Grieving the Loss of a Pet

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Grieving actually is a cunt.

Help Guide.

This is about coping with the loss of a pet. Believe me, if you’ve ever lost a pet, it really hurts.

But saying goodbye to your pet is a whole different ball game, when its saying goodbye to your partner.

My point here, is it hurts, and it’s an absolute cunt, it’s not a fucking competition. There aren’t degrees, and anyone who says “it’s just a dog” needs twatting.

Nominated by : Jeezum Priest

134 thoughts on “Grieving the Loss of a Pet”

  1. A sobering nomination JP.

    There used to be a lady in the village, well-known for walking her dog and when that died she used to walk holding her dogs old lead. It seemed a little eccentric but you do whatever you need to do to get through the grieving process I suppose.

  2. I hope my cat goes before me, my worry is who would take on an old(ish) cat.

    Ideally we pop together 👍

    • That’s my fear, Soi.

      I’ve a cat and a dog. They’re both about 10. The dog, a chu, has a life expectancy of 19 years.
      Every cat I’ve ever had has lived to a ripe old age between 18 and 21 ( so pampered), but I’m 70 and getting increasingly less mobile.

      Whose going to take on my pets, when I’m no longer able? I know my girls will do their best, but it’s a worry.

      • Yes, I have mine registered with cats protection so I guess they would do their best.
        It’s a risk for anyone taking on an older animal because of potential vets bills.

  3. The loss of a devoted pet is just as painful as the loss of a close family member. I’ve been through both more than once.

    We’re losing our country as well though, aren’t we? Look at yesterday’s news – a 15 year-old boy assassinated at a ‘family fun day’ organised by the Caribbean Music Association in London. Well we call all draw our own conclusions about victim and alleged perpetrator(s).

    And so it continues.

    I grieve the loss of our capital city and our country.

  4. Lost my dog last week. My friend for 16 years since we found her as a stray. I am heartbroken.

    • Hey Cunstable,

      Allow me to send you my heartfelt and most sincere condolences. I grieve with you and for you.

    • Was saddened to read of your loss, CC.

      Hang in there mate and cherish those memories.

      All the very best from me, the Mrs and our cat.

    • Iv been there, and it was torture for me. It did eventually get a bit easier. I do miss my dog, every day. That was 2 and a half years ago. So I can only imagine how your feeling. Take care, you genuinely have my condolences.

    • Condolences, it’s been a cunt of a year lost my Mum end of Feb never sick a day in her life and now my cousin 56 just diagnosed with terminal cancer.

      • It’s all awful, Chris.
        Losing your Mum, however, is in a catagory all of it’s own.

        It’s like the world stop spinning, and is holding its breath.

        I feel for you. You have my deepest sympathy.

    • Sorry to hear that CC

      I still miss my dog that died when I was fifteen. He was a golden retriever and soft as anything. Even Opey would have liked him.😉

      Silly bugger would be frightened of Thunder and Lightning and want to sleep at the foot of my bed.

      I’ve got a mini-Schnauzer now and he’s a feisty little scamp.
      No doubt MNC will say it’s a bit ‘ooh duckie’.

      • I like mini schnauz, they are brutal guards, trapped in tiny bodies!

        Go boy, go!!

  5. The dog I owned previously to the one I have now was the most devoted friend anybody could have ever wished for.

    She was a little rescue dog and not exactly the type of breed I’d have originally gone for but she was stuck to me in particular like super glue once she’d moved in with us.

    She was taken prematurely with kidney failure and the last week of her life I spent with her back in 2020 was the among the most heartbreaking experiences of my life.

    Ironically it was during the first Convid lockdown which meant I got to spend quality time that I otherwise wouldn’t have been able to have with her.

    The day she was euthanased, I sat up the entire night before with her while she was curled up in her favourite position on the top part of the sofa.

    I was trawling through YouTube videos of people going through similar experiences just desperately trying to seek some form of comfort or strength.

    I cried for weeks after she went and I honestly don’t mind admitting it.

    If anybody had had the nerve to tell me “it was just a dog” at that point I think I’d have murdered them.

    A solid and thought provoking nom JP.

    • My parents lost their pooch to kidney failure 3 months ago. She was n’t even 6. I was alright until I took the dog in her blanket for the old man slid her onto the bed in the back seat. Just hit me and the bottom lip went.
      Took her over to the uncle’s farm and helped my dad dig the hole. Felt like i haad a pebble lodged in my throat.

