Rudygirl

Has any of you taken your precious Furbaby to any of the 4 emerg. clinics? They're a 24-hour for when your day vet. is not available. If so, what's your experience with them? Please share your positive or negative experience with me about them, either here or via PM- whichever you feel is appropriate that you feel I/we should learn or be forewarned about. Thanks. Karen

So true, you are NOT alone. My precious Cleo has been gone since '01, and I am still very sad. Rudy passed only since May, and I am still weepy-eyed occasionally. I have a VERY strong bond with animals and no matter when or how or whatever reason, once they go, I am sad for LIFE. In my own therapy, I find that my healing process works mainly when adopting a new furry companion, as well as seeking comfort in my fellow surviving furry companions. Rudy had been the best therapy when I adopted him a month after Cleo passed and when Rudy eventually passed also, I also adopted Brandy a month later. I found that the reason I was able to grieve and move on at the same time is simply by adopting new furry companions. However, of course, this method that worked for me may not work for others. Some people adopt a new wee one and have trouble loving or caring for the wee one while grieving. I imagine you posted because of lack of support in your surroundings, or did somebody say something to you that upset you? I make sure to surround myself with those who cared about me- not that they necessarily have to understand pet loss, but just that I was just being sad about something (i.e. could be over a loss of boyfriend or even over a damaged book that's special to me, so forth), without trivializing me. I noticed other people who eventually feel better after a loss is usually because of adopting a new furry companion, and that those who didn't adopt yet are still very upset in their grief and have trouble moving on. They also are not taking care of themselves such as not showering, not doing their dishes, or not showing up for class or work. In my theory, if a person is grieving hard YET are still able to care of themselves, then I'd think they're in a safe position that they won't hurt themselves or make themselves sickly, but if they're not caring for themselves and getting in various trouble, then I'd think they may need professional help. No matter what, grief is grief, and it's very very normal. It's even normal not to be able to shower for just only a day or two or even oversleep a little bit. It's all about normal sadness. You are sad. He is sad. She is sad. They are sad. Like I said, I bond with animals very strongly, so I am sad for life once they go. We adopt animals to love on and for to love us back, so it's very vulnerable and expected of us once we become an emotional wreck when they go permanently. I don't let anyone misdirect me otherwise. I also seek therapy by just staying home away from people and reading a book or watching a cute Xmas movie. That also helps me alot. I remind myself that once I adopt animals, that they don't live very long, and that it will sear my heart once they go. My close relationship with God reassures me that my animals are safe with Him, and that my duty is to continually open my heart to adopt more innocent souls after each passing to provide a nice safe haven for them, as well as to keep me healthy over the years. As they say- love hurts, but love heals as well. You NOT alone... Best, Karen http://www.angelfire.com/zine2/shihtzuforu...eomemoriam.html "Cleo Memoriam Page" ~~~ http://www.angelfire.com/zine2/shihtzuforu...dymemoriam.html "Rudy Memoriam Page"

Hello, again. Just want to let you know that I took Brandy in for a professional protrait w/ me and just uploaded the poses, as well as my updated writings about her latest antics: http://www.angelfire.com/zine2/shihtzuforu...rum/brandy.html "Brandy" ~~~ Thanks for your continued support about Rudy. Even though Brandy has been a big therapy, my heart's still sore. It's so hard to believe he already unexpectedly left so fast- sort of like abandonment. Rudy didn't have a chance to say good-bye. I just take comfort knowing he's whole again in Heaven and is waiting to me meet at the Gates someday... (And, to Alex's Mom: Thanks for your nice e-mail.) Karen

Gina, I'm terribly sorry about Alex. I just had to reply, because your story reminds me of my 1st cat, Cleo, a tuxedo girl who passed at 16. I was 20 and a full-time student at college when I adopted her as a 2-month-old. She was my best friend and like a daughter to me who saw my trial & tribulations in the real world. We were both so cute living in a large studio apt. It was just me & her. She passed in 2001, and I still miss her greatly. After she went, I adopted a 1-year-old red/white Persian kitty who was named Rudy, after he was returned to the breeder by a previous owner for personal reasons. Sadly, I had to send him over the Rainbow Bridge of a genetic kidney disease at 4 years old, just 3 months ago, and I was beyond devastated. (I told that breeder about him, and she's doing more testings to be sure no more Persians are brought to the world with this awful incurable disease). I guess part of me was spoiled by having Cleo living so long on me and then Rudy leaving so fast. It hurt so bad. A month went by after Rudy, I adopted an adult cream flamepoint Persian cat I renamed Brandy, at an animal hosp. rescue center. This time, I was more educated and requested that the hosp. do an ultrasound to be sure Brandy tested negative of this particular kidney disease that hits alot of Persian cats. I refused to let this disease turn me away from being loyal to Persians. Happily, Brandy passed with flying colors. Anyhow, since Cleo was my 1st pet, she's always special to me. BTW, I also have an 11-year-old Shih Tzu dog named Beau who's very healthy... For more, here are my Websites: http://www.angelfire.com/zine2/shihtzuforu...eomemoriam.html "Cleo Memoriam Page" ~~~ http://www.angelfire.com/zine2/shihtzuforu...dymemoriam.html "Rudy Memoriam Page" ~~~ http://www.angelfire.com/zine2/shihtzuforu...rum/brandy.html "Brandy" Lovingly, Karen

Thanks so much for checking out my Brandy's new website. Come sign her Guest Book! Thanks for signing Rudy's... Frannie: thanks about the meeting schedule. If I feel ready, I'll try to stop by. Sorry I couldn't meet with you. Clara's Mom: thanks about Rudy. So true, early (yet unexpected) deaths ALWAYS hurt. Even with Brandy around, it's still painful that Rudy's gone. I think about him every day and still cry occasionally. Brandy's a big help. And, Marty: thanks for your reply and for this board. Again, thanks to all for your support. I appreciate your contacts as well... Karen

Just letting you know I adopted a new adult Persian! I named her "Brandy". Read all about her story at my new Page I made for her: http://www.angelfire.com/zine2/shihtzuforu...rum/brandy.html Thanks in advance for your support. Karen

Just want to thank your for your support (e-mails, Guest Book, etc.). I'm in the process of keeping my eye out for that new special adult kitty someday, as my broken heart heals and eventually opens its door to love a new personality. Meantime, please keep in touch with my "Rudy Memoriam Page" for future updates... Thanks again. Karen

http://www.angelfire.com/zine2/shihtzuforu...dymemoriam.html "Rudy Memoriam Page" Thanks in advance for your support. Karen in Phoenix (1st time post-er who was referred here by Emergency Animal Clinic of Phoenix) P.S. I was a member of CAAA in the mid-90s with Beau, my Shih Tzu dog, as my Therapy Dog partner.