The Loss of a Beloved Pet

I suffered the loss of my sweet dog, Coco, when I was 16. As a teenager, it was such a difficult time for me. I felt lost. She was sick so we brought her to the vet. Coco always loved going 'bye-bye' like all dogs do. So, as sick as she was, when she knew she was going bye-bye she got excited, wagging her tail. If only I knew that when she went to the vet, it was really goodbye. The vet had called my dad a few days later and told her Coco's condition. My dad had to make the hardest decision he ever had to make, the decision to put her to sleep. He didn't tell us until we got home that day after school. I was so mad at him for doing this. I had to blame someone. My dad is such a strong man and I have never seen him cry until that day when he told us we lost Coco. That just goes to show you how powerful a pet's love is. I remember it like it was yesterday.

The guilt: When a pet dies, guilt is the first emotion. I felt like I could have done something to prevent this from happening to Coco. Here is my story. My grandparents were visiting a awhile before we lost Coco. I love my Grandma, but she doesn't have much patience for dogs. So, she put Coco out which would have been fine, but it was very cold that day. I feel that may have been why she got sick, being out in the cold. But, as a teenager at the time, I was too self absorbed in my own life to think about bringing Coco in. That may or may not have been why Coco became ill. I will never know. She was old, 13 years. But, that is how guilt works. What could I have done to prevent this?

I never knew life without Coco since we got her as a puppy when I was 3. As I write this today, 20 years later, I still feel such saddness when I remember losing her.

Since then, I have lost many other precious pets. Six beautiful rabbits, Brownie, Pepper, Oreo, Snowflake, Beeney & Whitey, two special Cockatiels, named Kaley and Jessie and a little hamster named Puffy.

Thank for reading my story. If you want to share a story of your own, please submit to my guestbook below.

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

A very special thank you to cyberpog.com for letting us use their wonderful Rainbow Bridge image on our page.

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