Help for Disney Magic after Pet Loss

[Princess.Neve]

I'm sorry to post a sad topic, but I thought I could turn to you all for some helpful ideas. Yesterday I had to put down my baby of 14.5 years, my dog Sophie, as she was losing her fight against cancer. I've raised her since she was a puppy and she was essentially my child/ sister/ best friend. I've been so upset since it happened.

My question is this: I've got a trip coming up next Saturday but I'm worried because I've lost some of that Disney magic leading up to it. Do you have any tips about what to do to recover from this loss or get some magic back? I've never lost a pet before.

I guess part of me is just scared that as she is watching down from the Rainbow Bridge I'll be doing her a disservice by hopefully have a great time at the World. I miss her terribly.

Thank You for reading my long post and if you have any tips about finding magic or coping with the loss of a pet, I'd really appreciate them. Thank You.

 

[lovetoscrap]

I am so sorry for your loss. I know how much pain you are in. We had to put our beloved 20 year old cat down the week DH and I were leaving for a cruise, our very first trip of just the two of us. I really thought that there was no way we could enjoy the trip but we weren't going to cancel.

As with dealing with any death it does get better day by day. I cried so much that week. But it actually did DH and I a lot of good to get out of the house and go somewhere else to "help us get our minds off of it". And we really were looking forward to the trip and needed to get away. There were some times we caught each other thinking about her, but we had a wonderful time.

Grandma came to stay with our girls and they too really enjoyed the change of pace and it helped break the daily routine that had always included Abby.

You will never truly get over it. I still tear up when I see a picture of a kitty that looks like my Abby. And the other day I was in a local store and turned around and they had a cat that looked exactly like her-- I had to leave because it was just too hard.

Go to Disney and have a good time. Sophie knows that you have to go on with out her. She is in a happy place now and you should be also.

 

[ambgoph]

So sorry to hear about your loss.

We had to put down our cat in Sept. due to cancer. Reading the Rainbow Bridge really helped. It's really hard, but as time goes by it does get easier. Remember the good times you shared - look at old photos.

Going on the cruise will help. Watch a couple of Disney movies and try to relax. I hope your trip is filled with a lot of pixie dust.

Hang in there!

 

[perdidobay]

I'm so sorry for your loss

My DD found out her cat died despite getting care while at the vets, at the time we were driving down to WDW. I gave her the option of turning around and heading back home or continuing on our trip. She said to keep going to WDW but I think she only did it at the time for her sister's sake. She had good days and bad days while on that trip. Looking back, she said it was the best thing to do as it somewhat took her mind off her loss. It was grieve at home or on the trip. Only you can decide what is best for you.

 

[Lorix2]

I'm very sorry for your loss.

It is a year this month since our beloved "pepper girl" died in our kitchen. We all still feel her loss. We had her for 13.5 years and she was very much a part of our family.

I know it's going to be hard to enjoy yourself, but even our pets want us to be happy and she'll be with you in spirit. Only time will help ease the heartache.

I hope you will have a wonderful trip despite your hurting right now

 

[disneyfan123]

So sorry you lost your furr baby.

We had to take a trip to a wedding just after our cat was put down. It was also my first time losing a pet and it was devastating. I cried for a week straight and found it very healing to do some things to honour my pet. I wrote a poem for him and made a little dedication for him on our fireplace mantle with a picture and some of his favourite toys. You never stop missing them, but it does get easier. Crying itself is a way of healing.

Sophie was so lucky to have someone that loved her so much. You were able to risk your own pain of losing her to ease her pain and she will not forget that. She will remain in your heart whether you are at home or in Disney World and will always know how much you loved her.

 

[focusondisney]

I'm so sorry for your loss.

I understand what you're going thru: we lost our 13 yr. old dog last year. Our whole family loved him & we were missing him for a long time. Still do actually. My DH & I had a vacation planned for 2 days after we had to put him to sleep. We did better than our poor daughter, who was left home alone in an empty house. We were able to enjoy the trip, but we felt it more once we got home & he wasn't there.

I know how hard it was to make the decision, but keep reminding yourself that you did the right thing. I hope you'll enjoy the trip!

 

[Jockaroo]

I'm sorry to post a sad topic, but I thought I could turn to you all for some helpful ideas. Yesterday I had to put down my baby of 14.5 years, my dog Sophie, as she was losing her fight against cancer. I've raised her since she was a puppy and she was essentially my child/ sister/ best friend. I've been so upset since it happened.

My question is this: I've got a trip coming up next Saturday but I'm worried because I've lost some of that Disney magic leading up to it. Do you have any tips about what to do to recover from this loss or get some magic back? I've never lost a pet before.

I guess part of me is just scared that as she is watching down from the Rainbow Bridge I'll be doing her a disservice by hopefully have a great time at the World. I miss her terribly.

Thank You for reading my long post and if you have any tips about finding magic or coping with the loss of a pet, I'd really appreciate them. Thank You.

First, you need to be commended for giving your sweet Sophie a wonderful, long, healthy and happy life. I lost my 14 1/2 year old Scottie in September (liver cancer, we let him go about 36 hours after diagnosis--I never had time to let it sink in that he had cancer, just that he was so very sick and could not recover). I have a huge hole in my heart, but at the same time, I know that he had a wonderful life. I hope you can find some comfort in the many years you were blessed to have together. I know, it is very hard to think this when your heart has been ripped in half.

You need to grieve. If that means that your Disney trip isn't as "magical" then so be it. Your mind may be preoccupied during your trip and it is OK. You need time and tears to allow Sophie to move into her new home--your heart. Know that even though she isn't physically by your side, she lives forever in your heart. During your time of grief, your Disney trip may serve as a distraction and this can be valuable as you find ways to cope. Try to have a nice trip, but know that it is OK if you need to cry at the "happiest place". Disney isn't what is important; healing your heart is. I a very sorry for your loss. Know that you gave Sophie a priceless final gift--you released her from a painful body.

 

[mrsstats]

I am so sorry for your loss. It is not easy. Go on your trip and try to enjoy as best as you can. We were on one vacation and had to have our 14 year old dog put to sleep while we were away. Tallk about guilt.

 

[mousey]

I know what your going through. I lost my dear kitty who was only 6 yrs old to cancer a few years ago. Putting him down was one of the hardest things I have had to do in my life. I second guess myself all the time but we did everything we could just like I'm sure you did.
Unfortunately life goes on and we have many good memories of him that I think about all the time.
You need the cruise to take your mind of your sadness. It does get better.

 

[Diva of Dragons]

I'm so sorry for your loss!! I take pet deaths very hard and we have lost 2 in the last year or so.

Last year, our dog got stomach torsion. He was perfectly fine at 7:00am and gone by 4:00pm that same day. It was horrid!

That being said....we had already made reservations, for that night, to go to a special event for Disney Vacation Club members, at the Disneyland Hotel. We waffled on going because it was only a few hours after having to make the call to put Kodi to sleep. We decided to go, red eyes, stuffy noses and all. It couldn't be worse than sitting at home crying all night, right?. I'm so glad we went! To this day I have to be reminded those things took place on the same day. We had a good time, despite the sadness, and it was a good distraction.

Just know that once you get on your trip, you will be fine. It just really tough right now but it will get better.