Blog Author
desertflower
(view profile)
Recent Entries to this Blog Visiting Horses, Dog Baths and Other Stuff
Posted: 01 Feb 2010
Starting Over
Posted: 25 Jan 2010
Back In the Real World
Posted: 19 Jul 2009
Life as an Oklahoman
Posted: 04 May 2008
Life and Living
Posted: 14 Mar 2008

All Entries
 


Grief stricken but moving on...

Category: My animals | Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2007 9:08 pm

First things first...Thank you friends for being supportive and the kind words. At first I could not even talk about it and felt sooo traumatized and this was the place I chose to share my feelings. I am really grateful for the acceptance and kindness found on this site.

I am going to tell what happened, mainly so pet owners can be aware because I centainly never expected something like this to happen. It has happened before, to someone I'm sure, but I had never heard about it.

Thankfully, for my own sanity, Felony had a good last day. I had gone out after a nice rain and played ball with her. When I fed her, I gave her a treat of a tiny bit of can dog food mixed with her kibble. She loved on me and I loved on her. We had company( two of my sons and daughter-in laws) After playing ball she was a bit muddy so I did not bring her in till they left. I took her bedtime dog treat to the door and called her(it was dark). When she didn't come I went out to see what was going on. She was not in her dog house so I scanned the yard and saw her lying with a coffee can, of all things, on her head. I ran to her and she was already gone. I don't (hope, hope) think she suffered for very long, as she was right where the can had been when I came in. No sign of struggle around her. I totally lost it of course and my hubby went running out. After initial finding, I could not go out again. He said the can was on very tightly and it completely sealed the air off. What makes me sick is I had used the can to feed my Chihuahuas (I reaise a few for a little extra income) and had 2 peices of dog food in it still. I never, in a million years, saw this coming.

There is virtually nothing in my yard, where she was allowed, that I thought could even possibly be harmful. She had her toys, a couple of flat basket balls and that was about it. I know it was a freak accident, but I felt so responsible for her safety that I can't help not feeling bad that I left the can in there.

The can was one of the newer metal cans with the lip on the inside that you peal the foil covering off of. I think it would have had a totally different outcome if that lip had not been there. For one, there wouldn't have been anything left in the can and two, it would have slipped off easier.

Well, I can't undo this tragic accident and I must move on and not let it rob me of my sanity. I will post warnings and tell other pet owners so it won't happen to them.

We buried her on our property. I will never forget her and only have good memories while she was with us. Plus, I have a lovely birdbath that she helped me with that has her signature right on the front of it!

I know she was a dog and not a human but losing her hurt as much( and I have lost a lot of loved ones throughout my life). I have learned from this. What may not be tragic to one person, can completely devestate another. The condition that person is in when faced with trauma of any kind also has a lot to do with their reaction and the way it affects them. This showed me just what a fragile state I am in. I will get stronger and healthier(mentally). It would be a double tragedy if the death of something or someone were allowed to destroy a living person. We all have someone (or lots of someones) who love us and depend on us to be in their life. I will work through the stages of grief but I won't put my life on hold to do it. Having said that, I will be introducing you all to my new puppy soon. He didn't take Felony's place but he surely filled a void.



This blog entry has been viewed 653 times
You're reading one of many blogs on GardenStew.com.
Register for free and start your own blog today.


Comments

 

CritterPainter wrote on Fri Jul 27, 2007 11:02 pm:


Oh sweetie, no wonder you have been in shock! Certainly no way you could have foreseen this. I sincerely hope your new puppy helps your heart heal.




 

Desert Rat wrote on Sat Jul 28, 2007 12:19 am:


There is no such thing as just a dog, not a human. Problem is, dogs are children all their lives. It is very hard to watch every minute. I am so sorry about your loss. I know I worry about Chance so much. She is so tough and self-assured but accidents happen.
dr




 

cajunbelle wrote on Sat Jul 28, 2007 12:55 am:


I agree with DR, there is no such thing as just a dog, they are as much a part of our lives as our children are. Give yourself some time to heal, and know that Felony would not want you to put your life on hold. God bless you, you are in my prayers.




 

Frank wrote on Sat Jul 28, 2007 1:16 am:


Don't blame yourself whatsoever for what happened DF. It was a very freak accident indeed. Loosing a pet is always a sad event but I think if Felony could convey it in words she would wish for you to carry on with things and show the new puppy all the love you showed her.




