Comment on Life after euthanasia for bereaved pet carers by Katherine Burton.
Thank you so much for this information. We had to have our 12 year old Shih Tzu put to sleep 3 weeks ago, after a short illness & I for one, have been struggling with most of the feelings you have listed. I’m trying to be strong for my daughter, who is also not dealing with it, her anxieties & stress are coming out physically in her body, eczema, stomach cramps, constant tiredness. Mine are exhibiting as constantly feeling guilty, wondering if I could have done things differently, crying daily & as you’ve mentioned, playing her final moments over in my head.
It is reassuring to know that the way we are dealing with our loss is not unusual.
Recent Comments by Katherine Burton
How to cope when you’re caring for a terminally ill pet
I wish I had found this site before my girl received her terminal diagnosis, but then I feel, maybe I would not have been able to read any of the advice, due to to fact I would be accepting her diagnosis. Although I listened & knew what the vet was telling me, I kept telling myself that we would still have a few more years together, but it was in fact, eight months. I had to accept the harsh reality only a couple of weeks before we lost her, therefore, 11 weeks on weeks on, I am still struggling with it & don’t see any way out of this grief at all.
I think it makes it harder, because not everyone understands why I am feeling the way I do, or should I say, why I am still feeling this way. So, I carry on as normal in public, work/with friends, but fall apart when I come home.
Thankfully, my daughter & partner see this side of me & are patient, they too are still dealing with their way of grieving over losing her, but I do feel very guilty of that they have to deal with my grief also. I am usually the one who keeps everyone together.
This site does help with why I am feeling this way, but obviously cannot give me an answer as to when it might get easier, I know that is only something time will tell.
Kind Regards,
Katherine