Pet Loss: When A Pet's Routine Surgery Goes Bad

[Reviewed and updated December 11, 2021]

If a cat spoke, it would say things like 'Hey, I don’t see the problem here.'  ~ Roy Blount Jr.

A reader writes: Three months ago, my dear cat passed away from cancer. I became very familiar with your online Loss of A Pet forum. It helped immensely. Now, I need advice.

I adopted two kittens shortly after my cat's death. They are now 20 weeks old -- got them at 9 weeks. Well, I took both of them in to get spayed and neutered. The neutering went fine, but one of my dear kittens is now blind.

Coping with Pet Loss, August 26, 2018 - September 1, 2018

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

A Place in My Heart, When a Pet Dies, http://bit.ly/2wr0DJQ « BK Books

All Dogs Go To Heaven...Especially This One. Remembering Rudy The Wonder Dog, http://j.mp/2oj1jMY « Kelly Buckley

How to Talk to Your Veterinarian About End of Life Issues, http://j.mp/2wtNT5p « DogHealth.com

Your feedback is welcome! Please feel free to leave a comment or a question, or share a tip, a related article or a resource of your own in the Comments section below. If you’d like Grief Healing Blog updates delivered right to your inbox, you’re cordially invited to subscribe to our weekly Grief Healing Newsletter. Sign up here.

Pet Loss: Involving Children in the Euthanasia Decision

[Reviewed and updated December 8, 2022]

As an adult or child, experiencing grief means to 'feel,' not just to 'understand.' Anyone old enough to love is old enough to grieve. Even before children are able to talk, they grieve when someone loved dies. And these feelings about the death become a part of their lives forever. ~ Alan D. Wolfelt

A reader writes: Last month our family dog was diagnosed with terminal bone cancer. Soon after, my husband and I spoke with our now 7-year-old son and 3-year-old daughter about our dog's cancer. We shared that she would not get better from it and that she would go to heaven. Our dog is in increasing, uncontrollable pain now, and I expect we will euthanize her soon. I read an excerpt of yours regarding preparing children for pet loss. You recommend involving the children in the decision of euthanasia and being present when it occurs. Do you recommend this for children that are our kids' ages?

Coping with Pet Loss, April 1 - April 7, 2018

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

In Home Euthanasia: A Better End of Life Experience, http://j.mp/2Hfsota The Conscious Cat

How a Pet Hospice Vet Can Help Your Senior Dog, http://bit.ly/2otGHR9 « Dogster

Pet Loss: Helping A Friend with Unresolved Grief, http://j.mp/2uHIx8c « Grief Healing

Your feedback is welcome! Please feel free to leave a comment or a question, or share a tip, a related article or a resource of your own in the Comments section below. If you’d like Grief Healing Blog updates delivered right to your inbox, you’re cordially invited to subscribe to our weekly Grief Healing Newsletter. Sign up here.

Coping with Pet Loss, November 20 - November 26, 2016

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Do Dogs Grieve Over the Loss of an Animal Companion? http://bit.ly/2f124s3 « Psychology Today

Veterinarian provides in-home hospice care for pets, http://bit.ly/2garUaC « Las Vegas Review-Journal

Guidelines for Veterinary Hospice Care, http://bit.ly/2fgHi6f « AVMA

Your feedback is welcome! Please feel free to leave a comment or a question, or share a tip, a related article or a resource of your own in the Comments section below.

If you’d like Grief Healing Blog updates delivered right to your inbox, you’re cordially invited to subscribe to our weekly Grief Healing Newsletter. Sign up here.

Coping with Pet Loss, October 18 - October 24, 2015

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Veterinarian starts pet hospice business, http://j.mp/1jEsq10 « Contra Costa Times

An old dog teaches you more than you’d like to know about mortality http://j.mp/1PD3Aug « The Washington Post

Pet Loss: How Long Before Adopting Another? http://j.mp/1jQvoPv « Grief Healing

Your feedback is welcome! Please feel free to leave a comment or a question, or share a tip, a related article or a resource of your own in the Comments section below.
If you’d like Grief Healing Blog updates delivered right to your inbox, you’re cordially invited to subscribe to our weekly Grief Healing Newsletter. Sign up here.