      Fucking hard.

      As for anyone who says ‘its just a dog’, can’tvsay i know anyone that callous, psychopathic or outright stupid to say that to anyone, even the most clueless cunts I know have a least the sense to not say that around me or member of my family.

      Blood would be drawn.

    • I lost my best boy Pablo during lockdown suddenly too, absolutely devastating it was. Probably hit me worse than when i buried my three mates and mother within four days.
      Brought a tear to my eye just typing this.

  6. Agree that it is awful making that last trip to the vet. Of all the cats and dogs we’ve had, there has only been one gone peacefully in its sleep. A bit off topic, I was recently walking the dogs in rural Dorset. The youngster was over interested in a bit of bush near a disused barn. Cut a long story short, there was a mink with its leg caught in a type of gin-trap. So fucking barbaric. It could have been there for days (and by the amount of poop and flies, it had been). Miles from anywhere, the only thing I could do was release it and let it slope off. I smashed the trap up and the hiding place. If the inbred cunt who put it there had been around I would not have been responsible for my actions. The only reason it was there was to protect the pheasant eggs on a large local shoot – owned by Austrians and who throw away most of the birds that get shot as no butcher is interested in dealing game nowadays (for many reasons). At the end of the day, it is not illegal to trap mink – but for fuck’s sake, check the traps regularly and put any animal out of its misery.

    Rant over.

    • There are some incredibly rotten cruel bastards bereft of any compassion out there LC.

      I eat meat myself and I’m fully aware of the process involved so don’t wish to sound like too much of a hypocrite.

      Deliberate or reckless cruelty by humans however, deserves the full oven treatment.

      Halal and Kosher being two acceptable forms of said cruelty makes me uncomfortable.

      • Yes Herman.

        There is a special place in Hell for those who mistreat any helpless being, human or animal, and I’d willing stoke the fires.

      • Halal and kosher slaughter needs it’s own fucking cuntting. Barbaric, backwards shit. just like the religions they spawn from.

  7. About two years ago I took my beloved black lab to the vet with what I thought was a minor ailment.
    Turned out it was a lot worse and ended up driving home without him. His loss is still felt today.

  9. My Boxer was my best friend. He came to work with me and we spent many hours on long walks through corn and barley fields in the country after work around where I used to live. Loved it in the Summer just chilling out in the corner of a field in the middle of nowhere away from it all, with a couple of cans of beer, my dog and my thoughts.

    He passed on 3 years ago…at 12. A good age for a Boxer. I miss him everyday. I still have his ashes with me in my study together with his collar, and his old blanket which still smells of him. Call me a cunt if you like, but just writing this makes me unset knowing he’s not here.

    • I grew up with Boxers. Real characters.

      More like flying a kite than walking a dog.

      • Thanks Jill.

        Very true cuntamus……the dogs that never grows up. So puppy like all the time.

        Very strong though……when I walked mine on a lead it was like they (we had two at one point-) were mountain climbing along the pavement. All low, squat and pulling you along (could never train them out of it) fucked my shoulder right up for a good few years. Since they’ve gone, my shoulder has been a lot better, so now I know it was them pulling it out its socket.

      • Great analogy C.P. my old man’s Doberman was the same, I know exactly what you mean.
        I miss that mad mutt.

  10. I’ve had my heart broken 3 times in the last 18 months. First was my longhaired black cat, followed by our little SBT in October then our oldest cat in April died in his sleep aged 18. Got to go through this another 4 times yet☹️ My condolences to all of you who’ve lost your pets❤️

  11. For anyone going through it or been through it. It hurts like hell and I feel for you.

    Love ’em while you’ve got ’em.

    Remember the good times when they’re gone.

    And be thankful for the privilege of having known them. 👍

  12. The Russian family along the road to us had a small dog which we used to look after when they were away.

    Just for the odd night.

    One day we heard dogs playing outside of our house.
    The Russian dog had found a stray friend she had come across on the beach.

    He was a podenco who was fortunate to have been dumped and not shot by his hunter owner.

    They played outside every day for about a week.
    We left our front gate open for them so there was water for them to drink.

    Gradually and over many days the stray ventured further and further into our property.

    The 2 dogs then came into our house.

    We had food for them and the stray ate and then fell asleep.

