💜 The hardest decision I've ever made was to have my dog put out out of his misery. It was horrible, they can't tell you how they feel. You kind of know when it's time. It's worse than losing a human relative. Non pet owners never get it.

I find comfort in being an old man, and knowing we'll be together again soon. I tell them to wait at the bridge until we,'re all together again, and we'll cross together. I bury them on my property,, and talk to them as I dig the grave. My ashes will be buried beside them. The cemetery is beside a pond, on the edge of a forest. A few years ago, after the death of one of my guys, I told God that if my pets couldn't go with me, I wanted to go with them even into nothingness. I asked if we'll be together. I became aware that the sun was very bright. I looked up into what had been an overcast sky, and saw that the light was shining through a large, perfectly round hole in the clouds, I'm an old man and a retired Park Ranger, so I had spent much of my life outdoors. In all those years I had never seen anything like what I saw that day. I believe God had answered my question. We'll be together for eternity.

My dog was my best friend, we had to put her down yesterday as her heart was failing her. I’ve never felt a sadness like this before, and I never anticipated that it would feel like this. My heart goes out to everyone who is dealing with this grief right now 💛 I’m just desperately hoping it gets better, I see her everywhere I look 😔

As brutal as this may sound ..many animals are far more deserving of our love and compassion than some people.... including, sadly the occasional family member. A devoted , loyal pet provides us with a source of peace and tranquility that is difficult to explain to those who have never had a pet. When the end comes... whatever the circumstances.. it is the good memories that help get us through the grief...but that grief... that emptiness will always be with us. That is the price we pay for loving... for being human. And yes.... it is worth it. Best.

When my dog died of stomach tumors l was there when he took his last breath, my world fell apart he was my best friend loyal faithful and always there for me. The vets were wonderful the nurses also shed a tear with me and sent me a lovlely card on the loss of my dog. I couldn't get up what was the point without him my life was falling apart as we did every thing together, about 4 months later my ex wife wife said why didnt l get a rescue dog from Cyprus which l did. Now 4 years later ive now got a big family of pets 9 cats 1 dog chickens & ducks, l've taken in the cats which nobody wanted now there loved and wanted and most of all a home. I have'nt forgot about juke my dog or my other cats that have passed they all get a proper cremation and a casket, placed in my cabinate with the condolence cards from the vets and crematorium ready to be placed with me on my demise. Yes it does knock you for 6 when your pet dies but there is always a postive, my pets are my family

I had to put my dog to sleep yesterday. It was all really sudden, she was 15 years old but we were never expecting her to leave like this, she was reasonably healthy for a dog her age. I'm 19, we've had her since I was 3 years old so I barely remember life without her. I loved her all her life and I will miss her all mine. Currently writing this after crying my heart out, I wasn't able to sleep tonight knowing I won't wake up to see her. It's so hard and it feels impossible that it'll get better, I don't want to get used to a life without her. Thank you for this video though, I really needed to feel understood. It'll all be blue for a while and having someone who's experienced this pain too give this friendly yet honest talk was really helpful. Ps: I so much agree with having something to carry them with you, I'm probably going for a tattoo once I'm strong enough not to cry everytime I think about it. Also portraits ofc.

My beloved dog Camila passed away ( I had to put her to sleep) 2 months ago. I cry every single day. She was my companion, best friend, daughter and it is so hard to live without her. I have her ashes with me at home and put her on a table with her picture. Thank you for this video. Only people who have loved a pet this much can understand the huge pain it is to let them go.

Such profound grief I have felt since putting my dog down 3 days ago. She was my constant companion and gave me unconditional love which is something any human cannot give.

If people were as loyal as a good pet,what a better world we have.

Grief is for pets too.

I have recently had to put my beloved dog to sleep ( she had cancer). The grief I feel, the random sobbing, the sense of loss, the loss of appetite, the actual physical pain I feel is no different from how I felt when my much loved step father died. Love is love. Thank you for this video and sending love to anyone who is going through this too.

I'm really glad to hear such a meaningful conversation on this subject. Like many others here, i had to put my cat down a month ago. She was 21. I am 42, so i had her half my life. I had initially adopted her as a rescue. I didnt have a boyfriend, a child, or many friends at that point in my life. My family lived 3,000 miles away. I needed her just as much as she needed me. She was laying in a clean litter box when i spotted her. The woman who worked for Best Friends organization told me that she was found inside a dumpster! Who would throw life away?! When i picked her up, she settled her tiny little 8 week old body on my collar bone and began to purr. Putting her down last month was so difficult. She remained loving through so many ups and downs of life. When rest of the world walked away, she purred in my face. She will forever be in my heart. God is good and blesses us with the honor of keeping care of his creatures!

My pet turtle just died, and I cried so much... I know a lott of people would make fun of me, but that turtle was more important to me then many people that I know.

