Our little treasure Lulu is gone

[Mtn. States Resident]

Originally Posted by rcampo

Thank you profoundly to all who post on this forum and to all of you who send your sympathies. It helps to be part of a group that know of the love and companionship a cherished pet provides and the loss and anguish felt when they are gone. My wife's nephew has come forward and offered a puppy or two of his and we may go ahead and do that. Nothing will replace our little one but it will help to heal our hearts I'm sure.

rcampo,

I'm so very sorry for your tragic loss. It does help to be part of a group who can honestly share our thoughts/feelings openly without fear of what others will say or think. Healing is a process.

As 3chidogs has often advised others (as well as other posters), it is always important if a new pet is added to the family that one doesn't somehow expect that pet to fill the void of the pet that was lost. You know what is best for you and your family.........

I do agree with you, I'm glad your daughter didn't witness the tragic accident and Lulu's passing. I don't remember if you said her age or not. Just be prepared for lots of questions. While you don't have to be too graphic (age appropriate), it is always better to answer kids in a honest manner.

In humans, often we just talk about sometimes bodies are so sick or injured they can't get better, no matter how much they want to. It is important that your child talk about Lulu, regardless of her age. Kids have magical thinking. Often they will blame themselves when something bad happens, despite there being no connection. Depending on her age, she may not have abstract thinking yet.

I'd just encourage you to talk about Lulu, maybe do something special to remember her as a way to have a natural way to talk about her. Then, I would make sure that your daughter knows that it is normal to sometimes get upset with others, so if for some reason she said something about Lulu being in the way or something else close to that, you can explain it wasn't HER that made this accident happen. Not sure why I included all of this, I don't usually. I do follow my gut feelings and this is what my gut is feeling at the moment. I hope something is useful to you or others who read what I've written.

Like so many others........ I am sending you Cyberhugs across the miles. Hang in there and aboslutely give yourself, your wife and your daughter time to grieve each day. As I've written before, if these little fury family members weren't so loved, it wouldn't hurt so much to lose them. It's a great time to talk as a family about your ability to love and given animals a better life, when and if you're up for it. You'll know....

I hope tomorrow is a little easier than today. While it can be painful, I do encourage you to read some of the other posts. Sometimes words offered to comfort others will comfort the reader.

Take care of yourself...and know this forum is open 24/7/365. People truly care here.

MSR

[3chidogs]

rcampo,
Just to add to with wisdom of what Mtn States said. You and your family know when to get a new family member. It is not a replacement for Lulu, but it is a new little one to love. When our precious Nugget died suddenly at the age of 5, my husband went to the shelter that day and found Bella, a chi/mix who had just been turned in by her owner. She kept me sane in my grief, as a new place to direct the love. I had not wanted another one so soon as we did have two others, but they had their own places and there was a vacuum where Nugget had been. Bella helped fill that with her own personality, which was completely unlike my little Nugget. So, if you are ready, go ahead and take comfort in one or more little friends. Lulu would know it is not a replacement, but that she was so special, you need that kind of love in your life again. Best of luck to you. And, if you need someplace to go to remember Lulu, there is a site called Petloss.com, and they do a candle ceremony every Monday. They also have the Rainbow Bridge story there, and for adults and children, it is a wonderful and hopeful wish for where our pets go to wait for us. Read it to your daughter when she is ready.

[Mtn. States Resident]

Originally Posted by 3chidogs

rcampo,
Just to add to with wisdom of what Mtn States said. You and your family know when to get a new family member. It is not a replacement for Lulu, but it is a new little one to love. When our precious Nugget died suddenly at the age of 5, my husband went to the shelter that day and found Bella, a chi/mix who had just been turned in by her owner. She kept me sane in my grief, as a new place to direct the love. I had not wanted another one so soon as we did have two others, but they had their own places and there was a vacuum where Nugget had been. Bella helped fill that with her own personality, which was completely unlike my little Nugget. So, if you are ready, go ahead and take comfort in one or more little friends. Lulu would know it is not a replacement, but that she was so special, you need that kind of love in your life again. Best of luck to you. And, if you need someplace to go to remember Lulu, there is a site called Petloss.com, and they do a candle ceremony every Monday. They also have the Rainbow Bridge story there, and for adults and children, it is a wonderful and hopeful wish for where our pets go to wait for us. Read it to your daughter when she is ready.

3chidogs,

I tried to rep you but I couldn't. Know I would have if I could have.

You add wonderful information with this post. I want to check out Petloss.com. I never knew until I read your post there were different versions of the Rainbow Bridge. Thanks for sharing that information with everyone.

I'm glad you clarified what I sorta botched. Every situation is different. How wonderful to find a new family member, for some people, at the time their emotional pain is the worst. For others, tender feelings need to heal before the thought of another pet can occur. Grief takes as long as it takes. No two people have had the same experiences getting to this point. Consequently, how we proceed from here will be an individual path too.

Really a great addition in this post. Thanks again for sharing it.

MSR

[3chidogs]

You said it just fine MSR, I was just adding to it. And do check out that website, but have a box of kleenex handy. I start sobbing the minute I hear the music. I have memorialized all of my pets there from my very first dog I got when I was 5.

[luvmycat]

I'm so sorry you are gong through such a tragic loss...it's never easy, whether it's old age, sickness, or something sudden like this was, it hurts deeply. I'm glad you're open to the idea of adopting again, as 3chidogs said, it's not a replacement but a way to keep sane and put a smile back in your life while helping another furface. I also believe it honors Lulu's memory...I'm sure she'll be happy to know one of her fellow canines will have a warm place to snuggle in next to you and be loved forever. Try to keep your chin up and know we're all here for you, we've all been through the pain of losing our animal companions, and we all care about helping you get through this dark time.

[Alaskapat528]

Originally Posted by rcampo

We lost our little Chihuahua girl on Friday who just turned two in Sept. She had a fear of the sound of her flexi leash when it hit the ground or sidewalk. In the blink of an eye she had gotten away from my wife's grip and in fear bolted into traffic. There was no blood or apparent trauma but by the time I ran to get her she was already dead. Thank God my daughter wasn't there because no one should ever have to witness their pet being killed. We've lost dogs before due to old age or sickness or having to put them down but because she was so young--and we just got her from the shelter in December--this is just tearing my family's heart out. We know that we'll eventually get another dog but right now the pain is just too intense although I do feel better yesterday than today. We just miss our little girl so much...

So sorry for you and your family; what a horrible thing. Lulu has crossed over and she'll be waiting for all of you one day. Again, so sorry.

[jbm32206]

My prayers and thoughts are with you. My heart goes out to you as you suffer through this terrible loss. It sounds like our Lord took your baby quickly, even though tragically. Just know that she's now forever young, healthy and happy.

[Robhu]

There are a lot of people on this forum that know how much we love our pets.
Each and everyone send you our heart felt condolences.
Me included.

[Thursday007]

Hugs from the heart. I lost one of my beloveds to a car a number of years ago and I know how difficult it can be. I hope your heart heals quickly to allow another who needs you to come to you.