Grief over the loss of pets

My sweet Angel - This is our oldest "child", ANGEL. She passed away on April 22nd this year. She was 16 yrs old. Isn't she beautiful? We don't know what she died from. She had been having seizures for a couple of months, and also a cough. But she came down with a fever the day before she died, and the night she died, she had a bad seizure. She came out of it for a little bit, and even went on a walk with me outside. When we came back inside though, she became disoriented again and laid down. She just faded away. Our hearts are still broken. She was a part of our lives for so long, and such a sweet baby. We'll miss her
United States
May 15, 2007 3:47am CST
Has anyone ever criticized you for grieving over the loss of a pet, and what was your repsonse to them? Also, do you find it as cruel as I do to tell a child that animals don't go to Heaven?!
1 person likes this
4 responses
scarlet_woman
@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
15 May 07
yes on both. almost punched an now ex-boyfriend for telling me "it was just a cat". maybe to you,but i had him longer! even if he thought that way,he could have been sympathetic to my grief :(
luvmypappy
@luvmypappy (23)
• United States
15 May 07
Exactly! My dogs have been WAY more loyal to me than most people. They are truly my best friends! My husband and I never had children, but our lives have been rich with love from our 4 legged babies down through the years. At times in my life when I battled depression, they were the only things that could make me smile. "JUST a dog" indeed!!!!!
CinderInMySoul
@CinderInMySoul (4717)
• United States
15 May 07
i tell anybody who makes mention of "how ridiculous" i am being for grieving over a lost pet to go screw themselves!! and..WHO would be so mean as to tell a child that their pet doesnt go to heaven?! now a person that does that DOES need there butt kicked..cause thats just plain being mean without any reason.
luvmypappy
@luvmypappy (23)
• United States
15 May 07
I agree. And you'd be surprised at how many cruel people there are. The way I see it, if believing in something brings someone comfort or joy, then why do some people feel the need to ruin that for them? No good can come from it
brand4less
@brand4less (1061)
• Indonesia
15 May 07
i lost my cat when i was still in college,i cried for days then i visited my friend and when she saw my swollen eyes she asked and i explained.she laughed at me!she said i was stupid, cried because 'only'a cat.i felt a bit hurt but i just silent,coz not everyone understand the feeling of losing something specially pet.i have no child at this moment,but if i have and they ask where the animal goes when they die,i will not say they go to heaven.i'll tell my kids they back to their creator because they have to.
Nickers27
@Nickers27 (51)
• Australia
15 May 07
After 7 years working at a Veterinary Surgery I have put to sleep alot of animals. It is always hard to help people through this time, it effects everyone very different. I have had alot of childern ask me that question and sometimes I get to answer it and sometimes the parents jump in and have their say. My response to the kids was always the same. "He is going to be really clever and be in three places at once, in your memories, up in Heaven and in your heart". This always went over well, even with parents that had other oppinions.