Devastated and exhausted

[Ninapod]

On Thursday I had to make the awful decision to have my beautiful dog put to sleep. She was nearly 16 which is amazing for a labrador. I was expecting to feel devastated, which I am, but did not expect to feel so utterly exhausted. I just don't want to do anything. My face, hands and feet have been tingling like mad. Just don't know what to do.

[Blue-52]

I am so sorry, it’s so hard when we have to lose our fur babies, your body is reacting to your sadness, it will probably take a few weeks to settle. Sending you healing hugs, and try and think that she is free, bouncing around on the clouds, with the wind blowing in her face. Take care. Xx

[CheetieCat]

So sorry, it's awful having to put your animal to sleep. I had to do the same for my 16 year old cat in January and it does completely knock the stuffing out of you.

All you can do is give yourself some time, as Blue has said your body is reacting to your emotions. Remind yourself that the very last thing you did was for her, a very selfless thing imo.

And 16 for a lab is pretty amazing! She must've had a wonderful life with you. Rest & Take Care x

[Gigiruth]

So sorry it is time to say goodbye. It is exhausting to have such sadness.Be kind to yourself and rest when you can. Are pets are furry family members. Grief is tiring.

In time you will focus on the whole amazing life and love you gave and not the last chapter.

Goodness what an age for a lab.

It's tough for us to let them go.

Look after you

Gigi

[Cotswolds25121]

hi Ninapod, sad to hear about your beloved dog😞they are family and when we lose them we grieve so I agree that you are feeling the way you do because it is so sad when they are no longer with us. Even if we know it’s their time it doesn’t take away the pain. Rest and give yourself time to adjust and recover. Take it a day at a time and just go at a slower pace. Sending you 🤗🤗at this sad time for you ❤️xx

[Aitch1953]

You have my love and understanding. Had dogs for most of my life. Sooner or later you must do what they cannot do for themselves and help them out of their suffering. And as hard as it is ..... please KNOW, in your heart and mind, you have done the right thing. They give us their love and loyalty and in return we must do the same. We love them. They know that. All will be well. As I said, they cannot do this for themselves. You have done the final act of loving them. And while he/she remains in your heart ...... they will always be with you. 16 for a labrador is testament to your love and care. Loadsalove xxxx

[Meditationlover]

So sorry for your loss, I understand how you feel have also gone through it when my 6 year old king Charles died. They are part of the family. Please take care of yourself and give yourself time, be kind to yourself, sending much love

[Elizahl]

Oh sorry to hear that I had a labrador growing up they are beautiful dogs. Sending hugs it's a stressful time just take it easy and mind yourself to x

[Blondie78]

ahh darling I’m so sorry you’ve had to say goodbye to your fur baby 🥺

I agree with everyone else that your body is reacting to your emotions. You will be exhausted, so try not to push yourself, just rest as much as you can. You have started the grieving process, and it shouldn’t be underestimated how much this impacts on us physically as well as emotionally.

Rest and self care are in order. Sending lots of love and hugs.

Xxx

[Ninapod]

Thank you for all your kind comments and advice; it is much appreciated. ❤️

[Ladame]

So sorry to hear this, I too have an elderly dog so understand your pain. My dog is coming up 14, arthritic, quite deaf and failing eyesight. Fortunately she has more good days than bad so we haven't had to make that difficult decision yet. He was a marvelous age for a Labrador and I'm sure he brought you endless pleasure. You know now that he is at peace and enjoying a different life, free from suffering. There's no wonder you feel unwell, dogs are part of the family and it's only natural that we mourn their passing. Be kind to yourself and give yourself time to heal. Thinking of you. Hugs

[caico]

It is absolutely horrendous when your dog or cat has to be put to sleep - I had to do that last August when my wonderful Caico (westie) quickly developed lymph cancer; he was only 13 (my darling fur baby). I cried and cried after the vet took him away (had him put to sleep at home) and then the fibro kicked in badly for about a month Please take care and I am so very sorry that you also lost your furry love.

[BlueTofu]

I'm so sorry for your loss. As I think other people are saying, emotional distress can ramp.up our pain and tiredness issues. I find that when my grief for my mother was at its height, and when I am suddenly reminded of it on occasions; it can spike my symptoms. Please be kind to yourself, and if you able to get help from other people, let them treat you with the tender loving care you need. Take care

[2pods]

You have my sympathies.

We had two lovely cats that lived to 18, and 19. I found the the older puss in the litter one night. It absolutely devastated me. A year later we had to take the other one to be put to sleep.

Our present two cats have just turned 15, and today one has gone blind. I know it's getting very near their time, as they are Ragdolls, and I doubt I'll be able to cope when it happens.

Furries are family, and we grieve just the same as for any other family member.

[Sam988]

so sorry for your loss. Please give yourself time to grieve and for your body to rest and recover. When I lost my beloved boy last year I needed a week off work as my body didn’t react well tho much longer for your heart and head to adjust 😞

[fibo]

So sorry for your loss, I know what it's like, I loss a couple of people who I was close to back in March, it made me so much worse I couldn't breath, walk or get out of bed for about 6 weeks, I made it to the funeral but wasn't able get out of my wheelchair at all, take care 😊

[New_diagnosis]

I feel your pain. I'm lucky as at the moment I have 2 dogs. Without them I wouldn't get up some days, however, some days I wish I didn't have them. On my bad days I resent that I have to walk them and also the mess they create in the house. But their unconditional love keeps me going. Sending loving thoughts. ❤️

[Debsdelight72]

My heart goes out to you in your sad days, Please take time to grieve for her,

I made a huge mistake with my dog a few years back

My beautiful Sheba, German Shepard bless her , Her hips had given up and we had to have her sent to the big field in the sky she was 14 years old, when the vet done his bit I was laying on the floor with her,just like when she snuggled up at night, I thought I would deal with it by doing overtime at work,busy busy until I just broke down in the middle of the pet section in Tesco because there was a dog looked just her on a tin of dog food,

Be strong and remember her Puppy days,She will be visiting you in her way I'm sure,Please accept my deepest love and kindness to help you through your sadness

Take care Ninapod

Debs

[Luckychica]

Hi, I’m so sad for you. I really understand how you feel, grief is totally overwhelming.

It’s just as justified to mourn and miss your animal friends, who give you their trust and love every day, as it is to mourn any human family member.

I ended up on my neighbour’s doorstep sobbing my eyes out when my beautiful eight year old cat had to be put to sleep because of her not withstanding an operation at the vet’s to remove a tumor.

I hardly knew the lady but I knew she also had cats so I thought she’d understand (and she did)!

It helped to talk through my huge pain.

Some pet insurances have helplines where you can talk about your upset about losing an animal companion.

Go easy, let yourself be sad and mourn because it is needed so that you come out the other side where you’ll have acceptance and knowledge that you were as loyal and kind to your old Lab as they were to you.

Big gentle hugs, ❤️

[saj01]

I can understand how you feel so am just sending a hug.

Take care xx

[Ninapod]

Thank you everyone for your kind understanding and virtual hugs - it has really helped me through the past few days. I have temporarily stopped doing some of my activities so that I can rest and do nothing if I want to. ❤️

[glochessum]

As a pet owner myself I really feel for you. They’re not just dogs they are our children, a proper family member. Take time to greave, you’ve lost one of the most loving members of your family who was with you by your side every day. Trust me, I lost 4 in 12 months all due to age it’s devastating but time does heal.