If anybody here knows how best to get over the death of a dog, your views would be greatfully read.

When I was just four years old, my parents packed up me and my older sister into the car and we drove out into the countryside just outside of Bristol and visited Hollyhedge Dogs Home. There, my parents fell in love with a six month old puppy (a cross terrier/lurcher) named Zoe. She had been brought to the home after she had been found left to fend for herself after her owners gave her up (they beat her).

Zoe

We took her home and gave her the most loving home possible for years. She was an extremely affectionate dog and was great with all other dogs, cats and children. She was a total wuss and would never hurt a fly...but that was why we loved her so much. She could run faster than any other dog....it was crazy and meant that we would never catch her if she ran away!

Sadly, just before I turned twenty-one this year, my dog had to be put down, aged seventeen. She had a good life which deteriorated rapidly in her last few months, however, we had known for some time that this day would come as she had gotten very slow.

All four of us took her to the vets, along with my Grandad who loved her very much and when the vet asked if someone wanted to hold her while they did it to calm her, I said that I would do it. The youngest family member in the room.

I looked at her the whole time and held her, stroking her. I felt her stop breathing in my arms. It was horrendous. I did not cry the whole time I held her, though my family cried around me, but as soon as I was sure that she would not breathe again, I left the room and cried silent sobs away from prying eyes.

It has become easier to cope with being in the house, however it took weeks to stop expecting to see her every morning when I got up, to stop going to the kitchen every night to cuddle her goodnight, and to eventually start turning off the light in the kitchen because she was no longer there.


http://www.bluecross.org.uk/web/site/Memorial/Memorials/ZoeEllacott.asp
I found it easier to cope by creating a pet memorial for her.

I do still find it difficult to see dogs with their owners out and about, and I can't watch animal rescue programs. We recently got a kitten and I could not go into the RSPCA to pick him up because to get to the cats...you had to walk past all of the dogs.

However, on Thursday, I was very brave and took our new kitten to the vets for an injection and held him, in the room next to where my gorgeous baby girl died.

Rest in Peace Zoe,
I will always love you
xx