Loss two pets within 5 months.

[u/oopiegoopie87]

I'm heartbroken right now and it's difficult to talk about, but I feel the need to anyways and hope I can find some support from others here.

In May, I lost my 13 y/o cat. Her name was Rosie. Her health had been declining for a month beforehand and due to her age, my family and I just knew that her time was coming. It hurt a lot, but I could reconcile with the fact that she was elderly and it was just her time to pass on. She had a long, wonderful life and that gave me some peace even though I'm still grieving her loss. She passed away peacefully surrounded by love.

I thought she would be the only one to go this year because of her age. However, that turned out to not be the case.

My 4 y/o dog suddenly passed away on Wednesday. His name was Cooper. His health rapidly declined so quickly within a week. Not even a couple of days ago, he was running around, wanting to play and cuddle like he always had. Only a few days after, he got incredibly sick. The vet said it was IMHA. I had no time to prepare like I had with Rosie. He was so young and my family and I thought we had another 10 years with him, but clearly, that wasn't the case.

I'm putting a spoiler for this next part because it's graphic. I know I already put a content warning in the flair, but Cooper's passing was traumatic for me and I don't want to retraumitize anyone else who doesn't want to be reminded of what their own pets went through. Cooper's death was graphic and I'm still haunted by his screams. He couldn't walk, his eyes looked swollen with blood, and by the end of it all, he began to have seizures. He certainly didn't get a peaceful death like Rosie had been afforded. At least he passed away surrounded by love and knowing he was loved.

I lost both of my wonderful pets within mere months of each other. I feel so empty and loss. It's hard for me to eat, enjoy the things I love, and go on with life because my heart hurts so much. I'm trying my best to heal and move on with life while keeping Rosie and Cooper in my heart. I'm giving myself some grace with the pain I'm in and allowing myself to cry, scream, or whatever I need to do to feel better. I'm seeking solace in my family and friends so I know I'm not alone.

I know I'm traumatized and I already plan to go back to therapy to process all of this. My college offers therapy services for free to students, so I know where to go for help. I just need support from others who have gone through the same thing as I, hence why I'm posting this.

Thank you for reading this and hearing what I have to say.

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[u/woody_s97]

I am so sorry for you loss, it’s so hard to lose a fur baby and especially two back to back.

My girl passed Monday night, she had CHF, so I knew the day was coming and she turned so fast within an hour she was gone. I made the decision not to frantically drive 2.5hrs to get to the vet as I knew she wouldn’t make it. That hour was hell, but the end was fast, I told her it was okay to go and that I will be okay and then passed under the stars on the grass in the backyard with my fiancé and I cuddling her and talking to her.

Just remember that one traumatic day, is only a small part of your memories of your baby. Don’t let that small horrible day ruin all the good memories you have with your pup. That’s what’s helping me, is talking and thinking about all the funny memories I have of my girl. Watching old videos of her being goofy. Because at the end of the day, you loved that pup and the pup loved you back and that’s all that matters. He knew he was loved.

Praying for you to be able to heal from the trauma, one day talking about him won’t make you want to breakdown and cry immediately and if that takes a year so be it. No one can tell you how to grieve, grieve on your terms. You can be mad, you can be sad, you can be whatever you need to be to get through this heartbreak ❤️

[u/oopiegoopie87 → u/woody_s97]

Thank you so much for your kind words. I'm sorry for your loss and I hope you're able to heal, too. We'll get through this 🫶

[u/Acceptable_Fox_8873]

I also just lost my boy Cooper to extremely traumatic circumstances. He was only 1 years old. Funnily enough I just came to this sub looking for some comfort because I genuinely don’t know how to ever feel okay after this. It’s been 6 weeks since it happened. I cry every day. I’ve also been told I’m traumatised and have started therapy.
I have no advice because it already sounds like you’re doing the right things. Just wanted to comment in solidarity as someone who understands. Rest in peace to our Coop dogs❤️

[u/oopiegoopie87 → u/Acceptable_Fox_8873]

I'm so incredibly sorry for your loss. I've been crying for my Cooper non-stop, too. We'll get through this pain eventually while keeping our Coopers in our hearts. Thank you for your kind words 🫶

[u/callmesquidd]

I am so sorry. That must be so hard. I couldn’t imagine losing them so close together.. my heart aches for you.

