Death Of A Pet
I wanted to offer some hope for those who have lost a pet. I have lost two of my pets and multiple family pets. It can be as painful as losing a human companion. I know this because I've lost my father as well. It can feel absolutely, indescribably horrible. Hang in there. I know life seems like it will never be the same; and it won't. However, the pain will ease. Memories will be there. You will slowly stop crying. You will recover to a point where you will be able to accept a new pet into your life - even though right now you may feel guilty about doing so; hang in there. The best thing I've done in honour of my pet - is to try my best and open my heart to other animals (even if you decide not to get another pet).
@SCUBAwish
Thank you Scuba for sharing this! <3
@SCUBAwish- thank you for your kind words. My cellphone sent me a photo yesterday- in memories- it was my deceased horse pix taken a year ago to the day he sustained the hip injury. Found myself sobbing off and on all day. Hardest thing i ever went through was putting him down 5 months later.
@barncat
I'm so sorry for your loss. 🥺❤️🐎
@SCUBAwish- thank you- we lost 4 horses in our herd of 5 last year. I turned to 7 cups for help- thank heavens- it helped. It is unsettling how awful the loss of our beloved animals can be. My husband misses his horse a lot- and we did get a new wonderful horse for him. Have a wonderful easter. thanks again.
@barncat - Hi Cat of the Barn :) I found you! Really though, I was unaware that you lost 4 of your 5 equine family members! It is so very hard to lose them - as they are not just another horse, they are YOUR horses. and you and your family know how they do things. When (16h, black) - sorry I do not know fast names for horses - when he paws at the ground with his L-front hoof, well that means he's hungry. When he scuffs the ground with his front R-hoof two times only, that means Hi, Good morning and what are we doing today? Obviously I am completely making this up but you know what I mean - you know their little quirks and how they communicate with you. I'm not sure if it was you or the creator of this post, but it is correct - those who are family pets are not just pets. They are part of the family.
I too have not talked with you about my 'recent' loss. My baby, Buddy, (dog, Australian Shepherd), went to Heaven ahead of me last fall. In mid-Sept 2019, I lost one of my best friends of my entire life. Those little things that make your relationship with your horses, Buddy and I had those too. Sometimes myself in great tears, I would pull my Buddy in really close and just cry and cry into his fur. After awhile he sort of learned when I would want puppy kisses and when I just wanted to hold him.
Other times I would lay flat, face up, on the couch and pat my stomach. He would jump up on me, yet without hurting me :) and I would have him lie down on top of me. I'm not sure if he ever really understood the point of that - snuggle on the couch - but maybe in part that was because he knew *usually* he wasn't supposed to be on the couch.
Oh, my boy, my Buddy ... I miss you so much. Very much indeed.
and @barncat , now even more so, I think we need an "I LOVE ANIMALS" or "OF COURSE HE'S A PART OF MY FAMILY" club. 
Platy
As weird as this may sound, I am glad that I fell into the "Newbie" sub-comm tonight. And that I found this thread. I still need this freedom to talk about Buddy and hopefully with people who understand. So thank you for creating this thread, @SCUBAwish (and for encouraging comments, @audienta. Happy Easter to everyone! We had about 5-6 inches of new snow this AM 
A beautiful scene of the newness and pure cleanliness of Christ, and his willingness to extend that to us And yet, snow in mid-April? Yup.
@cyanPlatypus6370- grateful you found me again. You lost your beloved Buddy around the same time we lost 2 of our horses. It was extremely traumatic- and two recent events brought up the pain unexpectedly. I wonder how long this sadness will last- and wish I could let go of the death scenes. We have 2 new horses- Gus - big loveable 16h tennessee walker- fortunately I have been riding him the past month and bonding with him. My other new horse- Duke is another story. He is aloof and traumatized from his years on the track. So maybe we need each other to heal. He appeared to be a solid easy horse but he has internalized a lot of abuse. Sorry I am going on about them- but it is benefiting me. Have you allowed another animal into your life. Blessings- and I am off to feed the horses.
Thank you for providing this post
Heard my neighbor's horse calling out differently several days ago. After spending 16 plus years around horses i knew it was not a normal whinney. Both of her horses were visible next day. But now the indentations of a backhoe mar the road we walk. ANd evidence of another large site where Cowboy must have been buried. And only one of her horses is standing in the paddock area. I feel the sorrow for the owner- it brought back the loss of my herd last year. How the death of our animals affect us is so individual. My heart still hurts for my beloved Sonny.