I think a grief for a pet is the same as a loss of a loved one if not greater reason being they are constantly at our side and the bond is so much greater. But those are my thoughts x

My wife and I had the pleasure of having a beautiful little dog for 14 years. She got sick with heart problems. One morning she looked at both of us like she was saying goodbye. And that was it. She died in our arms. We had a very good vet who knew a pet cremation service. He said he was very trustworthy. After talking to him, we knew we could trust him. We have her ashes today sitting by our bed. We talk to her all the time. We never got another dog. We felt we would never get one to take her place. That was a heartfelt video. Love you.

I just lost my Bonnie this Sunday evening. It is one of the worst things I’ve gone through in life and I’ve been through a difficult divorce. Animals are in some ways better than humans. They love with no strings attached, no conditions, nothing. They won’t flake on you or be moody. They won’t disappoint you or change their way of being because they’re trying to fit in. Animals in particular dogs are just amazing creatures. I miss my Bonnie so much. This video is very helpful- thank you.

This is very well timed for me. My much loved cat, my friend, has a tumour and only has a very, very short time left. I have struggled already trying to make plans but making the most of our time together. I really felt your loss of Odie, and it is comforting to hear you speak of him now. Thank you Marina.

When I lost my dog, the first day I felt horrible and my stomach was feeling bad, I couldn't stop crying etc. I cried for almost 2 years after, everytime I thought about him. Now it's been 2,5 years and I can think about him eventually without crying and feeling sad. I think it's the normal process of grief. It's the same with pets, just like it is with people.

If someone cannot respect the grief we feel for our non human family they do not deserve our respect. I have been so lucky in sharing my life with three dogs and a bunny I have lost. I remember them all every day, they are part of me. I won't have children as, for my own reasons, I don't want them so they were my children. I was with them all as they went over the rainbow bridge telling them I loved them so they weren't afraid. They all did more for me than I could ever do for them 💕❤️💕

I had to have my beloved cat Ms. Beatrice put to sleep one week ago. She was in kidney failure. She was 13 yrs old and she came to us a stray in the middle of winter when she was only on yr old. She was pregnant at the time. We kept all of her kittens and it has been a joy. We miss Ms Beatrice so very much.

Thank you for making this video. I had to make that decision 2 weeks ago for my sweet baby dog of almost 13 years. He was funny, loving, loyal and a complete joy to love, more so than most people. While I am so thankful for every minute with him, my heart is so broken. My chest literally hurt so bad that day for a solid 8 hours and I almost hoped I could join him. Everything in our home reminds me of him and I pray this doesn’t last too much longer. He had the very best, but I can’t help but think if there was anything else we could have done. His little body was tired and wracked with pain in the last days. That morning I called a vet to come to our home that afternoon, so he and I went for a pup cup, a kolache and a final trip to the park where he watched the ducks, rather than run towards them this time. We held him and face timed with our grown child as he slipped out of his pain and went to Heaven. I took his little body to The crematory to oversee and get that closure, and keep his urn beside my bed. May God bless all of our sweet fur babies🙏🏻 ‘Til we meet again. 🐾♥️🐾

Pets can definitely be closer to you than your family. I have had several dogs but there were 2 that seemed so similar to each other in personality. Those were the ones that really hurt me to lose the most. I cried over the first for years. But the last , I am still crying so much over her and I felt like it was losing 2 dogs. Thank you for the words, even though I am crying hard right now. You said so much I know but I needed to hear from someone else. My heart goes out to all who loses a pet they loved. Let us live in the hope we WILL see them again!

You are the nicest person on the internet. I recall the viedo of you and Odie collecting sea glass....I ordered one of your seaglass necklace you handmade. I lost it body surfing in the ocean. So it went back to the sea. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks for this video and all the thoughtful comments..

I had to put my beautiful black lab, Becca, to sleep 2 days ago. She had inoperable cancer. The very saddest thing is it was colorectal cancer, and right up until the day she passed, she still wanted to eat (less lightly) and drink normally. She went for a walk that day even though the mass caused her to completely lose her back left leg mobility and had a harness on for me to help her walk for almost 2 years. She was 8 1/2 years old. The mass grew so big inside that she could no longer go to the bathroom and for the last 2 weeks I had her catheterized and added mirilax so she could go potty through the small opening left in her intestine. I couldn't see anything at all on the outside of her body. The last catheter, the vet told me there was blood, and she thought she was going through the mass, and if I waited, her body would tear inside. So I had no choice. I think my guilt is because it was so tough watching her NOT show any normal signs of illness other than the potty situation. But that was very tough watching her try. My videos of her last days are of her barking at squirrels, watching Animal Planet and barking at bears, eating a huge chicken chewie, drinking a large bowl of ice water, and playing with my other dog. It is devastating to me because she showed clear signs of wanting to live, but her body just couldn't go on. i'm crying nonstop, but I'm glad I had enough time to talk to her about how we all pass away, but we are souls before our bodies and we are still still souls afterwards, except afterwards its all perfect with total love and how exciting it will be. I told her not to worry at all because it will be great, and all the people and animals we knew that are no longer with us here on earth are going to be with us again but in a much better place, and it'll feel like total wonderment and complete love, with excitement. I am grateful to explain to her that my sadness and extreme tears were because I love her so dearly that I'll miss her here on earth, but I'll be extra excited to see her again in our spiritual soul life when it's my time. And that it'll be forever then! Thank you for this video, so very much. I'm still crushed, and still feel guilt, but I know we are the animals guardians, and that includes deciding some very difficult questions. Whatever decision we make for them, if it is done with love, we did the best we could. We need to learn to forgive ourselves if the decision we make is done with love for them in our hearts.

