My First Rottie

[ZorandZeus]

I got my first Rottie, Zor, almost 8 years ago. I didn't know much about the breed, but my husband was sure I would love having such a good friend and companion. He was right. Zor became the only pet I have ever had that I had a unexplainable bond with. This past Monday, my husband and I had to make the gut-wrenching decision to let Zor go to the Rainbow Bridge, for several reasons. I know we made the right choice for him, and for us. My heart is absolutely broken, my husband's, too. We did not tell our kids the truth, just that Zor went to a beautiful place where he gets to play with other dogs all day and be happy. They don't understand and are very upset as well. I need some help in making them understand. We were going to tell them the truth, but they are absolutely devasted at the thought of him being somewhere else, and now I can't possibly tell them. I have another Rottie at home, Zeus, who is only 3. He is so sad, too. We're trying to give him so much love, but do dogs have a sense about these things? I worry about him so much now, too. Now I'm rambling...this week sucks. I miss my baby.

[rottnkidd]

I am so sorry to hear about your loss. You didn't state how old your children are, but I believe they should know the truth, even if they are not able to comprehend it. Leading them to believe the dog is living elsewhere must be causing them more grief then even the truth would.
Here is a site that may offer you help in talking to them about their loss. It also makes some book recommendations.
I hope it helps to comfort them, and you.
-- Beliefnet.com
kathy

[jesse2001]

So sorry to hear about Zor. I know exactly how you feel after losing our Jess this past Sunday under similar circumstances.It is such an empty feeling that only time will heal.We have a 2 year old daughter who still asks for Jess but all we say is she is gone. I am glad she is only 2 and doesn't comprehend too much yet. Dogs lives are just far too short for us. Good wishes to all your family.

[kerry]

I am so sorry for your loss.. It hurts like nothing else....I lost my first rotty baby last year and I mean, I didn't know if I was going to survive!!
Long story short...about the third day...a poem came to me...I have posted it before..once for a ten yr. old that was having trouble...It has given me great comfort...Here it is..

New Feet

Please, quiet your heart my Master,
For I still live in there..
Although you cannot see me,
I'm still watching over you with care.

I saw you there beside me,
crying, and in pain..
And for once I could do nothing..
But please, trust me once more Master..
That we will be together again..

Things are alot different these days..
The ground feels ever so strange..
More like the wind in my face,
Than grass with dewy blades..

Forgive me for saying so Master,
But you seem ever so slow..
Much like you must have felt about me,
When it was my time to go..

But don't worry Master,
I will adjust my pace..
Just as you did for me,
in my final day days..

I look forward to being with you again..
To run through the mountains and creek..
Oh Master, there is no way to let you know..
How much your gonna like these new feet..

I'm so sorry...Hope this helps..Good luck with the little ones...

[Jantea]

I am so sorry for your loss. Most here totally understand that "unexplainable bond" you shared with your Zor. May that bond and the wonderful memories you have of your heart dog bring you comfort in the days and weeks to come. RIP Zor...and romp and play with my heart dog Max at the bridge.

[Sheenagirl]

I am so sorry for the loss of your Zor. Count yourself lucky to have experienced the great bond and love from a heart dog - it is just amazing!
Although, like you, I know all too well the heartache in letting them go.
I think it would be better to tell your children that Zor is at the Rainbow Bridge in Heaven and whatever else you want to add.
RIP Zor, fly with the angels and find Sheena to play with you!

[livertw]

I am so sorry for your loss. RIP, Zor.

[ZorandZeus]

Thank you everyone for your support. I have been struggling with telling my kids the truth because they are old enough to understand about death, they have experienced it a lot more than most kids their age (12 & 8). I guess the one reason we hold back is because of the circumstances of having to put Zor down. We didn't discuss it with the kids prior and didn't really give them any time to prepare for such a loss. We also didn't want them to think it was there fault as, towards the end, Zor was very unpredictable and becoming aggressive towards the kids without warning so they were not allowed out with him. Even though they were getting scared of him, they still loved him very much. I try to tell them that he's at a place where he doesn't hurt anymore and he can be his old self. I wish I knew a way to make my Zeus feel better, too. He just lays on the floor most of the time. Time heals, right?

[ssutton31864]

I just wanted to say so sorry for your loss and that I know how you feel my surviving rottie had a very hard time with the death of my heart dog and first rottie Brandy who we had to pts in early December it took him about 1 1/2 months to become more like himself, notice I didn't say to return to his old self because now he is a different dog than he was before but I don't love him any less. Just try to keep things as normal as possible for him/her and love him/her and he/she will come along in his/her own time. Just like each person grieves differently so do our canine companions. Hugs to you in your time of loss and in time may only happy memories remain.

[jesse2001]

Hope this helps
Pet Columns: Explaining Pet Death to Children

[moz205]

First, I am sorry for your loss. Last year when my son was 8 and my dog was 13, we had to let Rommel go to rest. I also didn't know how to tell my son but figured tell him the truth. I explained to him that Rommel wasn't well (after he left for school) and he didn't want to eat, drink or even get up so we took him to the vet. I explained that when Rommel did this, he was telling us it was his time to leave us and that it was his choice as much as he didn't want to. I told him it was Rommel's choice and no matter how bad we felt he deserved to be out of pain and sickness. I said he was now in a better place with all our other dogs and family that passed on and was having a great old time for himself without sickness or pain. I was devastated but suprisingly, it was my 8 yo who was consoling me (after he had a good cry for himself). My son missed him terribly but would always say to me that Rommel was happy now and he knows it was the best thing we could have done for him. He said it showed Rommel how much we loved him. Children are very resiliant and I think telling my son the truth was the best thing I did for him- and me. When growing up, my father didn't want to hurt us when our dog was put to sleep so he told us that he was on a big farm with his friend and loved it. I was very upset and angry that he would give our dog away to someone. It wasn't until I got older that I realized he was actually put to sleep and it just stuck with me.

[KatMc]

I am so sorry for your loss and the sadness in your family.

kathy

[kerry grant]

Really sorry , you have lost your best mate and that is an awful feeling,time will become a great healer and Zeus your husband and your kids will probably need you as much as you need them , but you will all come through and you will remember all the good times and this will warm your hearts, thinking of you and your family xx