Five years have come and gone since I lost my four-legged best friend.
Graham, a Rottweiler and German shepherd mix, was a rescue from Baypath Humane Society of Hopkinton. He was my companion all throughout middle school and high school. Nighttime playtime, outdoor romps in the snow and tummy rubs were all part of a day well done.
Reaching the five-year anniversary of his passing has naturally brought some emotions to the surface, as if everything just happened yesterday.
These are the five stages of grief you experience when you lose a pet:
1. Grief
I remember that phone call, the one that left me in tears. My heart filled with anger at the fact I never had the chance to say goodbye.
I got home from work at 3 pm when I received a phone call from my father. Graham had passed that morning.
My mood instantly changed from happy to distraught in a matter of moments. All I could do was scream and sob into my pillow.
My throat hurt, but I didn’t care. I just wanted Graham back.Spanky, a dachshund and corgi mix who was also a rescue from Baypath, was now my only companion. I squeezed her tight. She was never a touchy-feely type of dog, but she withstood my squeezing.
2. Disbelief
The next day, I was in utter disbelief. I couldn’t believe Graham was here yesterday, but gone today.
It took me by surprise. I knew he was older and had lost a considerable amount of energy as he aged, but I did not think he was at death’s door.
Later on, I found out from my father there had been a lot going on with Graham that I did not know. He was trying to protect me, and I understand that now. I was younger, and he didn’t want to upset me.
Graham had cancer, and the options were not favorable, given his age. Chemotherapy would wear him out, and there was a good chance that he would not survive surgery.
Read more: http://elitedaily.com/life/5-stages-grief-experience-lose-pet/1564853/
