A reminder...

[SquirrelsaurusR]

I had a dog named Uma that was very friendly, healthy, energetic, happy, never showed aggression toward anyone, and loved a good game of tug o' war with a toy made from an old pair of jeans. She died yesterday, just a few days shy of her third birthday. Seems she had an auto-immune disorder that suddenly appeared out of nowhere and caused her immune system to attack itself. A few days ago she was playing with the kids as usual, and within a couple of days she was gone, just like that. After I explained to the kids that she wasn't coming back, I later found my six-year-old son in his room, packing a suitcase full of toys because he wanted to get on a plane and go to Heaven to be with his dog.

My point here is to offer a reminder, as I was given one yesterday: If you have kids, or a pet, or both, cherish them every day, because you never know when something unexpected may suddenly happen to take them away.

 

[hobbles]

yep

 

[Flint50]

So true, we tend to take everything for granted. Including people and pets.
Sorry to hear of your loss, and especially your kids, as they seem to take it the hardest.
Hang in there my friend..Flint50

 

[TANSTAAFL]

Always hard to lose a beloved pet, they are often like family.

 

[vradin]

Yeah. Been there, still hurts. Wish there was more I could say. :sorry:

vic

 

[Stumpkiller]

Condolences to you and your family on your loss.

Helping Children Cope with the Loss of a Pet


The loss of a family pet can be a traumatic time for everyone. Coping with this death in the family can be particularly difficult for children.
Parents will know the best way to tell their children about the loss. We recommend that you explain that death is a natural part of life. Tell your children that you are thankful for the time you had with your pet and that you will treasure the precious memories of happy times together. If your pet was injured or sick, explain to your children that your pet is no longer in pain and that you are happy for that. Children do best with simple, honest, straightforward answers to their questions.

Very young children do not understand death and will often cope better with the loss because they do not fully realize what has happened. Older children, however, may need more time. "Often children have delayed reactions to the loss of a pet, or they might say unusual things about the pet," says Nancy Peterson of The HSUS's companion animals section.

During this sad time, be there for your children. Encourage them to talk about what they are experiencing and tell them how you feel about death. "It is important for adults to express their grief and to serve as a model for children to express their own sadness. If adults don't grieve, it sends a signal to the child that the pet wasn't important," says Peterson.

Even though a pet's death is a trying time for your family, a valuable lesson about life can be learned: The grief will subside, but the happy memories will always remain.

 

[Rebel]

Loosing a loved pet can be as hard as loosing a friend or family member. You don't realize just how attached to them you are until they are no longer there. Bset wishes to you and your family. Maybe a new puppy for the son is needed?

 

You have my thoughts . Hard to loose a good friend , one who always sees only the best in us . Take care. :imo:

 

[Cherokee]

Sorry for your loss. I lost my best friend in sept had him 13+ years yellow lab mix. I swear he knew what I was saying.
Its tough especially trying to get kids through it too.

 

[Halftail]

Sorry for you loss.I can relate ,a couple of months ago our 10 month old Chocolate Lab,Domi, was struck and killed by a truck.He was part of the family.Slept in bed with us and he was most loyal and loving pet.
Around Easter I suprized the family with another Lab ,this time a Yellow.....We love this one already and she will not replace Domi.It's good to have another one around.... :sorry:

 

[Dave Poss]

Sorry to hear about your pup.....3 years is still a pup. I've been there a few times in the last 50 years, and it never gets easier to lose a companion. The only way I ever got over it was to get another dog as soon as possible to occupy my time and give "love" to. It really helps not to get another dog that looks like the one you lost...saves alot of comparing. Again, my thoughts are with you and your family. :cry:

 

I have not heard of this disease. Is it a canine form of AIDS? Did the vet say how it is acquired?

BTW, I agree with your conclusions - death comes like a thief in the night. My neighbor accidentally burned himself recently while helping a local kid with his truck. The first day in the hospital, his neck swelled and shut off the blood to his brain, leaving him a vegetable who is expected to die in the next couple weeks. He walked into the hospital on a Sunday afternoon and that was the last time anyone spoke to him. Life is precious.

 

My point here is to offer a reminder, as I was given one yesterday: If you have kids, or a pet, or both, cherish them every day, because you never know when something unexpected may suddenly happen to take them away.

I know how you feel, we lost the family cat a while back, Boo-Boo, a Chartuese, old and rare breed. Chartueses are faithful like a dog, loyal to the owner not the location. He would go and meet the kids at the bus stop when they got home from school. He would scout the brush to make sure we were safe when we walked in the brambles. He developed saddle thrombosis. And instead of crawling off to die in some hidden spot like many cats do, he crawled to our youngest daughter's crib and laid there meowing, confused why he couldn't move his rear legs. I miss that dang cat, he could be a rascal and a rogue, but he was good people. Weighed 20lbs, and it was all muscle. Goodbye Boo!