Thank you to my bevy of friends, on-line and IRL who supported me when my pet passed away. This was a tough week, and I know many of you have experienced similar losses. Pet euthanasia is always a difficult choice.
My adult children live on their now, so when my pet passed away, hubby and I have had to come to terms with a truly empty nest.
It is fair to say that everything feels a bit off now. Everything looks a shade different, a barely discernible, but stubborn prism in the back of my eye, so that life seems framed in a new way.
When my 14-year-old Shih tzu , Lucy, got sick last week I knew instinctively that there would be little to do to help her, without adding to her burden of pain. Five days passed, two hospital visits and 3 vet consults, and the painful decision was made.
Pet euthanasia was chosen as the most compassionate choice.
I have not been in the mood to blog, and no time for photo shoots. But I did notice that my iPad had put together a little clip on its own. Yes, scary and cool, what tech can do. I just changed the title. I am pleased with it because it does include some happier summer moments and two photos of Sam that I have been wanting to post.
Good memories of friends and sunny days do a lot to help me keep my balance ! Sweet friendship helps!
Below, is my little video clip. I hope you enjoy.
I know many of you have had similar heart breaking moments. It is hard to deal with an empty nest. But I still find myself sad at times, proud of my adult children and clinging to happy moments. So many of them!
Have you had to choose pet euthanasia ? It is a tough subject, but our pets can not speak. When they are ill or elderly, we have to advocate for them, and act so they do not have to suffer needlessly, to linger longer in this world just for our benefit. It is hard.
Have you had to make the painful decision for pet euthanasia ? Please share any experience with your pet or empty nesting, or anything else on your mind. I always value your feedback.
Happy weekend. Have a safe, happy and joyous holiday season, as it approaches so very quickly. Gosh I am so glad, my family will be gathered and we can be together, to mourn and celebrate each events it unfolds..
I am sitting here at my desk crying as I read this post. I know I will have to be making the same decision as my dog is 12 now and may have lymphoma… There is no pain greater than a parent loosing a child, as I have experienced that as well. But loosing my furry friend, confidant and comforter-in-chief will hurt as well
I am so very sorry Catherine!
Losing a child, is the very worst, and most tragic… and seems to go against the way nature has intended.
I am terribly sorry about your dog.. Lunch soon?
Love, Elle
Oh I’m so sorry for your loss Elle. It’s wonderful you got to have so much time with Lucy, what a great age she lived to be! It’s so very sad saying goodbye to our pets though! I still remember how upset I was when my goldfish passed away when I was young – we never had any pets after that so I’m dreading the day something happens to Cooper, I don’t think I’d take it very well and I’d do the same as you and withdraw for a little until I feel better. Don’t be hard on yourself, take… Read more »
Thanks dear Mica,
Yes, it was wonderful to have her in our family for 14 years and that is where I put my focus now. Enjoy your beautiful family and Cooper, time flies so quickly!
Xoox, Elle
Poor thing, I feel your grief. It is so so sad when you lose your pet. I have had to make that decision twice with my cats. I cried so much as I was saying goodbye to them, I couldn’t stop. And after they died, you burst out in tears at the strangest occasions/times. We now have Charlie, our dog who is 11. From the day Ron met his dog as a puppy, I have been dreading the day she will die. Ron is so totally besotted with this dog, he will be beyond consoling. So I know what your… Read more »
Thanks Greetje, week,said and exactly how I am feeling. I had been preparing for this as she was 14, but I cried my eyelashes off are fake, btw.
Yes you will have. A difficult time with Charlie… it isn’t better to have love and lost, and the memories I have of her are beyond wonderful..
Xoxo, Elle
Yes this is never easy and there is indeed an empty spot or something missing. Wish I could have met Lucy. But she will be with you in spirit so don’t despair too much. And yes that is quite scary that your iPad made a video on its own. Hmmm.
