Mom's doing better

[dougjb]

Hi everyone,
I dropped a thread earlier about my mom's dog. The dog is very ill and putting her down is an inevitability. Mom is 91 years old and very attached to her beloved pet. Since the veterinarian is not able to do any more, I told my mom that we may have to the dog to sleep. She got upset that immediately went into denial.
Since the last thread, I have had a lot conversations with my mom and she is beginning to accept the inevitable. She is not in denial but there is some anger, doing some bargaining, a some bouts out depression, but she is moving towards full acceptance of the situation. Good news.
What is so interesting is that if we need to put her pet to sleep, she wants to be with her pet at the end. Wow! Mom and I are continually talking about this situation and I am training another dog to replace [Cindy] when the day comes. I covet your prayers because will some difficult times ahead.

dougjb
some food for thought

[Hope 98]

it's very good news that you're talking about it.

I will be praying :)

[Anna Marta]

This is a hard time for all of you, to be sure. A pet IS a family member and your mom is reacting pretty predictably. She is so blessed to have your support.

[dougjb]

hi anna marta,
I was thinking along those same lines. My mom is going through a grieving process like that of a family member. There was a book I read in the 1970's called 'Death and dying' by someone like Klubra-ross or something. They talked about a process people went though in dealing with death and dying. As mom was addressing her issues, the contents of that book started to come back to me [I do not remember all the specifics] but I think I need to re-visit more of the particulars of what this book was dealing with when addressing the issues of death and dying. Whether its a beloved pet or a actual person. There is a process, what I remember is the stage of denial, anger, depression, bargaining, and acceptance. Is there an online link that deals with this - If someone has a quick link to a site, I would appreciate it.!:D:D
The whole situation in one sense is a blessing, because it enhances my understanding of grace and mercy.

dougjb
some food for thought

[Anna Marta]

Her name is Elizabeth Kubler Ross The book was Death and Dying. Her is a URL that has a good summary explanation of sorts.
http://www.businessballs.com/elisabeth_kubler_ross_five_stages_of_grief.htm

Hugs
AM

[ex-shep]

I can relate and already took a minute to pray. We lost both Fidelio and Rose last year. Sounds as if the previous posts said everything and then some. I fear I cannot add wisdom except to I am with you and your mother in the situation. Keep posting, in any case. Virtual coffe pot is always brewing. :)

[dougjb]

Thank you,
Anna Marta, it it exactly what I was looking for and my mom is going through the process. It will take some time about she is moving in the right direction which is acceptance of the situation.

Thank you ex-shep,
It is comforting to know that there are people who understand how attached we can become to even our pets. Especially, when there is an elderly person [like my mom 91yrs old] who have become very attached to a pet.

thank you for grace and mercy

dougjb
some food for thought

[Janice]

Will Continue To Pray. I Understand Completely!!

[Reg]

Her name is Elizabeth Kubler Ross The book was Death and Dying. Her is a URL that has a good summary explanation of sorts.
http://www.businessballs.com/elisabeth_kubler_ross_five_stages_of_grief.htm

Hugs
AM
Thanks for this link AM.

We discussed this before. When I came to understand this it helped me a lot.

http://www.christianrecovery.com/vb/showthread.php?t=5678&highlight=stages+grief&page=4

dougjb,

I am a dog lover and went through similar feelings when I lost my last dog. They are like a part of our family. It helped a lot when I got another dog.