[seesaw]

I'm going to finally say this aloud to you all, and please don't laugh or make light of the grief I have gone through and still go through about this, but I have to share it with someone because holding it inside is killing me. And I'm just too afraid to share it with anyone in person.

When I ended up having to be hospitalized back in 2014 and had to stop working, went on disability, etc. I eventually decided to move back closer to my family. Part of that capitulation was that I had to rehome my Great Dane, Blue. I found him a lovely family with some children for him to protect that he bonded with instantly. I have checked up on him a few times in the first year but now I leave them be. Although I do want to see him and now how he's doing. But he's their dog now. Sometimes I wish they would call and say they need me to take him back, but that won't happen.

So I feel this grief and loss already about having to part with him. He was a trained service dog (he and my other SD had different roles) and he was so unique and wonderful, he was my baby. And then it wasn't even that he was dead. He was in the world, being happy and cared for without me. I can barely think about it, to this day, that he is happy somewhere, being loved, and not by me.

The other part, that makes my brain entirely shut down...and I mean, I actually was suicidal over this and had to be hospitalized for the depression and grief...is that I do believe that when we die, we meet all our pets who left this earth before us and get to see them and be with them again. But Blue isn't mine anymore. He belongs to this other family and these girls. When he dies, he will wait for them at the Rainbow Bridge, not me. Even now, I'm starting to sob thinking about it. Every time I even remotely think about this idea I start to cry. I try to not think about it, but it's holding me back to not be able to accept he's gone, and I won't see him again even when I cross over.

It's so hard for me because my father murdered my dogs growing up and wouldn't let me be there to help them cross over. And I had to rehome Blue because of him.

I just think about when I die, and when I cross through the clearing and come to the bridge and cross over, all the friends I will see who have been waiting for me, and he won't be there...I just can't take it. Every time I think about, I start to have suicidal ideations (but don't worry, I'm safe and okay).

This affects me so much, if it catches me off guard or the topic comes up that's even remotely close, I start to lose it and have to excuse myself.

My dogs are the only people in my life who have given me unconditional love and loved me above everyone else and are always there for me. I could never rely on any human being.

I was so worried when I became a foster that I wouldn't be able to handle it... but I actually was fine with it, until Fish came along and we bonded so closely, I had to keep him.

I don't know why I feel so differently about Blue than I do about any other dog I've owned. Even if Astro went to another family, I know he'd be there for me at the bridge. Same with Fish. But for some reason I know Blue won't be. And that just destroys me.

Please don't laugh or think I'm silly. This has caused me such a tremendous amount of pain, and I haven't shared it with anyone, not even a therapist, and it is one of the major factors of my depression right now.

Seesaw

[*Laurie*]

Hi seesaw, I'm not going to laugh at all. I feel so, so bad for you. Losing a beloved pet is every bit as bad as losing a loved family member or friend. Sometimes worse.

[NeedHaldol]

I have had one of my cats since he was born. He is my best friend, besides my wife. We started in a small bachelor pad one room condo with a pool table for him to knock the balls around and jump on a bunch of stuff. I loved him from the start.

That was about 12 years ago. I don't know how long he will last even though he is healthy. I don't know how I am going to deal when he is gone. He has been such a big part of my life.

I don't feel your pain right now, but I can anticipate it.

I'm so sorry.

[Hairball]

Seesaw,
I don't understand what makes u think he isn't going to greet you, he knows you and will remember. Hold onto that!

All the cats that have died while I was at the rescue, I have no doubt they will know me when I get there. I didn't even own them, but I loved them and cared for them. Thats all they need to know.

[seesaw]

Originally Posted by Hairball

Seesaw,
I don't understand what makes u think he isn't going to greet you, he knows you and will remember. Hold onto that!

All the cats that have died while I was at the rescue, I have no doubt they will know me when I get there. I didn't even own them, but I loved them and cared for them. Thats all they need to know.

He won't greet me because he will have another family to greet. I won't matter to him anymore.

Seesaw

[CANDC]

seesaw, I am sorry for your loss. It was the nearest and dearest being to you at that time. It sounds like it was a lifeline for you. It certainly was a unique relationship.

I do not know for sure what greets us when we leave this world, but in my mind I hold that what love has brought together, nothing will break that bond. He may be in another family, but your relationship with that dog will not die in my opinion. There is infinite love in this universe. I certainly ponder if there is enough love so they could greet you as well. I would not doubt that is possible.

[Nammu]

I think dogs, cats, horses and other animals have the gift of being able to love more than one family at a time, that's a human thing, compartmentalism, pets have bigger hearts.

