Loss Of Mr Harv

[jennyjoan]

I truly never thought I would be so heart-broken and I am. The house is so empty, when I come home from any outing - he was there - barking and going mad indeed.

Anyway went from dentist to animal shelter - since I didn't know where it was - it took a few hours - altho all the wee animals are looking for parents - only one wee article took my fancy which was a tiny Jack Russell. It was only there a few days but as much as I tried to make eye to eye contact - it wasn't there.

I have buried so many people in my day I can't believe how heartbroken I am - it actually has taken so much out of me just like my mother's death. Oh God. I am sorry for ranting here.

[pussnboots]

After my two cats died ie Puss and Boots, it took me 15 months before I felt ready to take on another one. We went to the cats rescue centre and came away with another two. These two poor things were left in a garden when the owner moved away, they have been with us now over two years and have taken over the house. Give yourself a bit more time and when you are ready your new best friend will love you as much as Mr Harv did.

[mrs.chappie]

Take care. x

[Psybbo]

Conne, my daughter who has 4 dogs fosters dogs until they are rehomed. There will be a dog out there who needs you

[rsvp]

how?.......... get real jj - we've all maybe felt we should have done this that or the other in a situation and with the benefit of hindsight we could all be perfect but if you can tell me what terrible things you did to Mr H then maybe I'll judge you unkindly....... can't see this happening - you are feeling a very real grief of losing your dog - it's normal, don't look to beat yourself up. Have been there and have experienced the same feelings of loss and guilt myself - you loved him, he couldn't have asked for more.

[Psybbo]

Having said the above I am so sorry for the loss of your dearest friend

[mrs.chappie]

Excuse me Jenny...

Hello Puss, nice to see you.

[paddywak]

JJ you don't realise just how much the furry little perishers have wormed there way into your life till you lose them.What you are feeling is perectly normal and though things will get easier you'll never forget Mr Harvey and no matter how many other dogs you get he'll always be with you.So sit with a bottle of wine and have a good cry .It might take a while but I promise the time will come when you'll forget the pain of losing him and just rember how happy you were together.

[Buenchico]

I'm pleased to read that you're already looking for a new doggy friend. (Yes, I know that another dog can never replace Mr H but I'm sure that there's a match for you there somewhere).

You didn't say which animal shelter you visited but there are some dogs here looking for new homes:
http://www.7thheaven.org.uk/#!animals-for-rehoming/c1enm
(There's just one dog at the centre but there are other dogs, still with their current owners, listed at the foot of the page).

This might be where you went (since Dodger possibly matches your Jack Russell description) but I'll post the link anyway:
http://www.assisi-ni.org/category/dogs/
(Note that there are another two pages of results. Look for the 'Page' buttons toward the foot at that one).

There are lots of doggies wanting homes in Ballymena:
http://www.dogstrust.org.uk/rehoming/default.aspx?dogCentre=BA

and in Antrim:
http://www.midantrimanimalsanctuary.org/?page_id=117

[marval]

You have nothing to be apologise for, you have lost a very good friend. Please give yourself time to grieve, there may come a time when you are ready to make another new friend.

[pussnboots]

Excuse me too jenny.......... hello mrs.chappie.

[anneasquith]

there Is a dog out there just waiting for you conn. and they will have as great a life with you as mr, harv had, maybe not this week/month. but you will know when .

[jennyjoan]

Will look into your posts fully in the morning. Thanks for your posts anyway. Somehow I don't think I can put myself through any more heartbreak. I am aware of everybody else's heartbreak - loss of their children, husbands, wives etc etc. Never rang the sister back. She knows me.

[boxtops]

conne - you are not ranting, you are mourning, and those of us who've lost pets can identify entirely with you. You'll work though this - we're here with you - nad we know how you feel. (())

Maybe that wee Jack Russell didn't meet your eye because he knew the time's too soon for you to look for a new pet.... the time will come, I'm sure it will.

Please don't "what if..." about the treatment Mr Harv did or didn't have - all of us do what we think it the right thing at the time, please believe me that even if he'd lived a bit longer, it would only have been a bit longer, and you'd still have this happen. You did right by Mr Harv, and he loved you for it. Poor old fellow - he's at peace now. xx

[jourdain2]

I, like everyone else who is posting on here, know the grief you feel. It shows that you really need more time. Fear of more heartbreak has held me back, but now I'm ready to love a dog again. I am actively searching and I will know when I meet the one. Animal shelters always need helpers and dog-walkers. Perhaps you could offer your services that way so you would be helping dogs until you are ready. No, it's not a rant, that's what we're here for. I'm still mourning my mum, after 22 years, and my dogs who have died, but it's a quiet grief, mixed with happiness and more happy memories than sadness. You gave Mr. Harv a good life, you loved him, he loved you - it can't be better than that and none of us is perfect! xx

[Peter Pedant]

Poor Jay jay - my little pog-dog died four weeks ago and it is not time yet to get a dog. I miss him most in the mornings and evenings.

Time will tell you when you are ready

[lankeela]

May not be time right now but it would be a shame to deny another needy dog a good home and companionship. People who don't have pets don't realise how much we miss them, but we spend more time with them than with family or friends. As for giving him more time, you must not think of that as you could never know if he would have been suffering, and anyway, better a day too soon than a moment too late. Some people cannot get another pet straight away, but I would prefer to have another one to give me something to concentrate on. Its not disrespectful to your last one, and I am sure another pet would soon steal your heart but not your memories.

[Retrochic]

Jennyjoan, I am very sorry for the loss of your little companion. Before you think about getting another dog how about going to the dogs home and volunteering to walk the dogs. You could also buy the dog food you would have bought and donate it to the home. This walking of the dogs will give you something to do and you never know, you may find your next little friend or he or she might find you.

[jennyjoan]

Well the pet shelters are a good bit of a away for walkies etc . I will be starting pretty gruelling treatment on my teeth - beginning to end could be 4 months (have just read the report on them) so I would be back and forth to the dentist and also recuperating.

I am just after talking to another friend like a far out friend - only needed to ask her something important and she was telling me her sister's beloved dog had to be put down last week with all problems and its hindlegs gone down. Her sister is not to be consoled as her and family never went on holiday for 20 years due to wouldn't leave the dog - so somewhere there is some heartbreak.

I am also thinking to myself that I will wait until after Xmas as so many poor dogs are rejected as Xmas presents. That would be a good time for me and also for me to see if I can cope without a dog.

[Zacs-Master]

That's a great Idea Conne.

[janbee]

Oh JJ, I'm so very sorry to hear your sad news. People underestimate the effect of a loss of a much loved pet. When my dog died (I had to have her put down, she had terminal cancer) my heart was broken. Dogs give soooo much unconditional love. I hope you find a new dog to love soon. So many lovely dogs all so desperate for a happy loving home. No dog will ever replace Mr Harv but you can replace that void in your heart. I wish you luck. Special friends leave paw prints on your heart. xx