Sick at heart (this is sad and disturbing involves loss of a pet)

mjones0721 · July 2015

First off let me start by saying i hope i can type this where it makes sense as I'm extremely upset. When we moved a year ago we weren't able to bring our two dogs so we keep them at my parent's house which is about 3 miles away and we go there everyday to feed and water and see them. Recently my brother moved into a trailer on their property (they have 89 acres) and he has a history of drug induced mental illness. They allowed him to move there on the condition he stay clean. Well apparently he hasn't been staying clean. This morning I was woken up by a call from my sister telling me that my brother was at my mom's house with a gun and the cops were on their way. Once the cops had my brother subdued I went over there and he had told them that he had taken one of my dogs back in the woods and killed it because we don't feed them or take care of them (we do, the cops checked the other dog and confirmed they are perfectly healthy and feed). My brother wasn't in his right mind and kept saying different things so they thought he just took the dog back there and tied him up because my mom never heard any shots. One of the officers, an animal control officer and myself went back and looked for the dog but couldn't find him. My brother ended up telling them he would take them back and show them where it was. They wouldn't let me go with them that time but they found him. Apparently it was very brutal. They took my brother for a psychiatric (sp) evaluation and after they 72 hours he will be going to jail. I now have to figure out what to tell my kids and I know they are going to be heart broken even worse than I am no matter what I tell them. Sorry this is so long but I would appreciate any thought and prayers, my family and my kids need them so bad right now.

hcook321 · July 2015

My heart truly goes out to you and your family. I'm so sorry this happened. I couldn't imagine losing a pet in this way and I'm sure, due to the nature of the situation with it being your brother, it makes it just that much more difficult. Thoughts and prayers for you dear!

Sangeeta2015 · July 2015

So sorry for your loss @mjones0721 . Thoughts and prayers for you and your family.

vtgoodspeed · July 2015

Oh, that is a horrible situation. I'm so sorry for your loss. Praying for you and your family.

4foxsake · July 2015

I am very sorry for your loss and all the stress I know this must cause you. I also have a brother with severe mental illness who is in jail right now. It is a lot to deal with. I can't imagine what it would feel like if he had done something like this to my dog. I'll be thinking of you, and hoping that you can find some peace in the face of this.

jessandandy09 · July 2015

so sorry. Lots of T&P for your family. Pets are so close to our hearts and so like our own children, I am sure you must be heart broken. I would explain to your kids that the dog died, but not how. It is important for children to have an introduction to death, but not to be traumatized. One of our beloved cats is very sick and dying and we have been working hard to gently explain to our 3 year old what is going on and why we are so sad. I wish you guys the best, and am so very sorry about your loss.

Miz_Liz · July 2015

I am so so sorry for your loss and what you are going through. I can't even imagine how heart broken you are. I will be keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.

Unknown · July 2015

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raelynch87 · July 2015

I'm so sorry for your loss. Know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

toccoaparker · July 2015

I am so sorry for your loss, praying for comfort for you and your family!

benmel31 · July 2015

I am so sorry you are going through this situation. T&Ps to you and your family!

alliander42 · July 2015

I'm so sorry for your loss. Pets are a wonderful part of a family. Lots of hugs and pets for your other dog!

missmychard · July 2015

It's excruciating to lose a pet, and must be so heartbreaking to have a family member involved in this way. My heart hurts for you and your family. Praying for healing and peace for all of you.

irohspupil · July 2015

I am so very sorry. Ive lost many pets over the years but never one to a family member. I can't even begin to imagine what you are going through, and I hope your brother gets help and finds his peace.

Thinking of you

SashaDenn25 · July 2015

I am so sorry for your loss especially so sudden as these are much harder to cope with. I pray you find the correct words for your kids and that they are able to find peace. Fwiw when DSDs dog died at her moms house she was really struggling as this was the first death she ever encountered. We bought her the book Dog Heaven by Cynthia Rylant. It seemed to ease her pain and she still reads the book on days she misses her dear Debo.

kelseyrayay · July 2015

Oh my lord have mercy! I'm so sorry! I had to deal with telling my little cousin his kitty died. His mom was to upset to do it plus I have a better way of communicating with kids. He is only 5 years old. I sat him down and told him that his kitty didn't feel good and God saw how sick and unhappy he was. So God took his kitty to the kitty hospital in the sky so he would be happy and healthy. His parents got him a new cat so I also told him that God and his old kitty picked him out a new kitty to love and play with and make happy since this kitty didn't have a home. So his parents brought his new kitty in and he said thank you God for my new kitty. We also have a book called the rainbow bridge from target that explains about death of animals. I think you can pick which pet. It helps put things in perspective for little kids. He seemed to understand and cried just a little until he saw the new cat.

acgonzalez22 · July 2015

I am so sorry! My deepest sympathies. I truly pray you and your family find peace in this tragedy.

laylababe3 · July 2015

I am so sorry! Thoughts and prayers for you and your family

CarelessDiva89 · July 2015

I am so sorry you are going through this. My deepest sympathies to you and your family. Many T&p's

emschmeid · July 2015

Oh, wow, I am so sorry for your loss and the difficult situation in which your family is involved. Prayers for you all!

mjones0721 · July 2015

Thank you all. The kids were with my grandma while I went to deal with everything, they knew something was going on but didn't know what. The older ones (13, 11, and 10) decided to easedrop on my grandma when I called to give her an update so they know the gist of what happened. DH and I have talked with them and explained the best we could. They are understandably upset but dealing with it well considering the circumstances. My mom keeps apologizing to me and saying she would have tried to stop him if she'd known what he was doing but as I told her if she had gotten in his way there is no telling what he would have done and the tragedy could have been so so much worse.

I don't know if it's the stress or all the walking I did earlier trying to find my dog but i have been having contractions off and on since this morning. They aren't really timeable yet so I am trying to relax and see if that help. Praying they go away as I'm only 37 weeks and want my little man to stay in there as long as possible. Thanks again for all your thoughts and prayers!

babyyyy3 · July 2015

I am so sorry your going through this. I hope you and your family come together to get through it.

mimigrace12 · July 2015

What a terrible situation. I'm so sorry for your loss, losing a pet is like losing a family member. My heart is breaking for you and your family, thinking of all of you. I also hope your brother gets the help he needs..

usernameneededallaretaken · July 2015

You are right, if your mom had known she would have been in so much danger. If your family believes in/have a relationship with God you can try to reassure them that God chose to use one of your dogs as a way to keep your other dog, your parents, and sister safe from the brunt of brother's violence. His life had to be sacrificed to save so many others. My heart aches for the position you and your family are in. Maybe it would help to have a small memorial for him with your other dog present so the kids can have some "closure" (I hate using that word in regard to the loss of something/one).

Don't forget to let yourself grieve as well. We may be a group of internet strangers, but you can always come here to release/rant/cry/vent.