    The Russian dog then quickly and quietly ran off, leaving his little friend with us.
    She knew that her friend needed a family and that we loved dogs but we didn’t have one of our own.

    We kept and cared for the podenco for the next 15 years.
    We had to let him go at the estimated age of 17 due to liver cancer.

    The life expectancy of a podenco is 8 to 10 years.
    We were blessed and still miss him every day.

    • Mrs Cunter has just asked me what is wrong.

      There were tears running down my face as I remembered and wrote the above reply.

      If you have ever lost a dog you would understand.

      • Hey Artful,

        Real men grieve the loss of their pets and despite a common misconception…they cry over them too.

      • If we lived inland with plenty of space Mrs Cunter would have at least a dozen dogs.
        There are so many strays but it’s unusual to have a stray podenco far from the hunting fields.

        There is a dog pound in almost all towns in Spain.
        In larger towns there will be 2 or 3.
        Unfortunately they are under funded by the town halls.

        I have a specialist company that sees at least one customer every day.
        I donate 50 euros from each job to the local dog sanctuary.
        I either pay the two guys who look after the place in cash, which I know that all of it gets spent on the dogs, or I will have a van loaded full of food, toys, treats and bedding and have it delivered by one of my team.

        Sometimes on a good month a combination of the two.

        There is no tax deduction for these monthly donations and I don’t advertise what my company does for the dogs.

        I do it for the dogs.

      • You are a star, Art.

        I try to, in a small way. I support several local volunteer run dog/cat charities, by donating food, toys and bedding through Wishlist accounts.

        You pay for it, they deliver it.

      • I wrote that I do it for the dogs JP.

        That’s not entirely true.

        Sometimes when I need cheering up I will drive to the dog pound and help out.
        I like to give the dogs a shower, not all of them obviously, maybe half a dozen of them over the course of an hour or so.

        Other times I will just sit in their field and watch them play.
        Surrounded by dogs who at first will jump all over me before (hopefully) sleeping, huddled around me.

        Dogs give back more than anyone can give them.

        I take advantage and always leave happier.

  13. We lost Grumps our 19 year old moggie on December 7th last year. We swore that we would have no more cats . On February 13th we collected a pair of beautiful biscuit ginger kittens , Lennie and Paddy. To say that they have brightened our lives up is an understatement.
    They are little buggers though.

    • Good for you Guzzi, little tuckers lol.

      People say they are not faithful like dogs. Not true. my cat would not take food from anyone but me, not even my ex. followed me everywhere, I have even pissed on her head when she followed me into the bathroom, unbeknownst to me, and stuck her head through my legs to see what I was doing lol.

      Came to bed every night, knew not to wake me up, but as soon as I did, love was required.

      I’m sure the new additions will dim the pain of your loss, and brighten your life.

    • I love orange cats. They are so predictably unpredictable.

      Funny as all get out!

  14. We can’t get to our age without loss JP, its part of life.

    I hope you haven’t been hurt recently, really.

    If you have, my commiserations, and just know it fades in time.

    Never goes away, but it becomes bearable.

    • Termujin.

      Younger had to have her lovely ex-racing greyhound girl put to sleep last weekend.

      I was daytime dog sitter, and you grow to love them, too, especially when they belong to your family and you see them on a regular basis.

      Youngers working hours changed, and I wasn’t needed to dogsit, hence why I adopted Bram, but I still saw her, and I loved her, and I’m heartbroken.

      • So sorry to hear that JP, my heart goes out to you.

        We’ve crossed swords on couple of occasions here, but certainly not on this matter.

        They have such distinct personalities. I can honestly say I was more upset when my dog died (Piggy) than when my mother did, because he was a better ‘person’.

        Feel for you mate, just remember the good times, and who knows, you’ll probably get to see him again one day.

  16. I was knocked slightly off kilter when I took my daughters rabbit to be put down.

    A ten year old rabbit,how ridiculous I thought as the Mrs was crying and I was welling up a bit.

    Surprising how these things get to a chap.

    What a superb,thoughtful nomination.

    • Thank you, Unkle.

      Can I please take this opportunity to thank Admin for the header.

  17. With you on this JP, I can honestly say there there are people I would rather loose than my dog, I fact there are certain groups of people that I would rather see gone than dogs….

