Tim, I am so sorry for your loss. It’s a special kind of pain losing a pet. My dog Sammy is 12 and is definitely slowing down. I do dread the fact I will outlive my pet.
I particularly identified with your finding solace in music. I always go to traditional Irish folk myself when I am grieving. But it’s all so hard.
We lost our 16 year old Puggle on 1-5-25. Had a health condition that worsened rapidly. We were not prepared - she was old but still ate and was happy. It is so hard to lose an old friend. There is just a space in one’s life after , that had been filled in by love.
Thank you for letting us know about Pepper. I appreciate that you've shared your experiences with him throughout. Our pets are definitely part of the watch party.
We are grateful for our dog (just turned 5) and hope that we will be with him close to that long. We just lost our nearly-14-year-old cat recently but after a bit went to the Humane Society to get a new cat that will bring a lot of enjoyment to us and our dog for some time we hope.
It's not unusual to get strange responses from non-pet-owners when you lose a pet, but it seems like most folks here completely get it. Unfortunately probably due to experience.
It's never not crushing but I've resolved after many many pets to appreciate them as much as possible in the moment and remember them well when they have made their next journey.
And Pepper was all the better for having spent that time with you too.
Oh Tim, what tragic news: I am so very sorry. My condolences. And good bridge to Pepper. 🌈 I know how devastating that is. Thank you for sharing him a little bit with us. 🖤
"It's a risky thing, giving your heart to a dog," I said, staring at the leash still hanging by the door. "Because you know right from the start, that they won't stay forever. You sign up for an ending before you even begin."
She shifted in her chair, waiting, so I kept going
"But you do it anyway. You let them in. You let them take up space in your home, in your routines, in the parts of you that you didn't even realize needed filling. And before you know it, they've got a piece of you--one you won't ever get back, even long after they`re gone."
I exhaled, shaking my head. "The funny thing is, you never regret it. Not even when the end comes, not even when it wrecks you in ways you weren't ready for. Because somehow the love they give outweighs the pain. Every single time. She nodded, a small, knowing smile crossing her face. "So you do it anyway," she said.
"Yeah," I said, smiling back. "You do it anyway."
RM Drake
I saw the above recently on Facebook. We lost our boy in 2020 and miss him every single day.
As we live, we find love, and once we love, we are certain to experience loss. But knowing the rules does not make them any easier to accept.
I am adding an entry to my calendar for every July 10th: "Pepper was a good boy" to celebrate his birthday. Nothing is ever truly lost if it continues to live in us!
14 years is objectively a long time for a dog to live, but it's such a short time in terms of a human lifespan. Like every middle-aged dog lover, I've been there, and it sucks. (I had such a hard time getting over the death of my first dog that I attended a pet grief support group.) I'm so sorry.
Thank you for all the kind words everyone. I know a lot of you have been there.
Sorry for your loss Tim. Hang in there.
Oh, Tim. That’s so sad. It’s devastating. Sending love and hugs your way.
My deepest condolences, Tim. Pepper was well-loved. I'm so sorry.
Tim, I am so sorry for your loss. It’s a special kind of pain losing a pet. My dog Sammy is 12 and is definitely slowing down. I do dread the fact I will outlive my pet.
I particularly identified with your finding solace in music. I always go to traditional Irish folk myself when I am grieving. But it’s all so hard.
Thinking of you and your family.
Aw, Tim, I’m so sorry about Pepper. No matter how senior our furry companions get, it is never long enough.
Awww, Pepper, never met, miss all the same
I’m so sorry for your loss Tim.
Sorry for your loss Tim. RIP Pepper.
We lost our 16 year old Puggle on 1-5-25. Had a health condition that worsened rapidly. We were not prepared - she was old but still ate and was happy. It is so hard to lose an old friend. There is just a space in one’s life after , that had been filled in by love.
Thank you for letting us know about Pepper. I appreciate that you've shared your experiences with him throughout. Our pets are definitely part of the watch party.
We are grateful for our dog (just turned 5) and hope that we will be with him close to that long. We just lost our nearly-14-year-old cat recently but after a bit went to the Humane Society to get a new cat that will bring a lot of enjoyment to us and our dog for some time we hope.
It's not unusual to get strange responses from non-pet-owners when you lose a pet, but it seems like most folks here completely get it. Unfortunately probably due to experience.
It's never not crushing but I've resolved after many many pets to appreciate them as much as possible in the moment and remember them well when they have made their next journey.
And Pepper was all the better for having spent that time with you too.
Ah Tim, sorry to hear about Pepper. Thoughts with you…
Oh Tim, what tragic news: I am so very sorry. My condolences. And good bridge to Pepper. 🌈 I know how devastating that is. Thank you for sharing him a little bit with us. 🖤
Dog People
"It's a risky thing, giving your heart to a dog," I said, staring at the leash still hanging by the door. "Because you know right from the start, that they won't stay forever. You sign up for an ending before you even begin."
She shifted in her chair, waiting, so I kept going
"But you do it anyway. You let them in. You let them take up space in your home, in your routines, in the parts of you that you didn't even realize needed filling. And before you know it, they've got a piece of you--one you won't ever get back, even long after they`re gone."
I exhaled, shaking my head. "The funny thing is, you never regret it. Not even when the end comes, not even when it wrecks you in ways you weren't ready for. Because somehow the love they give outweighs the pain. Every single time. She nodded, a small, knowing smile crossing her face. "So you do it anyway," she said.
"Yeah," I said, smiling back. "You do it anyway."
RM Drake
I saw the above recently on Facebook. We lost our boy in 2020 and miss him every single day.
Hugs to you
As we live, we find love, and once we love, we are certain to experience loss. But knowing the rules does not make them any easier to accept.
I am adding an entry to my calendar for every July 10th: "Pepper was a good boy" to celebrate his birthday. Nothing is ever truly lost if it continues to live in us!
I am very sorry for your loss
The Beauty of Nanotecture - https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-35871451
14 years is objectively a long time for a dog to live, but it's such a short time in terms of a human lifespan. Like every middle-aged dog lover, I've been there, and it sucks. (I had such a hard time getting over the death of my first dog that I attended a pet grief support group.) I'm so sorry.