 

desertflower wrote on Sat Jul 28, 2007 2:32 am:


Thanks everyone. I do miss her so much and all the things she did to give back to us. I try not to think about it but have you noticed when you try not to think about something, you already are by trying not to? Any way I have moments of sadness but have to laugh through my tears at this puppy. He is so different from her and I like that. I wont try to re-create her. She never shredded anything and tried to so hard to please. Puppy(will officially name him soon) shreds everything he gets a hold of especially papers. He is 2 1/2 mo old tho and she was 6 weeks when we got her. He is very smart tho and is learning commands quickly. Also very good at going outside when he needs to. He will be a good dog and hopefully I will be a good pack leader for him. I just hate haing to deal with this pain I wish I could make it go away. You guys do help a lot and I hope you don't mind my "cyber-leaning" right now.




 

glendann wrote on Sat Jul 28, 2007 3:25 am:


Desert Flower I think I know how you feel ,I would be so alone if I lost Oreo as he is all I have here to talk to sre play with.I am always afraid somrthing will happen to him.
Do not try to blame yourself as it was something I would have never thought of happening.I will be out tomorrow looking my yard over.Its sad for Felony to give his life maybe to save others on heres little buddies.The new puppy will help heal your heart some and help the pain lesson as time goes on.I am just so sorry it happened.




 

heathermt75 wrote on Sat Jul 28, 2007 8:21 am:


Desert Flower, I'm so very sorry to hear about Felony. I have lost two dogs, Tucker and Zack. Tucker was like my child. He was a Yorkie and was ALWAYS with me, in my lap or sleeping at my feet.It isn't your fault at all and it can't be changed. But hopefully out of this tragedy, people will become more aware of their pets' surroundings. Can't wait to meet the new puppy and I'm sure it will take time to heal your heart. My heart goes out to you.




 

bethie wrote on Sat Jul 28, 2007 3:39 pm:


Well, I'm just heartbroken to read this. Pet love is like any other kind of love, an untimely end is just so shocking. You just couldn't forsee this and Musn't blame yourself. I'm glad you will have a new puppy to love. This one will be unique unto itself but will bring you dog JOY again. So very sorry.





Leave a Comment


Login or register to leave a comment.









Archives All Entries
March 2024
February 2024
January 2024
December 2023
November 2023
October 2023
September 2023
August 2023
July 2023
June 2023
May 2023
April 2023
March 2023
February 2023
January 2023
December 2022
November 2022
October 2022
September 2022
August 2022
July 2022
June 2022
May 2022
April 2022
March 2022
February 2022
January 2022
December 2021
November 2021
October 2021
September 2021
August 2021
July 2021
June 2021
May 2021
April 2021
March 2021
February 2021
January 2021
December 2020
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
August 2020
July 2020
June 2020
May 2020
April 2020
March 2020
February 2020
January 2020
December 2019
November 2019
October 2019
September 2019
August 2019
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
April 2019
March 2019
February 2019
January 2019
December 2018
November 2018
October 2018
September 2018
August 2018
July 2018
June 2018
May 2018
April 2018
March 2018
February 2018
January 2018
December 2017
November 2017
October 2017
September 2017
August 2017
July 2017
June 2017
May 2017
April 2017
March 2017
February 2017
January 2017
December 2016
November 2016
October 2016
September 2016
August 2016
July 2016
June 2016
May 2016
April 2016
March 2016
February 2016
January 2016
December 2015
November 2015
October 2015
September 2015
August 2015
July 2015
June 2015
May 2015
April 2015
March 2015
February 2015
January 2015
December 2014
November 2014
October 2014
September 2014
August 2014
July 2014
June 2014
May 2014
April 2014
March 2014
February 2014
January 2014
December 2013
November 2013
October 2013
September 2013
August 2013
July 2013
June 2013
May 2013
April 2013
March 2013
February 2013
January 2013
December 2012
November 2012
October 2012
September 2012
August 2012
July 2012
June 2012
May 2012
April 2012
March 2012
February 2012
January 2012
December 2011
November 2011
October 2011
September 2011
August 2011
July 2011
June 2011
May 2011
April 2011
March 2011
February 2011
January 2011
December 2010
November 2010
October 2010
September 2010
August 2010
July 2010
June 2010
May 2010
April 2010
March 2010
February 2010
January 2010
December 2009
November 2009
October 2009
September 2009
August 2009
July 2009
June 2009
May 2009
April 2009
March 2009
February 2009
January 2009
December 2008
November 2008
October 2008
September 2008
August 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
January 2008
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007