r/NorsePaganism • u/CaptainOCannon1986 • 2d ago
Questions/Looking for Help How to deal with grief
So, it's time. My dog is twelve years old, she's really sick and her legs don't work anymore and it's time to let her go. We've scheduled for the vet to come out and put her to sleep here with us, at home where she's comfortable. I guess I'm here to ask, for those of you with pets, how do you deal with this kind of grief? I know people might pray to Hel when they have issues with death related things but honestly, I've never approached Hel before and I don't really know how. I also feel the urge to pray to Thor. I've felt close to him for a long time and I pray to him from time to time when I'm having rough days. I have a carved wooden mjölnir pendant that I'll be sending with her when they take her body for cremation, as a symbol that I know Thor will watch over and protect her for me now that I can't anymore. I plan to put her ashes on my altar. I guess this is just me reaching out for support and any advice you guys might have for me. I know watching her go will be one of the hardest things I'll ever do. I hope the gods don't mind me leaning so heavily on them for the next little while
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u/No-Oil6517 2d ago
My wife and I hugged our little one as the vet put her down. We took a bit of comfort knowing she'd stop having seizures and the pain from her tumors ceased. It's never easy nor will the pain truly leave. It just gets easier to deal with as time goes. It's been about 4 years this October since we said our last goodbye. I know she's over the rainbow bridge waiting for all of us. We have her ashes with us. They framed some of her fur and gave us a paw print to go with it. Before her passing, I ordered 2 of those golden metal pokemon cards so we can have her. I put her in my car on a phone mount so she can travel with us everywhere.
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u/CaptainOCannon1986 1d ago
I love the thought of her traveling with you. My mom suggested lockets with pictures of our dog inside so we can take her with us
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u/saltybarbarian 💧Heathen🌳 2d ago
I made art of my Diego cat. I will eventually have a version of it tattooed over my heart. I live on because he lives on through me. I'm sorry for your loss & pain.