We recently lost a beloved pet, and afterward it was crushing to see another animal of any kind die for no reason. Does anyone share my feelings?

[Bricealan]

After the death of our companion animal, we soon had a pocket gopher digging around in our front flower garden and yard. I was really irked, but just set out high frequency sound makers and discouraged him/her from doing any more. Well, he went next door and started burrowing in the neighbor's yard, and his gardener set a trap and soon killed the little creature. I saw it, and it was really upsetting to see this little, brown furry creature dead like that.

Animal control usually tries to 'relocate' local 'pests' like that rather than kill them, such is the problem here in California with Coyotes and some mountain lions that come into a community.

I know, only a pocket gopher... but hard to see the small, helpless creature die.

Anyone share my sympathies?

[Curmudgeon]

I get you, but I had a neighbor do a similar thing (high frequency device driving burrowing rodent out of her yard and into mine), and the pocket gopher was taken out by my cats. Now I didn't kill the little creature, but my cats *did*. And not humanely either - they bat their victims around and toy with them (see also mice, some rats and small birds). Nature can be cruel.

By the way, unrelated but I saw your picture. Is that you and a friend at Avalon / Santa Catalina Island? I might see you blowing bubbles there later this year after the storms end?

[Bricealan]

@Curmudgeon Yes, that was me and a diving friend the last time we were there. Sadly, my Dive Buddy was stricken and died soon after with Cancer, and that kind of took the enthusiasm out of me. I want to Laguna once afterward and got knocked down in the surf line and quit the dive. I may start back if I find a good Dive Buddy... sometimes hard to find, and "Chuck" was one in a million people. Thanks for asking, and who knows, I cannot let my dive stuff stay in the closet?

[Curmudgeon]

@Bricealan I understand that too, and condolences for your friend. I think I have at last found a lady diver with whom I can share the experience, and afterwards bathe and sleep with, yea! I have always preferred boats and going down an anchor line over wading out and getting knocked over by the merciless Pacific, particularly at the Monterey, Point Lobos, and Big Sur areas, although the boat makes it more costly. And the California ocean is COLD. The first time I went down the steps at the Avalon Dive Park, I took "The Giant Stride" into the water and "WHAM"! ran into a hidden rock. I have since learned to ease off the steps and enter at water level carefully, with the BCD vest still inflated.

[Hellraiser1984]

My dog died 2 years ago. He was my buddy. He died in my arms. I can never go through that pain again.

[Bricealan]

My kitty boy died in my arms also and I saw his last breath escape his lungs and that broke my heart

[Hellraiser1984]

It's very hard. And traumatic. Sorry for your loss.

[Bricealan]

@Hellraiser1984 Since then, (October 15) I have been donating to the National Cat Protection Society, in Newport Beach and to the Orange County Humane Society. I plan on taking Dog Food to the Humane Society, as they told me that is one thing they need a lot of as they have many canines there. I may adopt another 'kitten' at some point, because I know I can provide a safe, well taken care of life for him/her.

[Msputiton]

Yes i do.

And I'm sorry for your loss

[Anonymous]

I been through that the pain hurts so much which is why i won't get another pet

[Bricealan]

You could give another wonderful pet a safe, secure, place to spend his life. Without you, what might happen to him otherwise. Please consider it. You sound like a very caring person.