Hello from new member!

I'm a 60 year old disabled lady from Ohio who suffers from many health issues, but lately my depression and anxiety have nearly taken over! I would like to correspond with others who are suffering as well and those who have managed their conditions! I just lost my 16 1/2 year old kitty Murphy, who is pictured here. He was a life line for me, so the grief has taken me to a whole new level of depression and anxiety. Would love some moral support.......thanks for listening!

[beaumontony]

Sharing with others your grief for a companion you have had for so long can be good and therapeutic. If you have any friends or family members who were also fond of Murphy who you would feel comfortable sharing memories of him and discussing your grief would be where I would start. Sometimes just having someone who can relate to your grief even if it was not their pet can be cathartic for both you and them since they too may have lost a pet or someone close to them.

[Hidden in reply to beaumontony]

Thank you beaumontony! You're suggestions are wonderful. Yes, I have a couple of close friends who understand and have been good to me. It's just hard and I've been through it 5 times before, but I still break down. It's only been a week.. You are spot on with your comments and I do so appreciate them. Hope you are having a good day!

[beaumontony in reply to Hidden]

You're welcome! I have had dogs that I considered great companions so I know it is a difficult time when you have a companion die. I also remember Kubler Ross's stages of grief and depression is the next to last stage before acceptance. We all have to get there on our own time since grief is just another aspect of life. My regrets on your loss. I imagine you have a lot of wonderful memories that will help you move on to acceptance when you're ready to do so.

[mysmugcat]

Hello, nice to meet you. I live alone with my tabby cat. I lost my first cat two years ago. I phoned a pet bereavement line actually in the UK it was, they were helpful. I'm sorry you lost your friend.

I got my cat now from someone at work.

[benmaise]

I hope your feeling better soon. My little dog is 16 and she has aged a lot this year, she sleeps a lot and doesn't want to sit on my knee anymore. She doesn't like being picked up or play like she used to. I can imagine how you feel as I am dreading my little dog dying. I have had her since she was 8 weeks old. She has been a good companion. You have lovely memories and I hope this helps you.

[Hidden in reply to benmaise]

I know what you're going through. It's so hard. Just love her like crazy every day that you still have her. I will be thinking about you and your little one........Blessed Be.

[gogogirl]

So sorry about your kitty. Animals are wonderful, and they are so innocent. I am reaching out as a fellow animal lover.

[Hidden in reply to gogogirl]

Thank you so much! I got his ashes today and after crying, I feel better, he's home with me again.

[gogogirl in reply to Hidden]

Again, so sorry but I am glad that you are finding some comfort with the ashes. I have been through this a number of times with dogs. Animals are so wonderful , and your kitty is watching over you.

[gogogirl in reply to Hidden]

Please feel free to message me if you would like.

[acsmith8213]

I'm so sorry for your loss. It's so hard to lose our pets. Talking can really help and if you cry that's fine.

[Hidden in reply to acsmith8213]

Thanks for the support. I'm slowly getting better now that I've found friends to share it with like here, and got his ashes back yesterday so know he's here with me again.

[Roseanne333]

I'm so sorry. I'm 65 and we lost both our beloved labs last year. It is so hard. I suffer from depression and anxiety too. I worry about aging and being alone.

[gogogirl in reply to Roseanne333]

I am 66, and can understand. I have depression/anxiety also. I am so sorry about the loss of your labs, and to go through it twice- wow. We lost our beloved lab cross three years ago, and now our younger one is pushing ten.

[Roseanne333 in reply to gogogirl]

Is there a story behind gogogirl? Thanks for the encouragement. We have thought about getting a rescue dog, but I don't know if I want to go thru it again. Still thinking about that one.

[gogogirl in reply to Roseanne333]

Gogogirl just came to me , and I do like to travel- so that is it. I had to be coaxed into getting other dogs after losses so I understand, but looking back and even at our dog now- I am glad that I did it.

[Lostjoy]

Hello, sorry to hear about the loss of your pet. It's been awhile since we have lost a pet, thank goodness. Our current little bundle of joy is 9 years old, so we will still have her with us for awhile.

I suffer from anxiety and depression also. I went to a local support group last night for the first time as I haven't been feeling up to going out. I really enjoyed it, and I met a few people who are suffering as well. It helps to talk about what is bothering you. This site has helped me tremendously. Sometimes I'll just read through the posts to see if there is any good information I can use. I believe that's where I found the website to look up local support groups. We all just need to keep pushing forward, and leaning on each other. We will get through this. I've found that trying to talk to my family members who haven't experienced what I'm experiencing does not help. They just don't understand. I am 53 by the way..

[Hidden in reply to Lostjoy]

Thank you for your sincere condolences on Murphy. Having his ashes home makes me feel better. I miss him so, but am trying to get better. I know not letting him suffer any more was the best for him, but it's ME who has to get through my suffering of loss. This is a wonderful site and thank you all for your kind words. I'm glad you found a support group near you. I haven't the courage yet to do that. I do have a wonderful mental help practice and therapist and that has helped. We just put me back on Abilify and it helped in the past. Most drugs work for a little while then just poop out on me, so since I haven't taken this in awhile, and it was the best thing I have taken, we're going to try again. I'm Diabetic on Insulin and it does make my blood sugars rise, so will have to adjust my insulin as well, but it's so worth it if it works. Thank you again for your kind words. Have as good a day as you can!

[Hidden]

Your Vaska is so pretty. I hope it's ok that I follow you now. We have a lot in common. I have Fibromyalgia/Chronic Fatigue and Diabetes too so don't feel well a lot of the time. It's shocks to the system like losing Murphy that give me a real jolt. Thanks will keep in touch!

[NFDK]

Of course it's ok - I followed you already x

[serenity56]

Hi, I'm a new member as well. Just joined today. 56 year old woman andI love cats. I have two cats --one of them is 15 years old. I'm so sorry you lost your beautiful furry friend. I know how challenging life can be, particularly with mental and physical health conditions and speaking for myself, my cat is my companion. I always adopt my cats from a shelter and I take the older cats because they just want a warm comfy place to live out their life and I want them to have that. If you'd like to chat more, please let me know.

[VanessaGail]

Murpheys wonderful!😻I've Sam and Marissa. I'm thankful for my furbabies as well

[Tonyhope]

Im sorry to hear about Murphy. But you will be fine. He lived a long an healthy life thanks to you