Grieving the loss of a pet
different for everyone
By Nancy G. Nichols
Board Member
My first article was called “Owning an older dog.” I had written about keeping up with your responsibilities as a pet owner when your dog gets old. The puppy days do end and the responsibilities do grow, especially if your pet gets ill — also, not to close the door about owning another pet after your fur baby passes away.
Well time has come to let you know that Stephen and I lost our “Miss Sheba” on Nov. 4. She had a stroke and we felt that it was best to let her go (for both Sheba and us). It was the most difficult decision that we had to make and now we are dealing with the loss of our pet. We have good days and bad days. After 15 years of having her, it created a huge void not only in our home, but in our hearts. We’ve had several individuals approach us asking if we have gotten another dog yet. We tell them that we are not ready to adopt at this time. Everyone grieves in different ways.
For some, they can’t take the emptiness and get another animal immediately. Others need the time to grieve properly. In my article I had urged people to not “close the door” to adopting another pet. I know our door is not closed, but it will be a while before we adopt again. I’m sure an opportunity will present itself where we know it will be the right time to make a decision in owning a pet again. We know we can never replace our Sheba, but if we need a “pooch fix” we go to the fence in our backyard and give some loving to our neighboring pooch, Zephyr. He gives us a lot of love that we are missing.
What I am getting at is “don’t do things on impulse.” Think things through and make a sound decision once ready. When we are ready to adopt, the first place we will start looking is the animal shelter.
Please consider making room in your heart and home for one of the animals available at the Central Aroostook Humane Society’s animal shelter. There are cats and dogs that need loving homes! Visit us at 26 Cross Street in Presque Isle to adopt the forever pet that is right for you. Hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday, closed for lunch from noon to 12:30 p.m.
