I have recently learned that the loss of a Shih Tzu can be incredibly hard to stomach. Our pets are part of the family. Death is a hard pill to swallow when it comes to our beloved Shih Tzus. Grief is necessary to deal with loss, but it is often difficult to cope when something so dear to our hearts is ripped away.
Blossom a gorgeous chocolate Shih Tzu puppy from my breeding program passed away unexpectedly not too long ago. This was the first time as a Shih Tzu breeder that I have had to deal with the grief of losing a puppy. Blossom was perfectly fine the night before when I went to bed. I sleep with my puppies near my bedside for the first couple of weeks. I didn’t hear any complaining in the night.
When I woke up in the morning she was gasping for air. I was relieved that my vet was able to see her right away. The vet believes she most likely aspirated breast milk. The vet said aspirating fluids is more common in flat-faced breeds like the Shih Tzu. Unfortunately, Blossom didn’t make it.
It was a tough decision deciding whether or not to share the news with my followers. Sharing grief with others makes us vulnerable. But for me, sharing grief also helps with the healing process. Many of my followers on my website and social media have become very fond of Blossom over the past couple of weeks. I thought they might want to know the news even though it is bad.
Breeders often talk about how hard it is to lose a puppy. But I thought this would never happen to me! It’s hard to picture something until it happens to you. When I became a Shih Tzu breeder, I only thought about the magic of bringing beautiful puppies Into this world and raising them. I never thought about how heart-wrenching it would be to lose one of these precious souls.
I’m here to tell you that nothing could have prepared me for Blossom’s sudden death. I’ve tube-fed puppies, clamped umbilical cords, and delivered stuck puppies but dealing with the death of a puppy that I brought into this world was not an easy task.
I shed many tears after Blossom left this world. I cried because my heart was in agony. To make matters worse, it was Mama Daisy’s birthday, and instead of celebrating she had to mourn the loss of her puppy. I cried because Blossom would never get the opportunity to take her first steps or celebrate a birthday of her own. I cried until I could no longer cry anymore.
Life is very precious and unpredictable. None of us know how long we have with our loved ones which includes our beloved pets! So in honor of Blossom make sure you make each moment with those that you love count! May you rest in Peace sweet Blossom! You will always have a very special place in my heart.
Dealing with the loss of a Shih Tzu is incredibly hard! Below are some suggestions to hopefully help you deal with the grief:
1. Allow yourself to grieve: Pain may be uncomfortable but it is a normal part of the grieving process.
2. Memorialize your pet: Create a memorial or pay a tribute to your Shih Tzu. You can write a poem or frame a photo to remember your pet.
3. Reach out for support: Talk to family members or friends who understand how important your pet is to you. Sharing your feelings and memories with people you trust can provide emotional relief during this tough time.
4. Join a pet loss support group: A support group is a great place to express your feelings to others who are going through the same thing.
5. Keep a diary: Writing about your memories and feelings might help release pent-up emotions which may be a positive outlet.
6. Get professional help: If your grief becomes overwhelming or lasts for a long time, consider talking to a counselor.
To sum things up, grief is a natural response when dealing with the death of a pet. The grieving process may take time. Healing doesn’t usually happen overnight. You must allow yourself to grieve to heal even though it may be easier to keep things bottled up. Make sure to seek support from family or a counselor for additional support.
