Pet Bereavement Support Group

The loss of a pet or animal to which one has become emotionally bonded can be an intense loss, comparable with the death of a loved one. Whilst there is strong evidence that animals can feel such loss for other animals, this community focuses on human feelings, when an animal is lost, dies or otherwise is departed.

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Becca35 02/04/2009

I have a roommate who just lost her puppy Shorty to parvo. We did everything humanly possible to save her. She and her fiance even took Shorty to the vet and they said she had an 80% chance of surviving, which gave us all hope. Unfortunately, Shorty was not able to make it through the parvo and now my friend is devestated. I know how it feels to lose a pet that you feel is such a part of the family, but for some reason, I don't know what to say to her that will help her pain....She feels like she should have done more for her and I can't get her to understand that Parvo is just that kind of illness where most of the time, a dog won't make it.

deleted_user 02/04/2009

Sorry for your roomates loss. Im not quite sure how i would handle it eaither. I lost my beloved dog in July- and i dont think theyre was anything anybody could say to make it better. Just maybe remind her that she did all she could, and be there for her if she needs to talk. Take care!

leileismom 02/04/2009

Give her support and be there if she wants to talk. She feels guilty even though you know she did all she could. She still feels that she should have done something else or more. This is normal. She is grieving. In time she will understand that she DID do everything she could, sometimes it's just not enough. Please don't try to get another pup, if you were considering it, for at least 3mo., as parvo can survive outside the body and your environment is now contaminated. Throw away ALL of the pups toys, bed, dishes, chews, blankets and ANYTHING else she had contact with. Washing them is not enough, they are contaminated. Clean every inch or your house with bleach or disinfectant. Mop all floors and wipe all lower cabinet doors and everything else the pup rubbed against and any places she walked in or explored. Spray your vehicles with Lysol, the seats, steering wheel, floors, etc. This is a serious disease and any new pup will be exposed and possibly contract it from your house or cars. Tell her how sorry everyone here is to hear of this sad loss. She should come here to talk if she wants to. This is a very sad loss for BOTH of you. Peace
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Not goodbye.....just until
Marmy always comes back for you
Leibchen March 12,1994 - November 15,2006

deleted_user 02/21/2009

I would keep reassuring her she did all she could do. Dogs with Parvo have a 50/50 chance. When I was a vet tech, it was one of the hardest cases to work with. I would spend hours with these babies and give them all I had, and we would end up loosing them - it was so hard and we we not the parents.
Please make sure she waits to get another one since Parvo can live in the environment for a while, I would hate for her to go through that again, once time is too many.

Becca35 02/21/2009

How long should we wait?

leileismom 02/22/2009

If you read my previous post it says how long to wait, AT LEAST 3 MONTHS! , before you attempt to bring another dog into your home where this pup had parvo. Peace
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Not goodbye.....just until
Marmy always comes back for you
Leibchen March 12,1994 - November 15,2006

deleted_user 02/23/2009

I agree, just be supportive. Let her know that her puppy was lucky to have someone who loved her so much, even if it was for a short while. So many people will give up on an animal when the vet costs seem too high or they become too much work, but your friend didn't do that.

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