@barncat - I hear you there dear. ((long distance affection to Sonny from this Platy)) (I do not know horses as well if he'd want a hug or just a treat/apple? like that.) It is getting really close to my baby's birthday. my Buddy, he would have turned 15 human years in just under a week from now. I know - well my brain tells me - that it is better for my SFO to be no longer alive, for his full quality of life was so very low there at the end. My brain tells me that, but my sometimes gets louder and says "I don't care, I miss my SFO so very much!" Very much indeed. ((hugs for you also, you!)) and ((hugs to your barncat(feline) also)) Take good care, friend! <3 Platy
@cyanPlatypus6370- greeting for a new year. Been thinking of you- hope you are doing well. Big animal hugs to you.
@barncat Thank you so much, friend! Yes, happy 2022! and in a few days, Happy official First Day of Spring!
I'm not sure how/why I found this page again today, but it's not a bad thing. I have been thinking of my Buddy rather a lot today (or at least more than any of the last ~30 days). My counselor (from kind of a long time ago now) would sometimes send me home - or leave the office - with the assignment to: go home and give Buddy hugs. And I did. I don't remember just now how often that included continuing of tears from counseling ... but Buddy would remember.
Have I introduced you to my SST? (Silent Squirrel Tracker) It was around the first week of April last year (2021) when I decided that should be her moniker here on 7cups. She is my beautiful canine girl. This summer she will be four years; I got her in Dec 2020 so she's been with me for about 16 months -ish. She is of the breed Labrador Retriever with mix. She has a small bit of white (like a blaze or star?) on her chest and is the rest (99.5%?) all black.
For sure, I love her very much indeed. And I do still miss Buddy, sometimes a lot! I do not mind you going on about your horse or neighbor's horses. Not at all! I like to hear about them actually :) And you are right, it is good for you. It is good for us to remember; not easy, not fun - maybe, but good. For healing.
My assignment for tomorrow, Sat, and Sunday: Take Care of Me days. Eat, Sleep, Rest, Takecare of SST, Do fun- desired! things. and come to my counselor again on Monday. I hope you are doing well, dear barncat. Have some good rest this weekend? after the time change? Hugs to you, your hubby, your animals too! Hugs! <3 Platy
@cyanPlatypus6370- your new dog sounds like a wonderfully entertaining pup. My little dog Diego LOVES to sleep and eat. The best companion. Right now he is happily snoring in my bed.
Sadly the last of my original herd of horses - Flash - was put down September 22 with recurrent laminitis. He in now free of pain, and hopefully there is a rainbow bridge. Only two horses now - Gus our wonderful goofy, escape artist horse. And Duke - the reserved unrideable thoroughbred. He is enjoying being a beautiful pasture pet.
Searching for my next horse because I have a feeling the kids will be lining up for horse time and lessons.
@SCUBAwish
I'm so sorry for your loss :(
@SCUBAwish
I have lost a cat to a fatal incurable disease. He was less than two years old.
@jaedae- sorry to hear of your loss- a young kitty just starting their adult life. I lost yet another pet in July- my "barncat" a senior spoiled housecat that had a second life as our barncat. However as one door closes- another one opened, and I now have my first ever dog- TAke care and enjoy the memories of your cat.
@SCUBAwish
sorry to hear of your loss
@SCUBAwish
I'm sorry for your loss and I've lost a few pets and it hurt .
I've got a doggy that imI so close to and there's days that if it wasn't for her we'd die with her .
I know how it feels.
I'm here for you if you need to talk about your Love ones .
Remember animals are our kids to they need someone that cares and loves them and it sounds like you are a great person and I'm sorry for your pain.
This is very sweet, thank you for this. I lost a dog recently and I'm still mourning him. He died right on my hands when I was holding him, my heart broke into pieces. It was the worst time of my life and I felt like nothing will ever be fine again. He was my companion and my best friend, he was there for me when I was severely sick and lost all hope. After 3 months, I am slowly recovering and adopted a new puppy that makes me smile everytime we're together.
He will always have a place in my heart and I'll never stop missing him.
@sonerii- so sorry for the loss of you beloved dog. THey have a place in our hearts that is unique. May your journey with the new puppy give you joy- and lots of companionship.
