i was forced to put my dog down 2 years ago because she was 18 and had cancer really bad the last 3 months of her life... in 3 months she went from healthy to skin and bones and couldnt eat and only drank water and couldnt control her bowels.......well i feel guilty... u see a few years before that i left home for college and left her with my dad, and because of differences with my dad i barely came over, and i miss her soo much.. the night we put her down, the whole family of 8 people was in the room and she completely ignored me, but went right over to my boyfriend and every one else.. i feel so guilty and miss her so much and feel like its my fault she died and hated me. i was her favorite human and she was my best friend and i deserted her...i cant get over feeling guilty to this day and miss her soo much , i wish i could go back in time and visit more often and take her to sleep over my place... i dont know how to not feel guilty.. she wouldnt even acknowledge me that night..
2007-07-03 17:02:39 · 14 answers · asked by divinemadness 4 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
You shouldn't feel bad about that night, in the wild animals usually run away to die because they don't want their pack to see them in a weak state, they want to be remembered as a strong contributing member of the pack. Your dog was most likely just trying to show you that. It is difficult when a close member of the family is lost and moving through the stages of grief is never easy.
Your pet loved you unconditionally and would just have been happy with the time that you spent together, if you had died first your pet would have been upset and missed you but would have continued her life much as before you were even there. Try to take comfort in that and do the same.
2007-07-03 17:10:12 · answer #1 · answered by Officer 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I understand how you can feel upset and even guilty it's a huge loss. Some people don't understand the bond between you and your pet and how badly that can hurt. You will never forget how much you loved your dog, but the pain will eventually dim. It's the natural instinct of animals to die alone so it's got nothing to do with you, don't worry about that. Instead of feeling negative maybe try to do something positive for animals. Put together a drive at your local shelter, volunteer your time, support an animal cause, something that makes you feel positive. Eventually, you may be able to adopt a new dog when the time is right and the pain will fade more.
2007-07-04 00:21:16 · answer #2 · answered by goddesshonibea 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
She probably got cancer because she was very old and not because of you leaving for college. She lived to a ripe old age so you obviously took good care of her and its not your fault that she died. I know how it feels to lose a pet...it hurts- and it's natural to feel guilty and think that it's your fault even if it isn't. If you're a spiritual or religious person that believes in an afterlife for animals like me then that will help you get through the day.
2007-07-04 00:08:11 · answer #3 · answered by Betty Mae Bop 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I understand that completely. I put down my cat 14 years ago and I still miss him. I even had a tee-shirt made with his pic on it.
I felt guilty too, I missed all the signs of him going down. I just missed them, I was a mother of young kids I was working full time. The cat was fed and cared for and slept with me at night but I missed the clues that he was ailing.
I just kept a pic of him in his healthy years next to my bedstand and thanked him for all the mice he kept outta my house.
But I still miss him.
2007-07-04 00:21:17 · answer #4 · answered by Milmom 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I feel for you...but you did the right & most humane thing possible to help your pet. Pets don't recognize time like we do, she lived a very long and happy life...you have absolutely nothing to feel guilty about. She loved you & she knows you loved her...remember that.
2007-07-04 03:00:22 · answer #5 · answered by Ivyvine 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's not your fault.
Your bringing back memories of when we had to put our male black lab down. 14yrs old, and all of a sudden got deathly sick.
I will never forget the look in his eyes when he fell asleep.
This was our first time putting a dog down.
Your dog was very ill and probably didn't even recognize you anymore because of pain and being sick.
She knows that you loved her.
I feel for you, you'll be ok.
2007-07-04 00:09:58 · answer #6 · answered by Mom of 2 great boys 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Time will heal the hurt, but there is nothing that says you can't keep the good memories of your pet with you forever! I experienced a personal tragedy, and it was hard to get over the guilt but time has a way of healing you, but that memory stays with you forever, only it doesn't hurt anymore!
2007-07-04 00:31:47 · answer #7 · answered by musicman 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I understand your feeling guilty, but don't. It wasn't your fault. Things happen. You need to forgive yourself and let it go. Did you move on and have a new dog now? I hope so, it will help a lot.
As a spiritual person, I believe I will see all my deceased animals when I die. They will be there waiting on me.
2007-07-04 01:38:29 · answer #8 · answered by Soul Shaper 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Time will heal all wounds. I think you need some alone time, and a chance to talk with a professional about this. Grief is a complicated emotion and it is normal to grieve for some time. However, this is an extended period. Consider speaking with a professional councilor about this.
2007-07-04 00:27:43 · answer #9 · answered by camrylev6 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
sorry to hear that...yeah, it takes time to heal and I know what you mean losing a pet...my dad, who is retired now but he used to be Veterinarian and I had a cat long time ago in lot of pain, took the blood test only to find out sure sign of leukemia and died two days after..sad indeed.
2007-07-04 00:15:10 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