how to deal with the grief when a pet dies
Posted by: kfactor
11th Apr 2013 12:17pm
I am grieving the loss of my beloved dog and would like to hear from people in similar positions. My little dog Rocky was 15 and a half when we had to say goodbye at the end of January. He had been such a wonderful, loyal companion to me and my family, I don't think I realised how much I would miss him. He has left this huge void, an unending ache in my heart.
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Comments 5
Anonymous
Sorry to hear about your loss. My partner and i have 2 pugs and we picked up 2 puppy shepherds. Unfortunately at 5 weeks old, one of our shepherds had to be put down because he fell extremely ill. I was devastated as it was my first time having dogs and at such a young age it really was a hard decision. I guess the comfort of our other dogs made it more bearable and they really helped me keep my mind off it. It is by no means saying that your pet rocky should be replaced, but the company of another can help to heal your heart
kfactor
Hello Knuuphoria, sorry to hear about your little puppy, it's so hard when they are so young. People keep telling me to get over it, it's just a dog - but they are so much more than that. They become part of your family, regardless of age. They are there waiting for you when you come home, and they give their love so unconditionally I wish people were like that. I know that Rocky was 15 and a half, but he still had some years to go, he was such a good companion to me and my family. I miss him dreadfully and have to date not got another dog. I really want to, but time is not right at the moment.
Thank you for your kind words, I really appreciated them. Hope your other dogs continue to flourish and fill your world with love and affection.
Anonymous
I haven't lost my first dog yet he is still 6 years old so hopefully he still has a very long time. I have no idea what it would be like to lost a pet like him
glenoak
Hi kfactor, this post was last year, I see. I hope things are a little easier for you by now. It is always so hard when one of our pets go to the rainbow bridge. I know it doesn't help, but it seems Rocky was with you for a long time, and had a great life with you.
Perhaps you have another dog now? I hope so, because Rocky would want another dog to have what he had. Not a replacement, but Rocky would have loved to give his place to another dog so as not to waste the love he had with you. There are many dogs that are unwanted and get put in shelters, get dumped in the street and abused etc. These dogs too deserve a loving home, so it would be great if the next dog you get, you could ave one from your local shelter. I am going to save one when next I want to add to my family. (just a thought...) Hope you are doing OK now. You will never forget Rocky as they take a bit of our heart with them when they go.XXX
kfactor
Hi Glenoak, sorry it's taken so long to reply to you. We haven't got another pet yet. I keep asking for one, as I miss the companionship so much. My husband keeps saying no, with no great reason. Then I realised that even though Rocky was my pet, he was with me when we had to put him down. So maybe it's a case that it's not the right time for him either.
Thank you for your wonderful kind words, they have pulled me through some of the worst days. We had Rocky cremated and his ashes sit in a gorgeous redwood cabinet on the top of our wall-unit with a beautiful cheeky photo of him and a poem looking back. I talk to him everyday, and I hope he knows how much we loved him.
Again, thank you for caring. xx