You need to grieve right now and that will come and go in waves of emotion. Just know that what you're going through is completely normal.

[yellowted]

losing a pet, no matter of their size or how long you were together hurts just as much if not more than losing a human friend, so it definitely is not trivial. you will and have every right to grieve for both your dog and guinnea pig.
Whenever a pet of mine passes away, i burry them in either my garden or at the graveyard by my late partner. I then place a plastic box over the top with a heavy pot of flowers on top to keep wildlife from digging them back up. that way they are still close by, with their passed friends and given a good send off.
if your guinnea was one of a pair, make sure to give the remaining one lots of attention and cuddles as it will be grieving too.... yes pets do grieve, i once had a gerbil squeek constantly for a whole week until i couldn't bear hearing him so sad and went and bought him 2 baby gerbils to care for. Only when he was introduced to them did his squeeking stop.

[Kendyll]

I'm so sorry for your loss.
I lost my 21-year-old Baby cat and Mr. Precious (another cat) within one week last year. We were expecting Baby which was Sad enough, but then a few days later Mr. Precious got really sick overnight and died within hours. Blew me out of the water - he was fine and then he was dead.

It's always hard to lose the ones we love. Human or animal - doesn't matter. it still hurts. Hold them in your heart and know that they are now at peace, without pain or fear, in eternal joy and happiness. And I believe you will see them again, when it's your turn to go. I look forward to seeing Baby and Mr. Precious, and Booda and Toby and Sherman and Kingford and Gus and Skinny and Puffy.

Have you checked out www.petloss.com? I really like that website. It helps me a lot whenever I lose a pet.

[lizardlady]

Loss of someone we love is never trivial, whether it's a human or a pet. My pets are my family. Can't tell you the number who have come and gone in my life, leaving paw- and hoofprints on my heart. I'm going to repeat what others said - allow yourself the chance to grieve. I'm sorry about Maggie and Spencer.

[Travelinglady]

Me, too. I still miss pets I've had from years gone by. Each one is special.

[luvinglife2012]

Losing a pet isn't trivial sweety. Do like I did: Cry! Cry! Cry! Cry! You loved them and they were important to YOU! I held my cat Theo in my arms while he died, it was awful! I still grieve the loss when someone mentions him. Then a year later my other baby Patrick (a cat) died. It's difficult.

I give you lots of hugs! (((HUGS))) Big hugs!

I have two new cats now, Liam and Bijian, and I still have my Victoria. i love them like the others! You be sure to come back here and let us know how you are doing. We will hold your hand!

[geez]

Thank you so much for posting this thread. I have to have my dog euthanized tomorrow just after having my other dog pass away two weeks ago. This is a really hard time right now for me and my family. I know how hard it is.

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by geez

Thank you so much for posting this thread. I have to have my dog euthanized tomorrow just after having my other dog pass away two weeks ago. This is a really hard time right now for me and my family. I know how hard it is.

Oh, that is terrible...

Loss of a beloved pet is a very big loss. I remember all my dead pets, one cat and lots of pet rodents. Do not want to think about it but eventually my cats whom I have now will die...

[Sabrina]

I am so sorry for the loss of Maggie and Spencer. Be kind and gentle with yourself.

[Yoda]

I am sorry for the loss of your pets.

I'm sorry you've lost Maggie and now little Spencer. I know how lonely it feels to lose your pets, especially when you lose a second one before getting over the loss of a first one.

I lost two of my pets within a short time of each other, after having them both for many years.

When I lost my first dog, I had to sleep at a friend's house for the first few nights after because I couldn't handle coming home without my little dog being there. I left her bowls and beds out for months before I was able to put them away.

Losing our pets is heartbreaking because they become such a part of our lives.

I'm not sure what advice I could give you to make you feel better - you've experienced a loss so it's normal for you to grieve and it feels so hard to handle at times. Do you have a friend you could talk to? I found that it helped me, especially talking to friends who had animals of their own, because they understood why I was so upset.

I hope you start to feel better, soon.

Bluey