No one is going to laugh at you certainly not me. Losing a pet is like losing part of the family. My dog died 2 years a go and I still haven't got over it.

[unaluna]

Originally Posted by seesaw

He won't greet me because he will have another family to greet. I won't matter to him anymore.

Seesaw

My longterm t DID laugh at me when i told her a story about a particular animal. I know my current would not laugh at any of our stories, even though he might interpret them the same way, which is that we identify with these animals. As you say above, we wont be greeted, we dont matter. But to whom?

You stated a horrible fact about your father. Does that still bother you? Or how have you resolved it? I think the feelings are entangled.

[seesaw]

No, I haven't resolved the fact with my father. He was very abusive and that was part of his abuse.

[unaluna]

Originally Posted by seesaw

No, I haven't resolved the fact with my father. He was very abusive and that was part of his abuse.

Just wanted to say - my mother died two years ago, and yesterday i ran into a cousin-in-law, who said, oh we miss your mom! Anyway, i left the chance meeting feeling like, "boy is THAT person Asperger's!", meaning ME.

I'm not sure why im telling you this. Maybe because your job is so detail-oriented, as was mine. Thats where i hid? Because i didnt have an emotional connection with the person yesterday, just a detail-oriented defense-like connection, like i was proving i was connected because i knew dates and ages. But i dont show up, and im not invited (as my mother always was).

But we both show up here, with everything in full show, nothing held back. I think that means something. We learned not to cast our pearls before swine. To share our hearts with people who appreciate them.

Which comes back to, who is going to show up for you at the Rainbow bridge. I was raised Catholic, so i tend to not question mysteries. I mean, the definition of a mystery is that you cant figure it out! I kinda like that. So maybe how your doggie can be in two places at once will just be another mystery you will accept.

[bounceback]

I wouldn't laugh at you. There is nothing funny about losing a beloved pet whether it is to loss or having to give them up. Sometimes losing a pet is harder than losing people. Trust me I know. I wouldn't worry whether your pet will know you. Animals have a great memory and as long as you treated him well, he will remember that.

[crimsoncat]

hi seesaw,I too get incredibly attached to my pets,some more than others just become almost a part of ourselves,I also am giving the loss of people but not through death so can certainly say your pain is absolutely valid don't let anybody tell u otherwise x

[Woodchuck]

Hi Seesaw,

I totally get what you are saying.

My personal belief is that pets know and greet ALL of their human families at the Bridge. I adopt senior dogs, love them for as long as possible, and then help them pass peacefully. While I take comfort knowing that, for the majority of the ones I have adopted, their elderly owner had passed away and they will be reunited with them, when I pass I fully expect "check-ins" from my "guys."

I have no doubt that Blue loves you and will greet you when it's that time. Dogs have an infinite capacity for love, and they do not forget those who have loved them. You matter to him because you loved him and made the best decisions for him.

[seesaw]

Originally Posted by Woodchuck

Hi Seesaw,

I totally get what you are saying.

My personal belief is that pets know and greet ALL of their human families at the Bridge. I adopt senior dogs, love them for as long as possible, and then help them pass peacefully. While I take comfort knowing that, for the majority of the ones I have adopted, their elderly owner had passed away and they will be reunited with them, when I pass I fully expect "check-ins" from my "guys."

I have no doubt that Blue loves you and will greet you when it's that time. Dogs have an infinite capacity for love, and they do not forget those who have loved them. You matter to him because you loved him and made the best decisions for him.

Omg, your reply made me cry. You totally understand what I mean. I was his first mommy, he will remember me and visit me. It's heaven, so there's no reason he can't be two places at once.

[CANDC]

seesaw, and another thing to add to that wonderful reply by Woodchuck, is that you will never forget all the love and caring you gave Blue. You have not only changed Blue's life, by your loving Blue, you have uncovered a nurturing part of yourself that will never be lost again. That nurturing part of you can nurture you and nurture others. Love we share comes back to us in other ways. It is never lost.

[CANDC]

I saw this posted (thank you woodchuck!) on another thread about grieving pet owners. Thought you might like to see this seesaw.

The Rainbow Bridge website has forums and chat. They also have a weekly candle-lighting ceremony for pets who have passed on.
https://www.rainbowsbridge.com/Grief...pport_Home.htm

This site also does candle-lighting.
In-Memory-Of-Pets.com (turn down your sound for this one)

Tufts Vet School runs a grief hotline staffed by vet students:
https://vet.tufts.edu/petloss/