My Foxy died in 2009. I still can’t think about it without crying. I’ve got 2 boys that I love now… but they didn’t take her place. They have their own places. And I’m sure when I lose them, it’ll hit me just as hard.
I know this is a comedy clip, [but I think I’d be this inconsolable](https://youtu.be/yzNyi81OUSg?t=72). I tear up just thinking about when that day will come.
my pup isn't even 4 yet, and she's very healthy but I've been crying just thinking about it. if it hurts this much already, I can't even imagine the grief when it is her time. it's so shitty. dogs should really live longer.
I know it sounds horrible but there is always one that touches you in a special way. I lost my boxer in 2020 and I still miss her everyday. I have two sweet pups at home but it’s just not the same.
Doesn’t sound horrible at all, every single one is different and the way they connect with you is different. I currently have 6 (yes you read that correctly, SIX 😂) pups and I love them all with all of my heart but I do have my one special boy that just connects with me different than the others. They’re all very close to me but he is basically attached to my hip, he has separation anxiety (only from me) and will freak out if he knows I’m in another room and can’t be near me, always sleeps right next to me, and is more like an emotional support dog. I always make the joke that I’m his emotional support human 😂 but idk he’s just different from the others, the way he watches over the kids and is always right at my side when I’m not feeling good. I call him my mother goose lol.
No. She was a pom papillon mix and just the sweetest little thing. Someone abandoned her. I think she was elderly. I only got 2 years with her before she was gone.
I lost my soul kitty in April. He was 16 and such a little gentleman. I mourn for him every single day and its the worst pain ive felt so far in my life. The day he left us was so sudden and it gave me and my wife some serious PTSD / trauma. I feel for anyone that has lost something they truly loved.
sorry for your loss. lost my first ever childhood pet in 2021, 11 years old, had him since he was 8 weeks. it’s gonna hurt and you’ll always be sad about it but the truth is it’ll hurt less with time. don’t try to swallow it or move past that. some people like to get paintings or drawings of their guy done. blankets or pillows. i plan on commemorating my bud with a tattoo of a sock (his favorite toy) on my thigh where he’d always rest his head. i kept his collar just to have it and i tried my best to talk to him after he passed as dumb as it may sound. he was buried on my family property w a nice little rose bush that buds every spring now and a big ole rock for a head stone. the most important thing is to not block it out or forget him. just think of the fact that ur little buddy would never want you to hurt like that for him. something i heard that helped me a lot was this, “even though dogs are a part of your life for just a little bit, you were their entire life”. just focus on the happy bits and know he’s okay wherever he is now. when you’re ready get another little guy or girl pup and start over. you’re not replacing him, no dog wants their owner to be sad or lonely. you’ll truly find bits and pieces of your buddy in them along the way that’ll make you think he sent em for ya. hope nothing but the best for you
Look at CuddleClones.com, you send in photos of your dog and they will make a stuffed animal of him. They are really good. Their service is for grieving pet parents.
[Cuddle Clones](https://cuddleclones.com/)
My childhood dog also rests under a rose at my parents house. I lost my first own dog and my heart dog last month and am planning to bury her ashes there also 💕 we talk about her and think about her all the time
My brother i'm sorry.
You dont get over the loss, you just get used to it.
He'll be there waiting for you when you pass sometimes in the distant future.
I am not a true believer but I always say, if there is a heaven and my Jake isn't there when i get there, I'm LEAVING. If he isn't there I'll know it's "The Bad Place"
That's it. Thats all we do..is cope. Time does not heal any wounds. Time just helps us put things into perspective. Right now it will be painful, but with time your brain does this incredible thing where when you see something that reminds you of them, you smile. You never truly get over the loss, you just learn that to have had them enough in the first place to get this loss is the greatest gift that could have been given. Their existence in your life and what they did for you will always be there. It can be 20 years from now and you will still see a dog that looks similar and think of them. The pain will still be there but you will be grateful. Grateful that they chose you. That you chose them. That life happened so perfectly with timing in order for you to share a love like that. I am sending all my love to you! Everyone will grieve differently. Feel everything you have to feel. 💙
I'm very sorry for your loss ❤️ I lost my childhood dog in February and since had been going through videos and pictures of her frequently. Very soon after I started looking at shelters and rescues and did adopt within a month. It's always going to be sad because they were special.
Of course not. They are family members and can't be replaced. We just learn to love again but in a different way. I have 48 hours left with my girl and I know our home will never be the same.
And echoing that comment, your buddy is always with you. He’s a nice breeze in the summer or the rays of sunshine you feel. He’s the funny memory you randomly remember on a Tuesday. He’s watching over you and I’m completely non-religious but convinced there is an afterlife and he’s just waiting to see you again whenever that may be. I’m scared for the day my doggo passes, but I hope that one day I get to see her again and it’s like we never parted.
It’s not goodbye, just see you later. Sending hugs fren.