That's beautiful Marina. I agree with all you say. I have been rescuing animals for 20 years and have had to go through this situation many times. As you say, you never get over it or stop missing them, but you can return to happiness again. Animals give us unconditional love, so of course their passing can be as painful, often even more so, than the passing of a human. Also what you say about the more you love the more there can be pain. I think that is beautifully expressed in this quote which I often share with people who have lost a pet. Odie and your other dog are always with you in spirit. "There is a cycle of love and death that shapes the lives of those who choose to travel in the company of animals. It is a cycle unlike any other. To those who have never lived through its turnings or walked its rocky path, our willingness to give our hearts with full knowledge that they will be broken seems incomprehensible. Only we know how small a price we pay for what we receive; our grief, no matter how powerful it may be, is an insufficient measure of the joy we have been given." from 'Bones Would Rain From the Sky' by Suzanne Clothier

doesnt matter if its an animal,they r stil a member of the family,which shud b well loved n respected n yes u defo shud b allowed to grievexxx

I put my dog to sleep yesterday, it has been the hardest thing I've ever made, we've been together around 16 years and I'm really experimenting this feeling of guiltiness. Thank you very much for yor video, it was very helpful. ❤️

You're grieving for your loved one, Marina. Whether a human or a pet, it's real and painful. This quote by Winnie the Pooh helped me a lot in dealing with my grief; "How lucky I am to have something that makes saying good bye so hard." (A.A. Milne) I hope it helps you, too. Blessings! ♡ Bettina from Connecticut

This resonated heavily with me having said goodbye to my pal of nearly 11 years just 2.5 weeks ago... I completely agree the volume of love mirrors the sense of pain & loss - I read recently “when you take on a dog (pet) you take on their death” and I guess this is true - thank you I really appreciated this video right now ❤️

Totally agree with documenting their last weeks/days. comparing these to pictures of my dog even a year before made me realise how old and ill he had become. It definitely helps with confirming I made the right decision.

Thanks for this, I’ve had to go through this too many times in my long life. I have been honoured to share my time with many dogs, cats and horses, saying goodbye is never easy but it is the last great thing we can do for our friends. 2 weeks ago I had to let my lovely little cat Foxy go, she was very sick and because Covid 19 I was unable to hold her at the end which I have always done in the past, which made it even harder. Only cowards let there animals die in misery to save there own feelings.

Oh, Marina. Did I break down into tears halfway through? Yup. But it was also heartwarming to hear someone describe how it feels. So thank you a million for this video. My pet rabbit, Fitz, died in November 2018 and I still cry whenever I think of her. I ended up leaving the flat we shared as it was unbearable to come home and not see her lionhead face. The guilt is still very strong, although my friends assured me upon her passing away that I had saved her life. But whatever we have done/did always feels too little. Fitz spent two years and a half in awful conditions and when I was told about her, I said I would adopt her right away. I'm a rabbit person, you see. It took time and work to gain her trust, but then she would follow me around and sleep at my feet like a dog. We'd spend Sunday mornings cuddling on my bed. She loved cuddles. She was diagnosed with a major tumour in April 2018 and while chemo helped, her health eventually deteriorated. As soon as I noticed she had lost her appetite, I brought her to the vet and she died there peacefully. The guilt mostly comes from the fact that I only gave her two years and a half of a better (?) life as a cage- free, organic-veggie-eating bunny. I wish she had had more happy time than bad. After she passed, I had my mind set on not adopting another pet for a while so as to give my heart time to mend. Ironically, two weeks after I moved into my new flat a stray cat showed up and literally moved in. He had been abandoned and a neighbour later told me he had had a rough time outside. I'm not spiritual in any way, but I did wonder whether it wasn't my Fitz sending someone else to help.

My dog has been by my side since I was 17, now he's 11 years old, and I can say that I'm trying to enjoy as much as I can now that he's with me, because I know that the day he won't be with me I will be super sad... so I totally understand you and agree with all you said in this video! ♥️

I said goodbye to my best girl just two months ago. This is all excellent advice. Miss seeing Odie in your videos, but he’s a rest now. All the good dogs are sleeping easy now, no more pain.