    • There’s a rapidly growing group of people in this country, apparently mostly peaceful, that I would rather lose than the ants in my garden. And I fucking loathe the ants, millions of the fuckers.

  18. Must stop this, I’m getting Stephen Fry’d ( tired and emotional), and I’ve a lovely nom to write up, that I’ll need my wits about me, to make it coherent.

  19. Thanks guys and Girls, been there done that still a pisser 40, 30 and 20 years ago.
    Lovely animals all of them. Still missed.

  20. Having gone to the vet to help collect then bury the old man with his and mum’s poor bully at the end of April, it isn’t much fun.

    As ive said above, I don’t know anyone csllous or stupid enough to say ‘it’s just a dog’.

    Perhsps its because, when they do say things like that,such people are ostracised from normal society, or are bludgeoned and go into hiding.

    • That came out wrong;
      having gone with the old man to collect and bury his and mother’s poor bully…

  21. Horrible day when I had to take our dog for his last visit to the vets. They were very good and let me out the back door; I couldn’t face seeing anyone at the time. It’s much misunderstood by the ‘it’s just a dog’ brigade. Condolences to anyone losing their pet.

    • The local vet has done that for us every time since he moved practice to a bigger building. Even when you’re just taking your own for a check up and see the poor people sobbing while the nurses lift the pet or cage in to the boot of the car. Makes your blood run cold.

  22. Hey JP, just reading through all the heart warming, heart-wrenching, funny, sad and nostalgic comments, I think you may have done the impossible and united IsAC in peace, for an afternoon anyway.

  23. Strange as it may sound, the sad passing of my Rottweiler helped me to deal with the loss of my Mum.

    I had never felt grief so deep for any other living thing the day my Rottweiler took his last trip to the vet.

    I had to deal with it as you do, because life has to move on.

    He now sleeps in a tiny pine box on the shelf of my bedside table. Always by my side when I sleep.

    • My last cat’s ashes are in a curled up cat shaped wooden urn on my turntable that’s next to the TV. I don’t half miss her.

    • Faithful to the end mate.

      My Piggy was a Rotty, best dog a man could ask for.

      Nice as pie, to everyone, unless they weren’t lol.

      Nice to know he’s still there, and maybe you get to meet again one day, when this nonsense is over?

      • God, I hope so.

        I’ve had very few dogs in my lifetime, Six including my current one, but I’ve had loads of cats.

        Round about 20, and because I’m responsible, they were all indoor cats, and all rescues. Most lived to late teens and one to 21. I miss them all and remember them fondly.

        But there’s one I really need to apologies to, and I hope he’s waiting for me so I can tell him how very sorry I am.
        I got it wrong, Jasper.

      • I’m sure Jasper accepts your apology.

        He just needs a tummy stroke, and he’s golden.

        Relax mate,. The grass withers, and the flowers fade, but..

        I’m sure you know the rest.

  24. I lost my border terrier to a brain tumor, this was back in march 2022. You know instinctively when something is wrong.
    He started by behaving very odd, growling at me and other dogs. He was raised by me from a pup, and was soft as they come. Then he had seizure which where disturbing. He then stopped eating, I knew something was seriously wrong. I spent thousands trying to help him. Fortunately mostly recovered by insurance. In the end I had to say good by to him, it destroyed me. We where lucky to arrange for him to be euthanised at home, in piece with us holding him( unfortunately not something people get). Carrying him out to the vets car was incredibly painful, but a huge honour for me.
    He had been my best friend through the most torrid times, he gave me reason to pull my life back together after some horrible shit. A reason to get up and I was incredibly lucky to have him. I believe no one can comment on it untill they experience the unconditional love a pet can bring. He was only 7 and a half years old, it took a long time to stop blaming myself for it. Nature is one cruel cunt, its why I don’t believe in sky ferries.
    honestly if anyone has to go though that, try to do it at home, it’s less stressful for all involved. Neither me or my wife could have driven after that either! I’ll raise a glass to him tonight!

      • Immensely difficult; but definitely an honour, to have had him and been there for him at the end. He had always been there for me. It’s hard to underestimate the feeling of loosing something that’s always with you. I didn’t even see my wife as much. I’m self employed, so he went everywhere with me. It has left a huge hole for us, but more so for me. As I had him when I met my wife.

