[lostmary]

Hi all,

This past weekend and today has been pretty hard. My dog of 18 years went downhill quickly, and we knew she wouldn't last till Monday. Well, she did, and we had to sent to the rainbow bridge yesterday morning. Last night was the first night in 18 years where she wasn't in our bed. It's been very hard to sleep since Sat. I've spent every night laying next to her with my hand on her side to keep track of her breathing. I wanted to be touching her if she passed. With all that going on my rsd has really flaired. I think it's emotional, but it hurts just the same. I'm spending the day in bed today, and I'm sure I'll start feeling better later. I think emotionally, I've just over ruled the pain meds. As the pain of losing my Chelsea subsides, I am pretty sure my rsd will ease up and my meds will work again.

Hugs
Mary

[ali12]

Oh Mary, i'm SO sorry to hear about the loss of your beloved dog and that you are in so much pain right now !!!

We had to have our 14 year old Springer Spaniel, Ben put to sleep just over a year ago and it was SO hard and my RSD pain really flared up also. He was always there for me whenever I needed a hug and I think he always knew when I was having a hard time of it.

My mum and dad said that they weren't going to get another dog but it was so quiet in the house without one so we decided that we couldn't live without one and got another the next day! Our new dog, Jack is just the same as Ben and reminds me of him lots - he is always there for me - I think sometimes pets have a better understanding than humans!

One of the things that helped me when we had to have Ben put to sleep was to make a scrapbook. I put all of his pictures in it from him being a puppy to being big. It was hard to look at it at first but it did help. I also have a 'memory box' where I have his leash and collar, his brushes, favourite toys etc in it. It might be an idea for you to do that also - maybe not now but within time, when you start feeling better!

I'm sorry that you are having to go through all of this right now!! It's one of the hardest things ever to lose a pet as they are like family. I know that you did a great job in taking care of Chelsea though and she was lucky to have you as her mommy.

Take care of yourself and if you ever need/want someone to talk to, I am here for you!!

[CRPSbe]

Mary,

That is horrible news. I'm so sorry to hear your dog has passed on. I'm sure she spent 18 wonderful years with you. Try and remind yourself of that and of the very best moments with her.

Please don't forget to take care of yourself!

[RSDLynnie]

I'm so sorry about your dog. Pets really are other members of our families and all the grieving steps that we have to go through are the same for people of pets we lose. Although I already had a dog, I looked over the internet for months for my therapy pet. While I rarely laugh any more, she usually can make me laugh with her antics, she's my bed partner making me feel not so alone at time, and suffers to let me cry while I hold her. Yes, of course, emotional trauma will impact the physicial both positive and negative. I hope that you get through this new crisis your body will adjust and you'll start feeling better. Lynnie ONE MOMENT CAN CHANGE EVERYTHING!

[loretta]

Mary, I am so sorry for your lose of Chelsea. What a precious gift our pets are to us. They really do sense our pain and provide such comfort. Emotional pain really does flair us up doesn't it. We have a cat of 9 years, Sabrina. She is a maincoon and loves to sleep right next to me. Our daughter and son-in-law moved back from Chicago with their min-pin dog. Dogs are so special. They are staying with us temporarily and my husband and I are so attached to her.
I see by your picture, you have a cat too. Pets add so much to our life and happiness
Please know we really care about what you are going thru. Take care, and if you don't get pain relief, maybe your Dr. will give you something temporarily to tide you thru this difficult time. Hugs to you too, loretta

[angelrsd]

mary

im so sorry.. i know how hard this is. our poor max died last january and it was so hard on all of us.. please know that i am think of you and anything that you need let me know. hang in there hun .. try and get some rest..

carrie

[AintSoBad]

I'm so very sorry to hear of you losing Chelsea......

I hope that you're able to concentrate on all the fun memories that Chelsea has left with you!
Prayers for your comfort...

pete
asb

[daniella]

I am so sorry. I know when my mom lost her dog which was like her baby it was so hard but with time she can remember the fond memories and all the joy he brought. I hope you in time can do the same. I encouraged my mom though she did not but to go to a support group for people who have lost their pets so I was going to suggest that as well to you. Give yourself time and I hope this won't impact your physical pain too much. Many thoughts

[lostmary]

That you all for your kind words. Chelsea IS in a better place. She was so bad at the end that it broke my heart to watch her suffer the last day till we could get her to the vet. Hubby and I held her and told her she could finally run again and to go find her sister, and my best friends cats, dogs, and horses. She went very peacefully. I still have 2 other doxies, now 2 kittens, and my 3 horses. They keep me busy, but Chelsea has been so special and kind. The last words my daughter said to her was to please hang out at the bridge for a while, and it would be great if she would come back as her baby when she gets pregnant. I thought it was a beautiful goodbye.

My pain is getting better now so it's getting back to normal. One thought I've always keep in my mind. I used to be a vet tech, and we were putting a mans' dog to sleep. He was crying, (we all were), and my boss asked him " would you give up even one moment of have her to avoid not feeling this pain" of course, the answer was no. So for me also, the answer is no.

Hugs
Mary

[SandyRI]

Dear Mary,

I had to put my Doxie down when it was only a year and a half old because it was sick - it was so awful. I am really sorry. Our pets are special to us in a way that only fellow pet owners can truly comprehend. Take care of yourself, Sandy