Your videos of Odie were very special and I miss them. We shared in your grief when he passed away. When you scattered his ashes on that hill that was an incredible moment, about you, about Odie, about all of us, and about life.

I took video of my dog just hours before she had to go,when I look back I see how she had had enough,it hard.love never fades

Grief is for all of which you love. Be encouraged. Safe travels. Namaste.

Saying goodbye to an animal that you love is the hardest part of pet ownership. Especially when you have had them from young, and have enjoyed watching them grow up from cute little fur balls, to adulthood. I have enjoyed 13 years with my dog. She has been an amazing part of my family. Her health has been deteriorating for a few months, and we had to schedule an appointment to say goodbye this coming Monday. She is not the only dog I have owned, but she has been with us all her life. It never gets easier. No matter how many times you go through it. Remember the good times, and be grateful for the time you had. All good things come to an end, but the love you share with a pet stays with you forever.

😢 I've been thru this a few times, sometimes natural sometimes euthanasia. It's terrible either way. I always still think about and miss my doggos. Idt the guilt ever goes away but you have to remember it was for the best. Ppl should give their pets the best life possible. Be nice to them, spend time with them, let them be your pal. Take good care of them physically and mentally so they have a happy life. Knowing and remembering they had a fun, loving, happy life will definitely help later when they are gone. ❤

Hi Marina! I just recently found your channel and I am glad I did. I live in the states and worked as a Veterinarian technician for 15 years. The crematoriums that I have worked with respected their responsibilities to the families they served. The group cremations were placed in a memorial garden on their property and the private cremations were done separately and then returned to the families. There may be places around the world that do not respect the work which is unfortunate. So sorry for your loss. Grief is a roller coaster of emotions. It is love with nowhere to go. It never ends but it does get easier.

Hey. Thank you so much for this video. Yesterday we’ve euthanised our cat, my companion of almost 14 years, as his lymphoma took over him. I too feel the guilt. I know that I did what was best, but I feel it. So I’m grateful for the video you’ve made. I’ll keep remembering Tiko, he was such a special soul... I will be burying him today, near his favourite spot in our garden. Stay strong.

Your dog is the soul of your life I left the UK in 2004 with my west highland white to move to Bulgaria he was 1 year old then I had him 15more years 24/7 he was with me where ever I went we toured around many countries in Europe I lost him nearly 2 years ago and still grief for him now those 15 years were the best of my life many ups and downs but when he parted there was no more fun for me even though my wife got another dog he will not replace my dudley.

Thank you for this video. Over the years I have lost several pets , dogs, 1 cat, a few horses and a Donkey. I lost my beloved Chihuahua last week. Let me tell you it never gets easier. Each and everyone I loved so much and yes the pain is proportional to the love. It's our duty to end their suffering when there is no hope of recovery or quality of life. Never regret your decision to euthanize , it's the right thing to do. 😪💔🐶🐈‍⬛🐎

My dog has kidney disease and the vet told me he doesn't have very long. We're doing everything we can still but she told me to prepare to make this decision. I'm devastated and exhausted. I adopted him only four years ago but he's my best friend in the world. Thank you for your tips.

Thank you so much for sharing your story. My 20 year old dog Piccolo is asleep in my lap right now...we are letting him go tomorrow at 11am. My heart is breaking but he’s so ready. I’m so sorry you lost your dogs. Thank you for sharing. ❤️💔🐶🌈💖

Dogs are living angels ❤️❤️❤️ Euthanasia is kindest and selfless act for sick and suffering pet that has no voice to express... Miss oldie already

I took my dog to the crematory myself and stood by during the process. I feel much better knowing I received my dog back..

“The amount of pain we have = the amount of love we had for our pet” You’re so right! I just lost my cat/sister/best friend of 18 years 2 weeks ago and the pain is still very present. I feel guilty, not for euthanizing her, but for not loving her enough and not being there when she needed my help. I’ll forever remember the last night I spent with her on the floor, I slept 3h that night afraid of losing her if I closed my eyes. When the vet told me all the possible outcomes the next morning, I knew my cat wouldn’t want to suffer more and I made the decision. I have NOT thought about myself at all, I was focused on my cat, taking decisions she would take herself if she could talk. It felt like our souls have connected during the last few hours of her life. On her last night at home, I slept next to her and told her the story of her life: from the day I got her as a kitten when I was a teen to now. Then I somehow understood that she wanted to visit the house one last time so I carried her in my arm, showed her all the rooms and her favorite places. I have NO regret/guilt for the last week I’ve spent with her. My guilt is that I didn’t play with her enough, didn’t love her enough and I wasn’t there when she got sick. Almost her whole life I was busy with studies, performing well in everything I do, getting good grades and finally becoming a doctor. Then I was busy with work. I should have spent more time playing with her and loving her. Even tho I’ve spent a lot of my free time with her, it just doesn’t feel enough to me now. Then when she got sick, I was away for work and left her at my parents’. My parents didn’t tell me anything until I got back, they lied to me on the phone cuz they didn’t want me to worry. BECAUSE I WAS AWAY, I DELAYED THE MEDICAL ATTENTION SHE NEEDED! If I had brought her to the vet on day 1, she would still be here. She was happy and healthy when I left her 😢 That guilt is definitely eating me alive now. I know I treated her well and loved her more than anything, but I could have done better. I know it’s too late and the guilt will only destroy me, but it just keeps coming back 😢😢 I’m so sorry Mickie, I miss you and I love you. RIP ❤️

