So I'm just venting. My dog of 14 years is not doing good, maybe a few days left. The sadness I feel is hard to be with. Kind of brings out my Self Harm OCD because it's like sadness=depression=suicide. Going to try to work through it and figure out some exposure to do. It's hard and I'm really sad, he was the best dog and beautiful border collie. Anyone able to relate to a loss of a loved animal or family member and wants to share feel free. Death is my big fear and I think I'll have to face it with my ole pup soon.

My dog is Australian Shepherd about 12 and developed a heart murmur so I can relate to the fear. Have you thought about getting a dog portrait painted to help remember? There’s lots of artists on Etsy that do it. I remember seeing a story on the news about how when a guy’s dog got cancer he quit his job and did a cross country road trip and hiked all over the country with his dog to make sure he lived his last days to the fullest. Maybe you can re-focus on how to make sure your dog just has the best time possible while still around? Cook human food safe for dog, walks if able, car trips etc - whatever your dog likes to do ! Stay strong! Your dog would want you to be safe and happy too.

I’m so sorry. My guinea pig actually had the same thing happen in 2009 - she lost control of her back legs because her kidneys were failing. Guinea pigs’ immune systems are very fragile and she passed away a few days after that happened. Gosh when there’s multiple losses at once ? that makes everything so much more intense.

Back in 2009 my guinea pig (which I’d only had for about two years at that point) got sick and very shortly after that passed away. I was only nine then and I think it shocked me more than anything else. I learned very early in life how hard it would be for me to cope with the loss of a pet, and I was never comfortable with getting too emotionally attached to an animal ever again. I’ve loved them at a distance and learned about species and such, but I don’t name animals anymore and I haven’t had a pet in my home since 2009 (mainly because of allergies in the house, but it’s also due to my struggling to cope with that loss). It’s one of those things where having a pet and then losing said pet makes me very sad, and I don’t know if I’d get stronger by facing that fear and having a pet every couple of years, OR if I should avoid pets and focus on overcoming other thought patterns that are more prevalent in my life.

On Tuesday morning my dogs back legs stopped working, he couldn’t move or anything, I thought he would have to be put down, but he has to be on painkillers for the rest of his life, I’ve had several pets die and in 2016 I lost two family members within a month and then another on New Year’s Day 2019

I am sorry for your losses. That must have been very difficult. You got through it though and that's the key. I dont know how I'd handle a death in the family. I'm the youngest of seven and have around 20 nieces/nephews. I have been blessed but I fear the loss. Trying to shift my mindset to appreciate what I have and even what I had. Like appreciating the years I've had with my pup. JS0406 how are you doing with the losses to this day?