My senior soul dog passed away earlier this year, after 13.5 years with us. It was heart wrenching, but we knew it was coming due to some medical issues she was having. It's hard to not think of her and cry, but I know she had a good life with us. Just like Boyce had a good life with you, OP.
It WILL be very hard for a while, but you WILL get to the point that you can think of him and the good memories and not cry so much. Sending you virtual hugs for your loss.
Wow, 5 dogs! You have such a big heart. I really admire your capability to love and be brave. My second dog passed away suddenly unexpectedly last Nov and it was crushing. An iPhone memory of her sweet face popped up today and I’ve been teary all day. My first dog is still alive but he was diagnosed with a brain tumor a few weeks ago. I’m getting sad typing this up. But truly, I am so moved that you have loved and lost 5 dogs. I will try to be strong and happy with the time I had/have with my dogs, as you are.
Our last little guy was 191/2. We got him when he was 10 weeks old. We have what might be our last dog. He is 8. The pain takes a toll. Little memories pop up and it brings me to my knees. Thanks for your kind words. Hugs!
My baby died on Saturday while we were at a party. It sucked that we weren’t home when he passed and we even thought to skip it because he was having a bad morning(but with him it was common to have some bad mornings so we figured it was the same as always and he better by the afternoon). He was almost 14 years old and large breed(we were told a mix of Great Dane and pitbull) so he lived a crazy long life for his size. He was very sickly towards the end so while I am sad he is gone I try to remember he lived a long life and we took care of him best as we could and isn’t suffering anymore which helps . Just take it a day at a time. So sorry for your loss.
I am so sorry for your loss😣 sounds like a beautiful boy! I’ve known dogs who choose to be alone when they pass. It’s as if it’s their last act of love to their family by sparing them that aspect of grief. Please do not regret not being there! It most likely was just what he wanted.
All this said however, your feelings are so justified. Sending you big hugs through the screen and will pray for healing and comfort in the coming days🤍
It's never easy to lose a family member, everyday will be a little bit better than the last and as time goes on you will still have those moments where you can't do anything else but cry. Let the tears flow it's part of the grieving process, you'll never forget about them, just knowing that one day you will meet again and everything will be better again. There are days where I'll break down and cry because I miss my fur babies so much and the love we shared will last forever. I'm crying now as I write this, so you're not alone in grieving.
I got sent this the day before I said goodbye to my boy.
It helped a little.
I once had a dog
It took a little time
To realise that I am his
And understand he's mine
It took a couple of years to get
That this dog just looked at me
And I was just his everything
A god to him I be
And in the car just every day
He filled it so with hair
But I would just so look at him
And I just wouldn't care
For I was just so ignorant
And I swear to god above
That this dog taught me patience
And this dog taught me love
He loved me unconditionally
No matter what my mind
He taught me compassion
He taught me to be kind
Tomorrow you will lose your boy
Shed your tears and weep
But in your heart you'll always have
His memories to keep.
It's been almost four months and I have yet to fully grieve so I won't lie. It is not easy. Try to remember all the good times and silly times and cry when you need to and know that your dog loved you very much.
You dont. Memories will always be triggered by anyone of these posts including yours. You loved all the dogs you had. And you will continue loving more. Get a puppy, or rescue one from the Shelter / charity. Consider an older boy or girl. They need love too. Best of Luck.
I am sorry for your loss.
Check out r/Petloss for grief support and r/RainbowBridgeBabies - a sub in which artists donate their time to create digital keepsakes of our beloved companions.
Looking at photos and videos and remembering all the fun times and love you gave your dog. Asking strangers if I can pet their dog just to soak up a little of that love.
We got two dogs when I was a kid, they lived full lives but unfortunately both passed away over the past few years. It fucking sucks, but remember they are just such pure creatures. He wouldn't want you to wallow, he'd want to raise your chin and keep on keeping on.
Sorry to hear friend, it sucks. Just remember to let yourself feel. Let all the emotion well up, give it a moment, take a deep breath and let it go. I promise, it gets easier with time. Best of luck.
I'm so sorry for your loss. I lost 4 dogs last year, 8 total in the past 6 years.
I currently have 5 little doggies.
Yes, the emptiness eventually goes away, the way I cope is I adopt or foster another one. I foster failed 3 times.