I have lost 9 dogs and a cat over my lifetime. (6 of the dogs were all owned at one time over 16 years) One thing i will say is you will know in your own mind when the time is right and for what needs to be done. My thoughts have always been that I do not want my dogs (cat) suffering for the sake of it. I have been with all of mine when the time has come and it never gets any easier to do. Only thing i will say is its quite a peaceful way for the pet to go. I have had them cremated and always had the ashes back and spread them in a special area. Never ask me to choose between my dog or a person :o)

I appreciate this video. I had to put my sweetheart down yesterday and I feel guilt

Thank you for this video♡ I cried remembering my dog that I had to let go of 2 months ago after 14 years together. From time to time tears may come when we think of them but it's okay to grief because we know we loved deeply and will always still love. Take care.

I had to put one of my cats down last week and am experiencing the guilt from it. It was one of the hardest things I ever had to do and am struggling with whether or not I made the right choice. This can really mess up your head and weigh heavy on you as it is to myself. Be easy on yourselves, everyone, and thank you for posting this video. I know it's hard.

I feel for you my dog passed away 2 years ago and I am still grieving him I will miss him forever he was my best friend and he was always there for me

Good video Marina. I know you cried at the end. Just remember the good times. Odie had a great life with you. I held my last dog while she was euthanased. Then i took her home and buried her in the garden under a hedge. I know where she is for ever. I just knew she had had enough when she looked at me one morning. I will never forget that look. I knew I had to do it, so I have no regrets. I did the best for her. I like to think she would have done the same for me. Love is painful.

I love chatty Marina, you are so wise ! You had an amazing time with Odie and he wasn’t your pet he was your best friend. You did great for each other. I say hi to him when I go to the Lakes. He’s in an amazing spot. Stay safe.

The loss of any loved one is so hard. I losed my boy Monty 5 years ago and there is not a day passes that I do not miss him. We did such great things and climbed together some great big hills in Scotland. Our finest day was reaching the summit of Ben Lawers at 05.30 in mid summer, my boy was beside me every step of the way. Stay strong everyone x

This is a well timed video for my family and I. Our dog has recently been diagnosed with dementia and we're facing the fact that we will most likely have to say goodbye sooner rather than later. Thank you for your advice.

I live in the Lake District and I have visited the Peak where you put your dog's ashes. I sat for a while in respect. It's a beautiful place. Nature never wastes anything and love never dies. Enjoy your new home, it's such a special place. Peter

Dear Marina. Can I just say that I agree with all that you have said in this video, I had a dog for the first 14 years of my life, ( I'm now 72 .5 year old ) we did everything, and I mean Everything together, I even had to endure punishment from my parents for stealing chocolate from the Xmas tree when in fact it was my dog stealing it all the time, but there was Never had a cross word between him and me, I know that in a short space of time I will be with him again enjoying our time playing and walking in the fields like we used to so many years ago, but I do and always will have good and fond memories of him to this day, good Memories never die, he was the One and Only friend I ever had in this life of mine, to everyone else, you will have memories come flooding back now and then, embrace them they Are there in your mind, just look for them......take care...

Really good video. Grief affects so many people. We followed you and Odie from your Scottish diaries all the way to his end. We cried for you loss even though we never met you or Odie. Strangely, today is 33 years since our son died in 1987. But you know, so much of what you said about love and grief applies universally to people and animals we have loved. I’d go further, we can grieve seasons of our own lives, relationships, so many things. The grief is all the love we still have, but the person / pet / relationship/ etc is no longer there to receive it. Thanks for doing this video. I know it will have been hard to do. Also it was good to hear where you are in the grief process after losing Odie. Guilt is difficult to shake off but clearly you did your very best for Odie right to the end. God bless you.

