Tally got hit by a car
March 12, 2007 by The Grief Blog
Filed under Blog, Dealing with Grief, Grief and Children, Q&A
 by Dr. Gloria Horsley
I was on my way to work on Friday when my son-in-law called to say the family dog, Tally, was hit and killed while chasing a squirrel across a busy highway. My son-in-law said he and my four grand-children needed me. I turned the car around and went back to the house. My daughter, son-in-law and the grand-kids were in tears. The kids were inconsolable. My twelve-year-old grandson felt angry because they had let the dog off leash.
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Ok, I know that those of us who have lost family members get really upset if loss of a person is compared to loss of a pet. However, the family was very sad and I flashed back to my seven-teen year old son, Scott’s, death some years ago. I hated seeing John and Rebecca and the kids in so much pain!!!  I was sad but being a pet lover it was not the first dog I had lost and probably won’t be the last.
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 It has been three days now and they are recovering. Their eyes and noses are red and their nerves are frayed. Unlike loss of a person they are talking about replacing their pet. The children are involved in disagreement on what type of dog to get. All I can say is I know loss is part of life but losing still hurts.
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My eight-year-old granddaughter said to her mother, “You talked about Uncle Scott but until now I didn’t know what it was like to lose something you loved. I guess this is what loss feels like.”
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Heidi and I talk on the show about not comparing losses and respecting others losses and this week I saw a prime example.Â
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Hit on comments and let me know what your thoughts are on pet loss and other losses.
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Dr. Gloria
It took me 18 mos after losing Trevor to get a puppy. His dog he had for 15 yrs growing up, Maggie, had to be put to sleep when he was at college.. I grieved for her for a long time.
I never thought my heart could open up again to care for a dog after Trevor died. But 2 yrs ago I decided to get a Cairn Terrier puppy (Mackenzie) and she has been a godsend to me. I contribute alot of my hearling to her feisty spirit and keen intelligence. I know if I lost her now I would be devastated once again. I do feel dogs have emotions and give unconditional love. I realize now that no, you can’t compare losses but the human heart and the animal heart are very close and the love of a pet can have a positive effect in one’s life. We even gave her a middle name Grace since by the grace of God, she started to heal our spirits.
So sorry to read about Tally on your blog … a wonderful example of how important it is to respect all grief! … it brought back lots of personal memories … the unconditional love from a pet is so special. Barb
My son died suddently six months ago and we have his dog. She is a wonderful pet but she is quite old. Everytime I look at her I feel the loss of my son all over because of her declining health. The last picture I took of my son was of both of them. She is looking up at him adoringly. Little did I know when I took that picture what the next few days would bring. My son really did not like his picture taken and it was such a surprise when he asked me to take a picture of the two of them. I’m so glad I did. Every time I hug that dog it’s such a warm bodied hug for my son also.
In addition 3 months after my son died his sister lost her dog of 8 years. It was heartbreaking to get that call that her Akita had died.
I don’t feel the loss of a pet can be compared to a person but it is a heartbreaking feeling. It is a big loss to those who love their pets.
My dog “Buster” was hit and killed by a car a few houts ago. I feel hollowed out; complete emptiness. I will need a long time to feel better. I miss him. Thank-you all for your thoughts and wisdom.