my dog went missing nearly a month ago and i honestly feel like I have lost a child. she was my baby and our bond was so close. i have tried everything I can think of, putting posters up, contacting all dog homes and rescue centres, posting ads on the internet and I will continue to do so until I hopefully found her.
I guess I'm creating this thread because i don't really feel like theres anyone to turn to who understands, its unbelivable how unsympathetic people can be with comments like 'its just a dog' or even 'shes probably been run over'. Even my own mum told me to basically get over it and move on. But the thing is i can't and the lack of understanding that I am receiving from everyone just seems to make this whole process even harder to deal with. the absolute despair you feel is awful and i wouldn't wish it upon my worst enemy. i miss her so much and really feel like a part of my heart is missing. i do understand that some people aren't fans of animals but the insensitive reaction I have faced is unbelievable. what i feel like i need most right now is positivity and support and help.
my boyfriend has tried his best and has been a great help but he is not a dog lover at heart at the end of the day I think only another dog lover can really even begin to realise the pain you go through. when you lose a beloved pet.
but anyway i guess i kind of just needed somewhere to talk and where else but on somehwere like here. all positive advice or comments are very welcome...thank u!

That's heartbreaking and I wish you all the best in finding your pup. I can't imagine what you're going through and it's definitely salt on the wound when people invalidate your feelings. Point is, they're your feelings and whether they agree with them or not, that doesn't change the fact that this is how you feel. It's tough for people to understand the pain they can cause with simple conversations.

You know as well as we do that stories come up all the time of dogs being reunited with their owners in weird ways. Don't lose hope. Make sure you take care of yourself and continue to function (don't fall into depression) and keep checking with your local shelters, on craigslist, anywhere a "stray" might end up.

I wish you the best. I wish I could help.

[chevy & karen]

Dear Jessica, I am so sorry this is happening. a friend of mine had her pup missing for quite awhile and I thought for sure she would never be found, but she was.. She is not just a dog, she is your family and people need to respect that..

Cry when you need to Jessica during your search and post to us when you want to talk.. We are here for you if you need us...

Please keep us posted...
Prayer's for your pup to be safe at home with you ..

[Prisca]

First of, i'm so so sorry to hear about this.
I've had to give away 3 or my animals ( 2 rabbits, and 1 puppy) and when i was little my puppy ran away. So i kinda know what you mean. I know its hard, but you can deal with this, don't rush anything don't try and forget him, just let time heal you. I wish you the best. If you ever need to talk, we're here for you.

[DoggieVogue]

I'm terribly sorry for what you are going through, and even more sorry that the people in your do not understand. I've lost pets before, and it is not easy and you never quite get over it. You did the right thing by coming here though. There are many, many people here who can relate and help you through your grief. I wish you the best of luck in your search, and don't give up hope.

hey thanks everyone for ur messages, its nice to kno thers people i can talk to about this. its weird because i kind of swing between really depressed convinced i'll never get her back to suddenly being ok and believing she will get returned. and i read an article about a dog, a jack russel just like mine, that was missing for nearly a month....listen to this....it ran away on a walk and just vanished, its owners were bewildered and had given up, then it shows up at a nearby farm on its last legs.....the dog had got stuck in a rabbit hole and was there for nearly an entire month until it lost so much weight it was able to stagger out of the hole to the farm where the farmer recognised it from a poster and took it to the vets, and it ended up surviving!!! this news sort of made me think wow, dogs are real little fighters and theres always hope, but then i started to think what if mine is stuck somehwere and doesnt get out? i went on a wander around the woods she got lost in today but as the weather is so good in London at the moment all the grass and trees have grown totally up and you can't see a thing, but i called her name and you would think a dog would let out a whine or bark or somehting if it was stuck?
well anyway she is microchipped....does anyone know if this gives her a better chance? because what if someone has found her and intends on keeping her, if they take her to the vet for a check up or something theres no reason why they would scan her for her chip if the person pretends shes theirs? thats what has got me thinking that microchips may not necesarily give her such a strong chance of being found.....
thanks guys, i really apreciate the comments xxx

Jessica, I`m heartbroken to read this!
I know what you mean by people not understanding your love and devotion to your baby.
This poem is one of my favorites!!

JUST A DOG!!!
From time to time, people tell me,
"lighten up, it's just a dog,"
or, "that's a lot of money for just a dog."
They don't understand the distance traveled,
the time spent, or the costs involved for
"just a dog."
Some of my proudest moments have come about with
"just a dog."
Many hours have passed and my only company was
"just a dog,"
but I did not once feel slighted.
Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by
"just a dog,"
and in those days of darkness,
the gentle touch of "just a dog"
gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.
If you, too, think it's "just a dog,"
then you will probably understand phases
like "just a friend," "just a sunrise," or
"just a promise."
"Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence
of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy.
"Just a dog" brings out the compassion and
patience that make me a better person.
Because of "just a dog" I will rise early,
take long walks and look longingly to the future.
So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a dog"
but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams
of the future, the fond memories of the past,
and the pure joy of the moment.
"Just a dog" brings out what's good in me and
diverts my thoughts away from myself and the
worries of the day.
I hope that someday they can understand that
it's not "just a dog"
but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps
me from being "just a man."
So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog."
just smile, because they "just don't understand."

