recently at my mom's house she buried our dog of 14 yrs, and a gerbil of 3 yrs. My mother has taken it pretty hard, what should I do? I would like to get her a new pet but she is adamant about not doing that, so I won't. She won't let anyone take the gerbil cage out and the dog food is still on the kitchen floor. I know she needs to grieve, but what should I do?
2007-03-11 10:43:16 · 5 answers · asked by Chetney W 3 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
When my mothers little Yorkie died after 16 years my mother was very upset too. I got her a card. And let her cry. After a while I bought her a Yorkie figurine and now she collects them. And she is thinking of getting a new dog now. I would just let her slowly put everything up on her own. A card is a nice way to show her you care and you could write a small note inside...you know how much she loved her pets and she made them all happy.....
2007-03-11 11:09:27 · answer #1 · answered by Cori W. 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Let your mother grieve, its the best move now. Grieving for an animal is the same as grieving for a person. She will go through the same 10 steps.
Be available to help by listening when she needs to talk. Don't try to fix anything right now. She will go through so many different mood changes, from anger to happy, to sad and back to anger.
In time she may want another 'forever' pet. But it can take a month or two or even a couple years, before something, somewhere catches her eye and sparks an opening in her heart again.
When I lost my cat of 21 years, I couldn't get another for 3 years. Then just like magic there she was, hungry, dirty, fiesty needing me as much as I needed her.
Now I have 4 and I am allergic to them. :)
I wish I hadn't waited so long, but now I'm settled in again with new kitties and dogs.
2007-03-11 11:14:26 · answer #2 · answered by anybody 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You should tell her that the dog had a happy long life with her, and you wish we all managed to reach his age (in doggy terms) and have this much care. We should be happy for pets or people who manage to have a happy long life, and they deserve to leave behond the nice memories not the bad ones. Also, tell her you found a dog in a shelter or an abandoned puppy that will be put down unless you find a home for it (which may be true), and she should take it in the name of your dog. Tell her it is not replacing or anything, just saving another dog, like her dog would want her to do.
2007-03-11 10:49:27 · answer #3 · answered by cpinatsi 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Everyone grieves in their own way. The best advice I have for you is to let her know that you are there for her and available to talk if and when she is ready. Other then that just let her grieve.
2007-03-11 10:49:56 · answer #4 · answered by Grace 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
just let your mom go through her greaving period and im sure in a month or two she will be ready to get another friend.
2007-03-11 10:53:58 · answer #5 · answered by xanthonyxmassacrex 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