Coping with Pet Loss, July 5 - July 11, 2015

Best selection from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Ivan Died Last Night - Petloss from a Vet's Perspective, http://j.mp/1LUNxpY « Dr. Andy Roark

Your feedback is welcome! Please feel free to leave a comment or a question, or share a tip, a related article or a resource of your own in the Comments section below.
If you’d like Grief Healing Blog updates delivered right to your inbox, you’re cordially invited to subscribe to our weekly Grief Healing Newsletter. Sign up here.

Coping with Pet Loss, April 12 - April 18, 2015

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Farewell, My Love, http://j.mp/1FRi4Ra « oh melvin (and yo jake)

Saying Goodbye To A Pet At Home, http://j.mp/1HoK4xx « Raising Arizona Kids

Your feedback is welcome! Please feel free to leave a comment or a question, or share a tip, a related article or a resource of your own in the Comments section below.
If you’d like Grief Healing Blog updates delivered right to your inbox, you’re cordially invited to subscribe to our weekly Grief Healing Newsletter. Sign up here.

Pet Loss: Cat With FIV Euthanized Too Soon ~ Guilt Follows

Photo © Tony Northrup 2014

[Reviewed and updated December 2, 2025]

Only good people feel guilty.  ~ Rule 56, The Rules of Life by Richard Templar

A reader writes: For the last several months, I have been feeding a stray cat who started living in my yard. Since I already have two cats, I decided I’d try to find him a home, but if I couldn’t, I would take him as well. I bought an insulated kitty house and pet bed, and put out food for him in the yard every night. For the last few weeks, after work I would go straight to the yard and pet and play with him. He was very sweet and I got very attached to him. My friend said he would try to take him in, and we agreed that if it didn’t work out (he has one other cat) I would take him myself. As I drove the cat over to my friend’s house last night, he was crying and scared, but I kept reassuring him, "Don't be afraid buddy, I'm taking you to your wonderful, loving, warm new forever home." My friend called me this morning, crying hysterically and saying he’d just had the cat put to sleep.

Coping with Pet Loss, August 10 - August 16, 2014

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Our Pet Loss Support Group helps you learn to grieve in a healthy way with those going through the same process, pic.twitter.com/TLWw64mzdz « Hospice of Santa Barbara

Veterinarian specializes in expanding field of end-of-life care for pets, http://j.mp/1oGx8W5 « Kentucky.com

This Friday is Check the Chip Day,  http://j.mp/1sugG2R « Spot Speaks

Pet Loss: Guilt in the Wake of the Euthanasia Decision

Source

[Reviewed and updated September 7, 2025]

Once a forever person and a forever cat find each other, nothing can ever separate them.  ~ Christine Davis

A reader writes: I’m asking for help. I don’t know what to do. I’m completely distraught. My dearest cat Shadow got sick and I had to put her down early last Wednesday morning. She was sneezing when she came to us as a kitten seven years ago, and she always had a problem with her sinuses. She was the smallest of all my cats, but still, she grew into a beautiful girl, playful, friendly and smart. She was totally loving to everybody, very psychically aware and sensitive, a real healer.

Coping with Pet Loss, July 21 - July 27, 2013

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Historic San Francisco Catholic church plans memorial space for pets, http://j.mp/178abmE « The Sacramento Bee

So touching! Savannah, Almost Hospice Care, http://j.mp/17KNPd5 « Diary of a Real-Life Veterinarian

Coping with Pet Loss, January 26 - February 2, 2013

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Replacing a Pet Who Has Died: When Is It Time? http://j.mp/WvSGrA « Grief Healing Blog

When you are still suffering years after the death of your pet, http://buff.ly/Wq0oGJ by @MarianneSoucy

Veterinarian explores what we can learn about end-of-life choices for animals, http://j.mp/WaUmdQ

Pet Euthanasia Gone Bad

Source

[Reviewed and updated January 13, 2026]

A reader writes: We put down our 14-year-old huskie at the vet today. She had bad arthitis in her hips and knees and a skin infection we couldn't clear up, but the big thing was she had anal gland cancer. They showed it to us a month ago, and said it was aggressive. We kept her home on meds for pain and infection, and watched it. She still had a great appetite and drank up until yesterday. It just seemed like it was harder and harder for her to get up and down and walk, and that thing on her bottom had to hurt. Anyway, we took her and I don't think I'll be able to get over it if I live to 100.