Allie of ALLIENYC
http://www.allienyc.com
Thanks you Allie. She was a special animal, they all are course. I am adapting slowly, but preroared myself for a while.. yes, the video…. my iPad categorized my photo, added a title, had music set… all of if. Getting it into my WordPress blog was a bit tricky.. and it was cut off, but I was grateful for the help, as this has been a tough time to create content. Hope you are well. Love to see you soon.
Xoxo, Elle
I’m so sorry Elle. They make our lives so much better, but this is the hardest part.
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
They do, they are such wonderful and warm companions!
xoxo, Elle
My condolences on the loss of Lucy. There is no way to fill that void. But like Greetje said, better to have…
And now I am freaked out by technology. It is a beautiful clip.
Thanks so much Melanie! You are right, it is a void that won’t be filled. Fortunately, a heart is open to so many good experiences… and that helps over time. Yes, that clip , freaky…it did not post full size unfortunately, but still, it created it and essentially prompted me to edit it and publish it.., yay, iPad. I will say it made publishing the post pretty wonky, I suppose a lot of information… so there are so small errors I still need to go back and edit, but I will try this neat little feature again.. Happy weekend !… Read more »
I had to put down my last pug before Zoë seven years ago. It was devastating as our lovebird also had to be put down the week before. We had them both for almost 17 years. My husband and I were heartbroken. We had picked up Zoë the very same day we had to put down Mitsou. We didn’t know that would be how it worked out but it did. I’m forever thankful that I had her to bring me back to the present otherwise I think I could have stayed in a dark hole of grief for a very… Read more »
That is heart breaking. 17 years is a lifetime. I ma so glad you have Zoë, and she is very lucky to have you. I agree, we people should also have a say in how much suffering we are willlimg to tolerate as well as medical interventions that are sometimes futile… thanks for this. Xoxo, Elle
Oh, my dear Elle! I’m so sorry for you and I know for sure you did the right thing! I think it is not fair for the pets to let them suffer. Personally, I don’t have the experience with pet euthanasia but more than two years ago our male cat Poldi got immediately sick and the vet thought he ate grass with spreaded out liquid manure. Unfortunately, the vet was not right as I think now that Poldi was poisend. His condition got worse and after a night he had obviously terrible pain I brought Poldi to his water bowl… Read more »
I am so sorry to read about Poldi. WE do know our pets best, I think. I am so sorry Poldi suffered even for one terrible day and night. How terrible for you that Poldi died in your hands, but comforting to him, I would imagine. Enjoy your son at home and the holidays as they approach!
xoxo, Elle
** died in my hands ***
that phrase did make me weep …
xoxo, Elle
Dear Elle, I had dogs all my life since I was very little . But sometimes dogs come back in the body of another dog , if it is meant to be . I believe that the soul of an animal or of a person never dies , they are aorund us to send us Love .
we are all part of a bigger Picture …..
Hope you feel better ,
Melania
That is a lovely philosophy. I do hope it is true. I do believe something of this sort, too, but it is difficult to articulate. Thanks so much.
Xoxo, Elle
I’m so sorry… Sending prayers and love xx
http://violettedaily.com
Thank you so very much ! xoxo, Elle
Dearest Elle,
I was blessed to have known Lucy and for you to have entrusted me with her care from time to time. Lucy was a true original and she (and her peppy steppin’!!!) will live forever in our hearts.We should all strive to be unselfish and compassionate in our thoughts and actions. Hugs, Deb.
And we were blessed to have you! Thanks so much for you heart and wisdom!
xoxo, Elle
Just be strong and always remember that she’s better now -better then us. It’s all that matters, right? I think that when think about my mom (just a year).
