Here at Parting with Pets we understand the hardships experienced during the loss of a pet. Our goal is to provide information and support to pet owners who may be preparing for the death of their animal.
As one of the three authors of Parting with Pets, I understand that losing a pet can be emotionally crippling. My name is Erica Silva, and I said goodbye to my dog in 2010.
Layla was my family's Black Labrador. She was living with my family in San Francisco, CA when she passed.
Layla was a fourth child to my parents. When we went on family vacations, Layla was always with us. My parents even bought a bigger car to make sure she could travel with us.
My parents never wanted to leave her at an animal shelter. If they did leave her, she stayed with a trusted neighbor.
To my family's surprise, Layla's stomach started bleeding. The veterinarian told us she had three months to live.
In March 2010, I received a distraught call from my mother. She told me they put Layla down. She was only ten-years-old when she died.
On the day of her death, Layla laid down on the floor and was panting heavily. She was unable to move her body. My family immediately rushed her to the animal hospital.
An x-ray revealed she was bleeding heavily internally. My parents decided to end her misery and have her euthanized.
We are still dealing with the loss. I'll never forget that phone call from my mother and how hard it was to hear her cry.
It is our goal to let pet owners know they are not alone. We hope this information makes the process a little easier.