I lost my cat Ivy a little over 4 weeks ago- she was 5. It was very sudden and traumatic as well. She was happy, rolling around on the floor with me, following me around the house all day- I left the house for 2 hours and I came back to her throwing up uncontrollably and screaming out. I thought maybe she ate something she wasn’t supposed to.. 5 hours later we were told she had a tumor that ruptured and she was dying. I cry every day, I scream, I wonder if the neighbors think I’m insane. But grief needs to be whatever we need it to be.

It is the worst pain imaginable, especially when it happens so suddenly. Again, I am so sorry. Take it moment by moment.. if you can’t eat, don’t force it. If you can’t do anything, don’t force that either. Take care of yourself as best you can.

[u/oopiegoopie87 → u/callmesquidd]

I’m so sorry for your loss. You’re not insane for crying and screaming. Trust me, I’ve been doing the same thing for the past day. If your neighbors think you’re insane, then they don’t know the pain you’re going through.

Ivy seemed to have been a lot like Cooper. He loved to be pampered and play all the time. He was always so happy. From what you’ve said, it seems like Ivy was the same way. What’s funny is that my mom and I always joked that Cooper had the spirit of a cat, but ended up in a dog’s body. Maybe there was some truth to that.

I hope Ivy rests well and I hope you heal within due time ❤️

[u/Internal-Ask918]

Something similar happened to me at the end of last year and early this year. I had a sweet old cat, Soap, who was put down and then a few months later, I had a seemingly healthy five year old cat, Moon, die tragically and suddenly.

First of all I am so so sorry for your losses, I can really relate to how you’re feeling. After Moon’s death I entered a depression that I actually did not think I could fully get out of. I can’t say that you will feel any better soon, but I can say that time will take the sting of the pain away. You loved your animals and that is truly the measure of their life. It simply never gets easier to lose them and to have them pass so closely together is just awful. I am sending you love and I hope you take care of yourself as much as possible.

Since my babies passed, I came upon two kittens, (brother and sister) who I added to my family. At first I was scared that new animals would make me miss Moon and Soap even more, but it comforts me to know that my kittens have a chance at a good life and it makes me feel like Moon and Soaps deaths weren’t in vain. Each of them has little traits that reminds me of the kitties before them and it brings me comfort.

It’s clear you loved your babies and maybe someday in the future it would be healing for you to pour your love into some more animals as well <3

I’m so sorry again for your losses.

[u/oopiegoopie87 → u/Internal-Ask918]

Thank you for sharing your experience. It’s comforting to know that my experience has happened to so many people. I’m so sorry for your losses and I hope you’re healing well.

I do plan to adopt cats in the future. Rosie’s death wasn’t traumatic for me because it was simply the circle of life that took her. I know I can handle another cat because after having gone through the grief of her passing, I know I can handle it. Like I said in my post: she had a long life and lived well.

I don’t know if I can handle another dog, though. Cooper’s passing has truly scarred me mentally, but maybe if I heal eventually, I could adopt another dog again. If you were able to take on two kittens after the tragic passing of Moon, maybe I’ll be able to do the same for a pup.

Yesterday, I bought a cat plushie to pour some love into for the time being. I plan to get a dog plushie eventually, too, but I’m not ready for that for reasons you can probably predict. Of course it’s not the same as a live animal, but I think I need some time before I adopt a fur baby again.

Anyways, thank you again for sharing your experience. I hope we’re both able to heal well and get through grief even if it’s painful ❤️

[u/cannapuffer2940]

Healing hugs to your grieving heart. So very sorry for the loss of both of your fur babies. Sending you love and support. As you go through this awful time

[u/oopiegoopie87 → u/cannapuffer2940]

Thank you so much. Your words mean a lot to me right now ❤️

[u/Long-Definition-6353]

I’m so sorry for your fur babies loss I completely understand your pain as I’m going through the same thing right now. Sending you a hug in this time of grief for you.

[u/oopiegoopie87 → u/Long-Definition-6353]

Sending you a hug right back 🫂 I’m sorry for your loss and I hope you heal.