I Wacth the video is horrible pain grief, but Watching someone like you and listening to it helps some relief. I’ve been with pain for loosing my dog I still miss her everyday. ❤

Thanks so much Marina for sharing from your heart about your Odie. It is a form of unconditional love we receive from our pets. I lost my Eli over 50 years ago and feel the loss to this day and still have his collar. Beaujangles. 🐾❤️✌️

When I realised I had to put my cat down (due to cancer), my initial response was not to be present at the end. I guess I was trying to dodge the pain of it. But in the end, I felt I was duty bound to be next to her at the end. It was the most traumatic thing I have ever experienced. To this day, I don't know if it was a good move, because the vision of those last moments are seared into my brain. I also elected not to keep her ashes, as another strategy to move past it as quickly as possible. Well after she passed in late 2017, I broke down multiple times a day and bawled like a baby. Every day for some 9 months. Even now, in late 2021, I still cry all the time when I think of her. I've never experienced anything so traumatic before. The euthanasia just makes it that much worse. But on a positive note, I must admit the intensity of the grief is definitely lightening up. The process took such a long time though, and I suspect it will actually never end.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on a hard subject. I think as a single person, loss of companion pet is grief in a whole different realm as we may not have people close to us who can understand or in some way share our grief. Watching you & Odie in your lives together & traveling brought me joy. Thank you for being you! 🐾

It's very evident you loved Oddie so its hard when he leaves. He was a gorgeous boy.

Thank you for talking about this. I think it's something that needs to be discussed more. When I have lost pets it was like losing my children and sometimes I feel like people think you should just get over it. But it doesn't work that way.

My dog died two days ago, after living 13 years with me, just being my dog and me together for so many years, that now I can watch again this video and understand you completely. I'm so sad and I feel really guilty and my mind tricks me exactly as you said in this video... I have loved my dog more than anything and because of it, the loss is very painful. Thanks for making this video, it helps to see there are people going through it too (not in a mean way). Xx

So terribly sad and I posted so much for him in earlier comments without realizing this,but maybe my comments will help others in the future,certainly he was blessed with being able to see the world...

I lost my beautiful boy last month. Like your dog, he had a massive seizure, completely out of the blue. He was thirteen, and from the start of the seizure to when he was put to sleep was only an hour and a half. All those years of fun and love, how could they all be over in just an hour and a half? There is no pain greater than losing a pet, they are with you and closer to you than a lot of people. This hurts so much. And everything you said in your video resonates so much as well - the guilt that I took his life..oh my god, what have I done? I didn't get chance to video him when he was ill, it all happened so quickly. I think it would have helped me if I could look back and see just how poorly he was. Thank you for an absolutely spot on video. Everything you said is what happens..You just have to go through the grief and cry until you have no tears left. Sending love to anyone else who is going through this suffering. All we can do is keep the little phrase in our heads - 'This too shall pass'. And then we get to keep the wonderful memories x❤️💔

Thank you so much for your video, it helped me so much now that My best friend passed just two hours ago, thank you so much, your words helped me overcome how devastated I feel, thank all here that have commented, your kind words help us all that just lost our pets recently, I am glad I looked for help and found your video with comments from so many great people, that have gone thru the same thing I am now and all they want to do is help, I hope to do the same once I pass this difficult time. Thank you

@She Goes Wild Dear Marina and Dear Everyone Who Shared Their Experiences and Loving Stories or Advice/Support in the Comment Section: Thank you so much for this video and for you sharing your sad experience of losing precious Odie. This video is helpful and it also brought about what was just as helpful, if not more helpful to me, a plethora of people grieving the loss of their beloved animals and sharing their experiences, some offering help, some not, but the mere act of sharing their experiences is probably the most helpful, comforting, supportive thing. You and Odie brought together a whole community of people who are hurting but still loving and trying to get through this terrible time of being without our precious, beloved animals. So thank you, so very much wonderful Marina, wonderful Odie, and all the wonderful people who shared in the comments section. Thank you so much. 💙🙏🏽 Thank you for sharing all of your traveling times with precious Odie, as well. He was the reason why I was drawn to your channel. I stumbled upon your basket weaving video and that’s how I found out about your previous life of van living and traveling with Odie, and later fostering other dogs. It’s for these dog reasons why I explored your channel and subscribed and want you to know you have an online community (myself included) who just thinks the best of you and want to support and help you because you help the most vulnerable in this world, which are animals. Your experiences and video on pet grief are necessary and so helpful to all those experiencing the same loss because there’s not as much out there for us grieving animals. Thank you for your video and the comments caused by your video because they are all so helpful during my forever changed life filled with painful and complicated grief from losing my best friend and daughter all in one. She is my soulmate and one of, if not the only, love of my life and purest love of my life. I’ll always love you so much and miss you so much, Ci. Always.🐕💗💖💔💙 I am saving this video and all it’s comments so I can always read them and watch the video when I need it.

Thank you so much for this. I wish I watched this before I had to put my kitty to sleep but I’m dealing with a lot of guilt even though I know it’s irrational.

Hello Marina. I kept your video in the "watch later" list... I was planning to watch it only the day i will lose my beloved big dog "Ighor". And this day was today... after almost 13 years together, I had to make the toughest decision, and decide that he didn't have to suffer any longer. He could barely walk for some weeks, and today he couldn't stand at all anymore... i waited for a couple of hours and called the vet. It all went fast. Watching your video tonight helped a lot, I couldn't thank you enough Marina... Odi was lucky to have you.