    • My last but one cat loved her food. I always thought I’d know something was wrong with her if she stopped eating. That’s what happened. Long story short, they said it was her kidneys and an operation might cost thousands. I said I’d pay it. She was just sitting quietly in her carrier looking at me, as though to say ‘help me’.
      He rang the next day to say she had deteriorated and he didn’t think it was worth operating. He said if I was a millionaire he’d be telling me the same thing. I asked them to stop her suffering.
      I’ve got another cat now but I’ve not forgotten her.

      • Horrible stuff, it’s very hard to know when to stop. We had lined up a scan for my dog. Then it just got so bad, and he got so weak. I had to stop it at that point. The vet at the end said he wouldn’t have survived the anesthetic. The hardest bit is definitely making that choice. Because it’s ours and ours alone.

  25. I’m not a man who cries easily.
    I’ve lost mates, family members,
    But I’ve cried like a little girl over losing all my dogs.

    The one I’ve got now is 8yrs.
    I’ll be like Queen Victoria mourning her ,
    When she goes.

    Dogs are truly man’s best friends.

    They exhibit all the qualities I admire,
    Loyalty
    Humour
    Protective of family

    Nowt as good as the bond between a man and his dog.

    • We don’t deserve them.

      Always pleased to see you after a shit day at work. Tail wagging and a big cheerful smile.

      Always happy for simple pleasures like a long stroll without a word spoken.

      A cold, wet snout nudging your arm for a cuddle when life kicks you in the gonads.

      They’re nature’s anti-depressant.

  26. This is a good nom JP,
    But it’s breaking my fuckin heart reading the posts.
    ☹️

    I’m taking the dog for a walk.
    Set it on some dark keys
    .

  27. this is a terrible nomination, I lost my Belgian shepherd dog Sam last year due to old age, in his last few months he slept a lot and was very stiff and he started to wet himself, then one day he started howling terribly, vet could find nothing wrong with him but the vet said he was 90 in human years, so I just took the summer off and we spent it in Cornwall and Devon , , I wanted to give him his last days with me constantly at his side and a week after we came home he just slipped away in the night beside me on the bed, I glad is was beside him i hope the last time he saw me he was happy, it was a mixed morning, very sad but I’m happy his old age and last days were good, I got his remains home and its on a cabinet with his collar, lead, and picture, 3 months ago i found one of his dog chews when i cleaned behind the fridge, it was a sad reminder, how i missed him , but he had a great life and never went without, yes losing a dog is awful, but think about the good times and love a dog gives you, much respect to you all, dog loss is the ultimate cunt

    • What did you have, Sid?

      I currently have a Tervuren and my daughter has his brother, a Groenendael.

      • hi Odin , my Sam was a gronendael, he was born and bred in Kent since I was 10 years old we have had gronendaels in the family, they are zellik

      • it’s such a sad process a pet dying, every thing you would and could do to keep them forever, but the reality is that you can’t, every little thing a dog did Will never be the Same after they have gone, when the new pet comes, every animal has it’s own way of life with you

  28. I still miss my elderly Jack Russell Buddy who died two years ago even though I’ve since rescued another one.

    • Sorry for your loss. I’m sure Buddy is never far away,

      BUT, we’ll done for adopting another, ACFAS, I hope you have lots of fun and love together.

      Might we know what you’ve named your new scrapper?

      • Thanks JP. I keep Bud’s ashes in the living room where we used to sit together so he’s still at the heart of everything. The new one is called Marble. He’s a tan and white like Buddy but has a distinct marble effect on his ears. I rescued him at six months old from Jack Russell Rescue UK. He’d been dumped by pikeys at four-five months old apparently. Buddy was rescued at six and a half years old after a life of abuse that had made him very nervous but we had a very happy nine years together.

  29. Excellent nom.

    Like several posting here, I have been through this grieving process on multiple occasions. Both cats and dogs, I loved every one of them with their own unique personalities.

    All I can add is – it never gets any easier.

  30. A sad nom but it fills me with gladness that all on isac are compassionate souls who understand how much a pet can mean to a person regardless of the animal and not a bunch of can’t see the point of pets type cunts.

    • agreed, we my all have our prejudices, but a pet… humans should be more like dogs …except p@kis

    • I think loss connects more people than it divides. We all have various thoughts about topics.
      However you would be dysfunctional, if you didn’t find lossing a pet, or close person distressing. I think on this subject we are unanimous in how much of a cunt it is.

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