my baby is dying. at Christmas.

Question

How do I cope? Losing my baby at this what should be a joyful time. My heart cries and bleeds for her. 17 yrs old. A cockatoo. Koko. That's her name and even as sick as she is, still beautiful. Hell me I'm trying to work and care for her. I am tired and sick. And only cry. I can not deal with this now. Its too much.

tonyb286 · Answer

I meant to add ... I noticed your TAG for the post was Kidney Failure. If Koko is a dog and has kidney failure, please consider joining our User Group - the Chronic Kidney Failure in Dogs User Group. Hover your mouse over the Forums button and click User Groups. Copy and paste the name of the Group in the search bar. You can post threads to this Group, whose members are all owners of dogs with or that have had kidney failure. They are a fabulous group of friendly and supportive people and I'm sure you will find it helpful to you.

Tony

tonyb286 · Answer

This time of the year does make the potential loss of a beloved pet that much more intense. I believe there is no comparable or more intense pain than emotional turmoil. It affects us in so many ways - and sometimes others around us either don't understand, don't appreciate the pain we are going through or simply don't see the trauma we are suffering, because we hide it from them.

Although I know you are trying to do everything you can for Koko, you also need to take good care of yourself too. If you can, ask someone you trust to take over the care for a few hours, just so you can get some fresh air, take a walk, meet with friends or otherwise distract yourself from things. Maybe even just so you can get a good night's sleep.

I wrote a piece about losing a pet that you might find useful. You can find it here:

http://www.infobarrel.com/When_a_Pet_Dog_Dies

Take care. Tony

Jerry_NJ · Answer

You may find some helpful words in my thread "heart broken - Wilson is gone" and even find some path ideas on dealing and even mediation.

In my last post of a few minutes ago I talk about taking a prescription medication to help ease my pain/anxiety/panic/depression... I think that about sums it up.  I'll let all know if I get any help from the medication - I'm getting up from my computer right now to take my first dose.. the first such in my long life - my how we can suffer the loss of a pet.

ginger899 · Answer

I am so very sorry about Koko. It makes the Christmas Season very painful and full of grieving.
Is Koko a Cockatoo? A bird? In which case I think you have accidentally posted in the wrong forum, as this is the Dogs forum.

I was just wondering if you mis-typed, and I got that wrong, and instead Koko is a Cockapoo (a dog, crossed between a cocker spaniel and poodle.)

I'll wait to hear back from you about that and if you did mean "Cockatoo" then I can ask for your thread to be moved for you to the right forum.

Just give dear Koko all your love, even though you are sick yourself and deeply upset. Calm her, surround her with your love and care until the last moment, then help her gently out of this world, to wait for you there, as she will. Love doesn't die. And animals, birds, and all creatures pass through into a wonderful life in spirit.