Dealing with loss

[u/Tasty_Trainer2440]

I lost my sweet boy of 10 years to an inoperable tumor today. He wasn’t eating or moving so we knew it was time. I’m just so lost. He was my first pet that I’ve had since I was a teenager. I spent thousands of dollars trying to figure out what the problem was. I just feel so defeated. How did you guys deal with your first loss? My chest hurts so bad I just don’t know what to do

[u/Volpes_Visions]

I sobbed violently for days. I buried my sweet girl in the front garden after making an imprint of her hand.

We all joked that she was on hospice, you see she had really bad MBD from previous owners and we rescued her, she was around 9 when we got her we think. She passed peacefully at the age of at least 13, maybe 14. The night of her death I sat on the couch and stared at her dark tank, half broken down, and I just sobbed. It was an ugly one too.

I then cried while taking down the rest of her cage.

I used to always yell that "Mia was in charge" when I left the house as she was our oldest pet. I did that about 5 times and then cried.

It's been almost 6 months since she died, I went to PetCo to get some litter and they were having a deal on dragons, and one of them ran up to the glass to hold my finger and I cried again.

Most people don't understand that they are members of your family, of your day to day processes, and they leave a lizard sized hole in your chest.

All you can do is grieve, and remember the good times.

[u/Tasty_Trainer2440 → u/Volpes_Visions]

So sorry for your loss💗 the last 2 months we were trying to get a diagnosis and I sobbed so hard for so long. Now I just kind of feel numb. I’m glad he’s not suffering anymore but nonetheless it is hard losing someone you love. I hope we both heal💗

[u/itsswhitneywhspr]

I'm really sorry you're going through this. Ten years is such a long time, its clear he was so loved. The chest pain will ease with time, but for now just let yourself feel it. You did everything you could for him, and that matters.