I'm an A$$hole most of the time and I wouldn't make that kind of statement.

 

Well not really guys. These animals do become a big part of your family. And Mountaineer did say ALMOST. Of course it's not like losing a loved one, but still devasting none the less.

 

You must have never lost a family member.......
A animal is a sad thing to lose but its does not even come close to a family member. sorry...

 

when you have a good pet for that long it pretty much becomes part of your family. it may not be as bad as losing a close family member but this really isnt the right place to decide whether it is or not.

sorry bout Bandit man, I know how ya feel.

 

Raoul, I am so sorry for your loss.

Not to bring the wrath of Jim down on me but I have to agree that loosing a pet can be almost as devastating as loosing a member of your family. When you've had an animal for 10-12 years they become, quite literally, a part of your extended family. When they die you go through a mourning process just like with a person. Normally the mourning isn't as extended as it would be for the loss of a human family member but it is just as hurtful and just as real while it's there. RIP Bandit.

 

Karen i would never.. I had my dog for 16 years got him at 6 weeks old. The day he died i was truly sad as was the rest of the family. Now right after that my dad and mom both got sick and died 9 months apart. Now while i was sad about losing the dog there is no way it can come even close to my parents passing. I lost a friend just a bit ago and again he was just my friend but it really does not compare at least not to me. But i can see how some people can and do get really attached to there pets. xxoo karen.

 

That's me, I get extremely attached to my pets. When we had to have a dog put to sleep several years ago, I cried every time I thought about him for a week or better. We had him for 9 years and he was very much loved. But people are different, that's what makes this place so entertaining!! So no harm, no foul. Love ya baby

 

Father died in December, Mother in 94. Yea I have lost family. And sure it's not the same, but for some it comes pretty close.

Great idea Zap.

 

Buck, maybe it depends on which family member. I have a couple of family members that would not cause a lot of pain.

 

Sorry, but you sound like an *******. I have lost several family members and let me tell you, the loss of my dog hit me a LOT worse. Granted, I've never lost a parent, but I never cried at any funerals except my dogs. Why? Because every single memory I have with my dog was a great one. She was always there happy to greet me and lick my hand, we could communicate without words, and she was literally my best friend while going through middle school and high school... I wasn't popular, had real bad acne and a growth spurt in middle school shot me up 2 feet in 2 years... I was in incredible pain (both physical and emotional) all the time and she was the only one that loved me no matter what I looked like and the more pain I was in, the more she loved me. I can honestly say she saved my life and kept me from putting a bullet in my brain when I was at my worst. She also notified us that our neighbors house was on fire in the middle of the night when we were sleeping and possibly saved our whole family. She never argued with me over anything and never judged me, she always made me feel good when I was down and out. Anyone who says a dog is just an animal has obviously never had the right one.

Raoul, sorry for your loss. I lost my dog a few years ago and the pain still stings. Just keep the Rainbow bridge in mind... www.rainbowbridge.com. ANd know that dogs do go to heaven. This will make me sound nuts but after my dog died, she visited me twice in dreams... no I'm not talking I had a dream about her... I literally talked with her in my dreams... we talked about heaven (and I'm not a religous person but I believe in a heaven, but thats a whole other story), her not being able to move on until I had found a new dog, etc. It still brings a little tear to my eye just thinking of her and she died years ago.

 

I feel for you Buddy. There is something so helpless about losing a pet. They depend on you night and day and when they die, a part of you goes too.

I tell my g/f that when Tuff dies, we'll have to dig a hole big enough for the two of us, cuz I don't want to be around without him.

Rest assured that he's happy...I've got some pups up there chasing him around right now.

 

Understand the feeling too: I am still using the name of my dog I lost two years ago. {shepard-collie mix}

I was a real SOB for a week until the wife dragged me over to the humane society and we picked out another one to take home. Sandie has been a great dog since then, but Bowser will always be "Top Dog" to me.


Woof
Bowser

 

Look....

I don't care what anyone says about it.

I consider all of our pets as family members. They don't have to be looked "down" upon as merely an animal. They have a heart, feelings, and as far as I am concerned....a soul.

Our Shih Tzu (Miaghe) has a personality somewhat similar to that of a human. Both of our cats, Ben & Jerry (named after the ice cream), also have personalities. They interact with each family member in the house in different ways.

If someone considers their pet as a family member, so be it. Just because someone doesn't have the same love for their pets as others do, why is that person wrong for loving their pets as if they ARE A FAMILY member? When Miaghe (Mo-Mo) leaves this place, no matter how you look at it, and no matter what anyone says about it, he will leave us with an empty spot in our hearts. True, you can replace a pet, but you can NEVER have the same pet again. You next pet will be a completely different attitude, personality, and reaction to each and every family member.

For example, Sadie was stolen about 3 weeks ago. I came home to play fetch with her, like we did everyday when I came home from work, and she wasn't anywhere to be found. Both gates were closed, and her food pan and water bowl was still full. It had to happen early in the morning. I was upset and VERY mad.

Now, I can go get another lab...that's the easy part, but ... BUT, will my new puppy be Sadie? Why HELL NO.

So, if you say you can always replace your pet, there is some truth to that, but your wrong.....cause that pet is now in another place and you can never have that FAMILY MEMBER back.

werd.

 

Well said Jamz. That is terrible about Sadie. I hate that.

 

Dang y'all do we have to thread drift even this topic.

Pass on the condolences, add personal stories but why debate the personal value of a pet. It is different for everyone.