Send you all my love, keep smiling 🙂
Dasynka
http://dasynka.com
So sorry about your loss! You are sweet, and correct!
xoxo,, Elle
so sorry for your loss, I hope you are doing better. It was the best decision.
xoxo Falasha
Bite My Fashion
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Thank you Falasha! I so appreciate that.
xoxo, Elle
Oh Elle, I am so SO deeply sorry for your loss 🙁
I really never understood ones connection with pets until I got a pet of my own just a year ago. My cat is seriously my baby and part of my family – when he’s sick or hurt it really breaks my heart. So, although I have never lost a pet I just can’t imagine the sadness you are feeling.
The memories you have with Lucy will stay with you forever
xo, Allie
http://www.champagne-tuesdays.com
Thank you Allie! Enjoy your fur baby and have a wonderful thanksgiving!
xoxo, Elle
So sorry for your loss, Elle. I had to make the decision for my 17 year old dog, Roxanne, two years ago and it was hard but I know it was the right decision as she was suffering so much.
Both my daughters have left home too and although I’m happy for them and proud of them, I do sometimes miss the fun we used to have together.
Sending lots of love and positive thoughts (and crying a bit!)
Julia x
http://www.thevelvetrunway.com
Thank you so much Julia!
I am sorry for you and too. Yes, empty nest, a wonderful, but sometimes lonely thing.
I appreciate you!
xoxo, Elle
Oh, my dear Elle, I am so sorry for your loss. We have had to make a similar choice when we decided to euthanise our family german shepherd because his legs were giving up on him :/ This decision is one of the hardest if not the hardest you have to make in your life and nothing ever makes it feel ok. I am very sorry that you are going through this and the only cliche thing that I can say is – time will heal everything..
I am sending you extra hugs and kisses darling.
http://www.callmemaddie.com
Thank you very much Maddie! I agree with the cliché, it is a common saying because it is true. I am sorry that you also had to do this! sending hugs right back to YOU!
xoxo, Elle
I recently lost my dog as well not too long ago, and my dog was suffering from bone cancer. My prayers are with you! http://mariannyc.com/2017/11/20/black-friday-deals/
Oh that is terrible Mariann! Bone cancer is painful. My heart is sad for you too. Much love, Elle
I’m so sorry for your loss, my friend. I know exactly how it is, as we had to put down my cat of 18 years when I was 19. I grew up with him. We got him when I was one, so he slept in the crib with me and did everything with me. We had a fire that devastated our entire home and we were lucky to be able to save him then and have a few more years and memories with him. Sending so much love your way, my friend.
XO,
Jalisa
THE STYLE CONTOUR
How horrible Jalisa! The fire sounds so devastating and scary. I am so glad you saved him, you were probably very brave!
Love right back at you!
xoxo, Elle
This is such a sad post as I know the pain of losing an animal as I lost my little girl who was 19 over 2 years ago now and I still miss her so much. It’s a heartbreaking thing to go through so I’m sorry for your pain.
Know that you will always have the memories with you and that you spent a good part of your life with your pet, being there for them daily, loving them and giving them everything that they needed in life.
Layla xx
http://www.sprinklesofstyle.co.uk
I am sorry for you loss Layla!
!9 years is so long. I felt enriched having her with me and am grateful for out time together.
Happy holidays!
xoxo, Elle
Elle, i know I have mentioned this, but i am sorry for your loss of Lucy. With my 2 little ones, gibson and truffles, it makes it hard to think of that day. Gibson is always by my side, my lil best friend and buddy. i love them so much. i have been saying prayers and do think of those good memories with her.
i hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving my friend!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
Thank you so much Jess! I know how close your are to your fur babies, they are treasures! It was a painful loss, but I had lots of great support which was very very sweet.
like yours! xoxo, Elle
Sorry for the delayed response, but I am just seeing this post now. I am so so sorry you have lost your dear Lucy. I have had many animal children in my lifetime and losing them never gets easier. My wonderful Caleb will turn 15 this March so I know I don’t have too much longer with him and that breaks my heart…out of them all, he will be the hardest to lose. I’ve had him the longest, he was the closest to me…he is the most beloved. But I have had other hard losses and I know how it… Read more »