Sunshine will cast a shadow, that's just the way it is. You were lucky to have the sunshine.

Thank you, it’s incredible how hearing someone else’s experience can bring so much comfort.

Thank you for this vlog, my best friend Poppy passed away a few weeks ago and I am struggling with the grief.

Our family just lost the sweetest dog after 14 years of love with him. Especially during covid I needed you compassionate words. Thank you. It has been hard to breath these past few days. I'm glad to have found your video. Thank you.

Our pets r our family! 💞

Lovely words Marina xx I've always had dogs as pets with my family and then I adopted a cat that had been left behind and for a long time there was just me and him. I loved that boy with all of my heart. I gutted fish for him and didn't settle until he was bk in the house. I'd nvr had a cat before and he was an outdoor cat so I didn't want to take his freedom away. He grounded me like no person ever could. He loved me and followed me like a puppy. He started hvn problems at only eight and it was renal failure. He died at home in my arms one day and the grief I had consumed me. He was so young. It's took me years and years to not feel sadness because he isn't living to be about twenty like I'd heard a lot of cats do. Going to the beach and good friends distracting me and helped me not feel like I dreaded going home to an empty house. A conversation with a woman also helped. She said to me just because something has lasted a long time or someone has lived a long time it dsnt mean anything if it wasn't quality time. The quantity might not all be good so you hv to consider the quantity of the life and the times. That helped me but also I started looking after a neighbours puppy a lot eighteen months later and my god I loved her instantly. A few months later he decided it wsnt wrkn bcos his other dog was very jealous. She belonged with me, even though I was adamant I didn't want any more pets, the thought of her being out in the world and maybe being used for breeding, all the other awful things you worry about there was no way she was going to be with anyone else. She has been my little girl for a lot of years now and she saved me. We also hv my boyfriends dog now. And I've learnt dogs love company of their own kind too. People aren't always that special. Animals always. I wish you well Marina and a big hug. There things aren't always easy to carry because a lot of people lack sympathy. They're family to us 🐶

I’m struggling. I lost my father and sister within a month of each other a few months back. I had no idea how much pain I would feel losing my German Shepherd. My heart is broken. I took today off work because I’m not really functional at this point. People are understanding of losing a loved one, not so much losing a pet. I know I need to sit in my grief, feel the sadness of his loss. I know it will get easier as it did with my recent family loss. People done acknowledge and talk about pet grief enough. They are there daily, moment to moment, they give such an unconditional love the void they leave is unbearable at times. Thank you for your video. Much love ❤️

I lost mine two days ago, finding this video of A pretty girl in A flower field sharing her experience and reading everyone’s comments is helping. His name was Zuki and he had to be put down do to health complications. He died in my arms and everything reminds me of him right now and this feeling of grief is so overwhelming I need to write this here as A memorial to him and to let anyone else know that’s reading this, your not alone in what you may be going through. Zuki you were my heart and my friend and I wouldn’t trade our time together for anything.

You can get a paw print or prints. We did & then had our fav pic of our Archie & his paw print framed & hung in a place of honor in our home. Thank you for this! You are truly helping! ❤️

Putting my dog down in a week... He's 13 1/2. Crazy how much this hurts. Been with us for almost 13 years. We was a rescue pup. Best on the spot decision I made. He started our family with my wife and I. He was there right from the start of our fresh relationship to marriage, watching my kids grow up, getting two other dogs. Watching our family grow, while he got older. I've lost relatives, friends, but this hurt is like no other. I know the guilt will set in. What was more important than taking the time to give a belly rub? Why didn't I stop what I was doing to get on the floor more often? This guilt, will go away, I know.... Just remember Dogs live in the moment. They don't hold grudges. It's that unconditional love they show you, that is why this hurts so much. His last week will be all about him and how we can spoil him. We will show him how much we love him, and how much he meant to everyone of us. I will thank him for all the happiness he has brought into our lives. I will make sure I am there by his side, to be his comfort his security as he was ours He will always be in my heart and by my side, watching me grow old, until I see him again. Love you Parker. Love you ol' Man.

Thank you so much for making this video! You are spot on.

Thanks for sharing more than just your travels, and for being you. Be Well and Safe :)

My cat, Monty, was with us from 8 weeks old to his death aged 14 years. He was just as much a member of the family as anyone. We just adored him. He died 2 years ago and we still grieve for him. He really did leave an imprint on my heart. I wish we had had more time with him. We had him cremated on his own and we had a wooden box made for his ashes. It is engraved and has a bronze paw print.

