When Goodbye Comes Too Soon: Coping with the Loss of a Pet

Written by AJ Coleman

Another chapter in my life has closed. It was inevitable and I knew it would come one day. But the chapter closed sooner than I expected. Usually, when a chapter ends, you take a deep breath to prepare for the next one to begin.

Who am I kidding, I’m not ready for the next chapter. I want to redo this chapter over and over and over again.

Five years ago, I made a life-changing decision that not only impacted me, but my daughter too. It was time to put our beloved Myka down. Some may claim pets are just pets, but to me, Myka was a source of strength when I needed it most.

Myka

“From the moment Myka came home, she was my girl. She was prone to mischief at times, but she made up for it with her kisses and sweet personality.”

Fifteen and half years ago, Cory and I decided we wanted a dog. Cory wanted a small male dog, naturally, I wanted a large female Airedale as I grew up with two of them. We settled on a female Cockapoo.

Myka was one of seven Cockapoo pups, three girls, four boys. By the time we arrived Friday afternoon, one girl and two boy pups remained. The two boy pups played and trampled all over Cory and me. The girl pup seemed to be determined to sniff around the area, completely ignoring us. For a brief moment, we contemplated one of the boy pups as we wanted more attention from the girl pup, but in the end, I wanted a girl.

From the moment Myka came home, she was my girl. She was prone to mischief at times, but she made up for it with her kisses and sweet personality.

Through thick and thin, Myka was a survivor. Much like Cory and myself. She was diagnosed with Masticatory muscle myositis at 15 months old. Based on the disease progression, several veterinarians suggested I put Myka down due to the medical costs and risks involved. No, she was my girl, I chose to fight for her.

“From pancreatitis to ACL tears to heart murmur to kidney failure, Myka fought through each battle. She overcame each challenge and beat all the odds.”

It took some time, but we found the right veterinarian to lead the charge. From pancreatitis to ACL tears to heart murmur to kidney failure, Myka fought through each battle. She overcame each challenge and beat all the odds.

When Cory passed away nearly 17 years ago, Myka would cuddle with me in my darkest hours to console me, often licking the tears away from my face. People always asked how I coped with Cory passing without counseling. It was Myka. And of course, my daughter. While my daughter would bring laughter and joy, Myka brought love and companionship.

Outside my daughter, Myka was the last remaining decision Cory and I made together. Another chapter closed. I knew for the past week the end was near. I trusted our veterinarian to help guide me through this process. At nearly 16 years old, Myka led an extraordinary life and inspired me in many ways. I needed her as much as she needed me.

As for my daughter, she and Myka were best friends. The first time my daughter came home from the hospital, Myka sat by her pack-n-play, trying to make sense of the newborn smell, while guarding my daughter. Since then, they’ve been inseparable. From running up and down the street to watching shows to endless cuddles, Myka was as much of my daughter’s companionship as she was mine.

Myka & Zoey

I’ll tell you, my daughter handled saying goodbye that day much better than I did. Although she was saddened and upset, she retained her composure, a pure token of her maturity. I’m not one to be emotional, but I’ll admit, it was tougher than I could have imagined.

I’ll tell you, my daughter handled saying goodbye that day much better than I did. Although she was saddened and upset, she retained her composure, a pure token of her maturity. I’m not one to be emotional, but I’ll admit, it was tougher than I could have imagined.

I find myself second-guessing whether I should have continued to battle for Myka. Could I have done more to prolong her life? Should I have waited another day, week, month, or months?

In the end, the reality is the chapter is now closed. All that is left are many fond, wonderful memories of our time with Myka.

Somewhere Myka is running around in heaven, reunited with Cory. Despite all the medical issues Myka endured, I have no doubt Cory blessed Myka with longevity. I find some comfort knowing Cory isn’t by herself anymore with Myka now right beside her.

Now, this past week, another life-changing decision was made. Only this time it was to put down our beloved Sprocket.

Sixteen years ago, Sprocket was found wandering the streets lost. As a high-jumper, it was presumed he probably jumped a fence to explore the world beyond his backyard. As a rescue dog, he first began with a foster family searching for a new home. My current wife, Tracy met him at a rescue event and immediately fell in love with him. Within hours, he was home with a new loving family.

When Tracy and I decided to marry years later, Sprocket took on my last name too. In retrospect, it was only fitting as I adopted him like a son, well, a fur son. During the covid years, Sprocket started to gravitate more to me, partly because I worked from home and spoiled with additional treats. Car rides became our bonding moments and walks were our source of tug-n-pull. When Myka crossed over, Sprocket was there to snuggle up for he understood. He was my little buddy.

At nearly seventeen and a half, Sprocket’s age caught up to him as slowly he began to decline. As a fur parent, the hardest thing is to make the decision to put an animal to sleep. It’s the void that causes the waterfalls to pour down cheeks, later questioning whether it was the right decision. Even though I went through this five years ago with Myka, it still is not an easy process to go through. Two weeks ago, Tracy placed a call to our veterinarian who’s known Sprocket since he was adopted, he confirmed the end was near. It would be a matter of weeks not months. There was simply limited life left. Instead of car rides and walks, activities were replaced with excessive, sound sleep. I think my final acceptance was when I stopped seeing Sprocket’s tail wag upon each greeting, further signaling it was time.

Still it doesn’t make it easier. I once read that dogs are considered a part of our life, but we are their entire life. Wow, I never thought of it like that before. It changed my entire perspective on being a dog dad.

Similar to our loved ones, our pets are a part of us. Knowing they have crossed over the rainbow and will be with us one day brings a little comfort. I find comfort thinking that Sprocket and Myka are reunited, chasing each other with excitement. All under the watchful presence of Cory.

Like Myka, Sprocket lived a long, happy life. He will forever be with us and in our hearts. On this day and all others, we continue to celebrate his life.

In memory of those who we miss the most, may we find the strength to keep those feet moving.