Never give up OK

thanks so much thats a really lovely poem....i really needed it.....i just received a prank fone call about my dog, i cant belive people are so cruel....but thanks guys for listening.....ur comments and words are lovely and one of the few things keeping me going

[dogbuddy]

hello everyone and hello jessica,

i'm so sad to hear that you lost your dog but i really hope you'll find her...let me tell you a story....my friend also lost her dog a 1 year ago and she was so upset like you...we're all so upset, too because chelsea (the name of the dog) has been a great part of our group...she's always included in our gatherings and parties, so when we found out that she got lost, we were so affected too....we tried everything, posted ads on the walls within the community and even asked for assistance from the authority....we even made a blog to show all her pictures and we really hoped to find her pretty soon....but after a year, we still never found her...although we're not losing hope yet....

we're just hoping that wherever she is right now, she's fine and in good condition..i really hope that you'll find your dog and don't worry, everything happens for reason, i'm sure, a good thing will come out of this

oh by the way, my friend's okay now and she's considering to get a new dog

sorry to hear about your lost companion. don't lose hope. check newspapers and check everywhere you can. keep checking back every few days with the places like humane societies for example. vets in your area or surrounding areas. put up fliers in all surrounding towns. contact local animal control officers in your surrounding areas. dogs can get lost and some don't have the ability to make it back home. Not all dogs have a homing device. so they get further away.

was your dog possibly stolen? have you talked to your neighbors about any strange vehicles around?

can you offer a little reward ? sometimes people will recognize that with a caring dog owner and return it. you would be surprised how many people find a wandering dog and keep it for their own. a reward would show that someone is truly missing their dog. just a thought there.

for all the people you talk to that don't understand. don't blame them for their ignorance. it is just like a child. it is heart wrenching always wondering where they could be and if they are safe etc.

good luck and keep us posted.

It's just a dog yeah.. but that dog dig a space in your heart right?
A not pet lover will never understand that. Animals are just like human
though in a different way. They also have a life and feelings, when you show
them love.. they will return it more than what you give..

hey guys.....just letting u kno thers been no news of cookie....i even managed to contact the guy who runs the cctv cameras around the area wher cookie got lost and he said nothing shows up, no dog or person with a dog so i still am no closer getting to finding out where she may be, i just hope shes alive and healthy and i see her soon. please pray for her safe return everyone and thanks for yur messages x

[chevy & karen]

Originally Posted by jessica1986

hey guys.....just letting u kno thers been no news of cookie....i even managed to contact the guy who runs the cctv cameras around the area wher cookie got lost and he said nothing shows up, no dog or person with a dog so i still am no closer getting to finding out where she may be, i just hope shes alive and healthy and i see her soon. please pray for her safe return everyone and thanks for yur messages x

Dear jessica, we just have to believe that cookie is in the home of someone that love's her and she is ok... It is very possible that someone found her and fell in love with her and can not give her up.. Was she wearing tag's jessica with her name address and phone number?

My continue Prayer's are with you and cookie...

It must be really difficult for you, Jessica.
Jack Russell's are so active and busy, it seems to me that they do get lost rather more than other breeds do, and they are so small and agile that they can wriggle their way in anywhere!
I have Labradors, and if one of them is missing for even a few hours I go frantic, so I understand exactly how you feel.
Don't give up hope, and keep your chin up!
Hope this is one story that will have a happy ending.

[Lara's mom]

Jessica:

I'm so sorry that you are going through this. It just breaks my heart. I have a Jack too and it would kill me to lose her. Don't give up hope. Miracles do happen.

I hope your dog comes home Jessica Don't lose hope.

Angelpom: Thank you for the lovely poem

I'm so sorry to hear about Cookie, Jessica. I'm sure you already did this, but make sure you leave your name and number with all of the local shelters in case she got picked up. Does she have a microchip in her? You might also want to post an ad in the newspaper and put up flyers around where she was lost.

Best of luck. My prayers are with you and Cookie.

Diana
The Happy Dog Spot

I'm so sorry to hear about Cookie, Jessica. I'm sure you already did this, but be sure to contact all the local shelters and leave your name and number with them, in case she gets (or got) picked up. Does she have a microchip in her? You might also want to put an ad in the paper with a reward (if you can afford it) and flyers around where she went missing.

Best of luck. My prayers are with you and Cookie.

Diana
The Happy Dog Spot

Don't give up and hope for the best. One of the things about a true pet lover is they understand about bonds and the hurt of losing a pet that has never given anything but unconditional love. Good luck and our prayers are with you.

That`s very sad to read
Have you look to the nearest dog pound?
It might be in there.
And also post on the streets and give a little reward.
I hope you will get your dog back