My cat died on Christmas Day a year and a half ago and what really helped was the vets gave us back his body after a few days of putting him down so we could bury him in his favourite spot in the garden. It was really crucial for our healing that we could do a little informal funeral for him and grow a rose bush where he’s buried. The time with him in the vet where we had to put him down was meaningful too, just stroking his fur was very sad but helped the greasing process and being able to let him go

It's only been 2 days but I can't stop crying! My dog had heart problems. Last July I took her to vet and she told me just watch her and give her the medicines. She couldn't go up the stairs anymore and was in heart failure..I had her for 10 years The change happened in the last few weeks. She would just stand and stare for hours. I knew it was coming but doctor said she needed to be in a hospital and on oxygen. It might run into thousands of dollars. Even if I was rich and went ahead how much longer could she live. So now I feel so horrible! I truly loved her!

This video was so timely as I had to make the decision to put my dog down this morning! Thank you for this video! Your words are kind and will help me walk this walk in the coming weeks! Thank you😊❤️

Thank you for sharing this part of your life story with us. I've been following your channel for probably a year and a half now - and when you first posted that Odie's end was near - followed by another video, saying he had passed, I had tears in my eyes, knowing all too well what this loss feels like. It was brave to share this video about grief; I have no doubt it will bring healing to a number of people. Sometimes it helps just to know we are not alone. Great advice, by the way!

Thank you Marina! This video is amazing, you speak from the heart, as you always do

Thank you. I needed this.

Thank you for talking about this. I'm looking for something to help me through this and your video was nice to hear.

Thank you to share your feeling with us , thank you for your advices too , I will loss soon my lovely yorkshire "Yaco" , he is 15 years old , It help me too much listen to you , a Big kiss from Canary Island

My beautiful boy took his last breath in my arms,I had to have him put to sleep because he was suffering with pain,it totally devastated me,I felt terrible guilt and heartbroken at the loss of my best friend,I had him for 14 wonderful years,it’s been 18 months since he left and I still miss him so much,this video has helped me especially with the guilt so thank you very much for sharing it with us.To everyone who has lost there best friend I truly hope you are ok,it takes time,one step at a time,bless you all ❤️

Thank you so much for this video.

Thank you so much for this, Marina. It must have been a painful video to make, even a year after losing Odie. I remember how upset I felt when he died so I can barely imagine how terrible it must have been for you. You are so right when you say, we don’t necessarily ever get over a pet’s death. I think that’s very true and the same for humans of course too. If you lose a close and much-loved member of your family, whether that member walks on two legs or four, it’s natural to feel terribly upset. For many of us who have or have had beloved pets in our lives, it doesn’t make any difference whether that family member is human or other. And losing a beloved family member isn’t something one, or others should expect you to ‘get over’. The constant tears may not last forever; the raw agony won’t last forever; the screaming grief won’t last forever. Basically, the shock of it gradually fades away and you learn to live with your grief. I even hesitate in saying that you learn to accept the death of the loved one, because even that is an extraordinarily hard thing to do, and often never happens. But that doesn’t matter. What happens is that gradually, very gradually, you learn to live with your grief. You accept it, it’s always there, perhaps it can still bring you to tears in an instant - but it no longer dominates your life. You no longer think about your grief with every passing minute. But this need many people have with wanting others to ‘get over’ a loved one’s death is stupid and immature, I think. If you have loved a being, human or otherwise, very deeply and with all your heart then how can you be expected to ever ‘get over it’?? No, if that being was so close to you and so loved by you, losing them will never be something you just ‘get over’ and then resume your life as if it had never happened. You will be forever changed, forever marked but both having known that wonderful being, and by having lost that being. You will never be the same as before even though, to outside eyes, you may appear to go back to your ‘normal’ self. You learn to live with your grief and often it will stay for life. But that doesn’t mean you will always be unhappy, quite the contrary. You may carry on fine and lead a very happy life! But there will always be that small (or not so small) part of you missing that being terribly and hurting that they have gone. But it doesn’t have to dominate your life - that’s why you learn to live ‘with’ the pain. I have often thought about how Ill cope when I eventually lose my Misha. It frightens me a lot because I honestly don’t know how I will survive the pain. (I hate that dogs and cats have lives so much shorter than ours!) But your video has given me a little more hope that, when it happens, I will survive losing Misha. Because no one could have loved another being more than you and Odie yet you are still here, a year on able to smile at his memory. I have to somehow trust that deep within me I will have the strength to do the same. Much love. xxx 😘😘😘

Thank you for making this VDO. This is really helping me with my pet lost. 🙏🙏🙏

I watched this when you uploaded it, and listened to all you said very carefully, and it's helped me incredibly. I had to put my labrador to sleep last Friday, and I'm lost without him. I got his ashes back today, and remembered this video was helpful, so here I am, wading through the grief, and horrible feelings of guilt, but thank you for creating this, it's helping me realise I'm not alone in my thoughts, my boy will be with your Odie ... over the rainbow bridge, having fun x hugs to you x