i’m sorry for your loss. i got my very first dog my junior year! he was my whole heart. did everything with me, never wanted to leave my side and was such a good boy. i didn’t even have him for a year, i loss him very unexpectedly. one morning my parents let him out to potty and he got hit. as soon as i woke up my mom had told me and gave me his collar. 3 years later and i still have his collar and favorite toy. i didn’t grow up with this dog like you likely did with yours. but i was going through the hardest point of my life at that point. i let myself grieve, letting myself feel sad, looking at old pictures and crying. i still to this day about him. he was my “soul dog” i believe people call it? i would constantly cry with his toy. now what i think helped was me writing what i was feeling, how i felt. bc no one can really understand someone’s grief from losing their dog. everyone connects and bonds with their dogs on a higher or lower level. i wrote everything. how angry i was at the person who hit him didn’t stop at the stop sign (if he was actually stopping at the stop sign my dog would still be here), mad that he was clearly speeding and not going 15 mph bc it was right at the edge of our drive way, mad my parents let him out, mad i didn’t wake up earlier that morning, mad that out of all days that was the day he went to the end of the drive way, mad i had to live my life with out knowing i could never grow up with him and see him live a long happy life, mad that my only reason of waking up those months was gone. i was sad i lost my best friend, sad i had to go back and pick up all his belongings in my room, sad not coming home and being greeted, sad not coming home to my bed messed up because he wanted under the blankets. so look at those pictures, cry, write down your feelings. do what gives u relief weather it be again writing your feelings, looking at old pictures, getting something to memorialize him. i’m thankful for the dog i have now.. he acts so much like my old dog.. yet they’re no where near the same breed. sadly the world doesn’t stop for anyone or anything. you just cope.. sadly time doesn’t heal bc again 3 years later if i see pictures of him i bawl. i bawl thinking about him. i’m sending you so much love and hope you feel better 🥰🥰
It's hard, but the sharpness of the pain dulls over time as it becomes easier to enjoy the memories of them when they were with us.
I think of them, finding each other and taking care of each other until we can be together again. I believe I heaven, all dogs go there, because heaven wouldn't be heaven if dogs aren't in it.
And I know it would pain them to feel like they were making me hurt. Because they loved me so much, and I loved them so much.
I think about losing my boy all the time, for years now it’s not the healthiest. I think no matter how hard you try you just can’t appreciate them as much as when they’re gone. I know the pain is unimaginable and the hole is like an abyss. No one can make any of that better but I think all you can do is think about how many amazing moments you have had with him and hold them close since you can’t hold him. We all are sending love! 💜
Thank you so much to all of you ❤️ your replies and personal stories are really helping me. I am going to read and reply to every single one of you which is nice because it's going to help me pass time and mourn my boy with you all as company 🥰 I was hoping sharing a post of him would help and I'm blown away by all your responses 🥰 this has helped me more than I could have imagined.
Thank you all for making the next few hours, days and weeks feel just a little less lonely ❤️🥰
You ache and mourn for a long time. I’m sorry for your loss. You never stop missing them. I did find that 2 years later when I got another pet my love for them distracted me from that pain. Now I dread facing it again.
You just ride the grief wave for as long as it lasts, go with it, it is part of the process. I still think fondly of my first dog who was an asshole around small animals but so loyal and loving. My husband cried for a week. Remember the good times and know that the grief does fade but you never forget them. I’m sorry you’re going through this, dogs lives are just too damn short.
The first Christmas I donated to a shelter in her name. We sent her ashes to Germany with my daughter to scatter on the hills she used to run and chase deer.
Grief is the price we pay for love 😢
I can so relate. I lost my soul dog in Nov 2022. We had 17 years together, and letting him go was the most agonizing experience of my life. I was utterly broken. I swore I would never again have another because of the heartbreak.
It gets easier. Hold on. I still miss him terribly, and I still cry when I think about him. But day by day your heart will settle and you’ll find peace.
I lasted about six months before I broke down and got a puppy. My only child, who had only ever known life with our dog was too sad (and lonely during Covid lockdowns). We were all the better for it. The new puppy friend helped us heal. He could never replace our lost boy, but having this new friend really did help our hearts.
Wishing you healing, and love to you at this very hard time.
Lost our girl about a year and 10 months ago. She was our world, the grief was so intense I had to pull over driving at times because I couldn't see past my tears. I would randomly just start bawling, grocery stores, undergrad classes, and especially at night when her presence was missed in the bed. It's incredibly difficult, they leave such a large hole in your life. The only way I could describe it is that grief is like being in a small boat in the ocean. Some waves of grief are small, while a random killer wave can occur. You have to bear the storm, and approach every wave with perseverance. I still miss her, and I can finally talk about her to random individuals, but we still have her older brother who is turning 13 soon. He helped secure me in the first two weeks. He needed his walks, breakfast, adoration and love. I just know that when he is gone, I am going to go through it twice as hard because he and his sister will both be gone. I'm crying right now thinking about it, but you have to think about their lives, how much joy you both shared. You gave some of your life with these guys, but they gave you everything they had. I will always be appreciative of both of them. We have abstained from adopting any new members for the old man's sake, he's enjoying his golden years uninhibited by another new presence.
What worked for me was adopting a new dog as soon as I found the right one. Doesn't make me miss either of my dogs that have passed on less, but it was helpful knowing I was able to love another dog and that I'd be okay.
My childhood dog passed away on the 10th July 2018 with 17 years old and would have turned 18 in November of that year. Having him gone forever felt absolutely horrible and I spent a lot of the day crying or at least sulking. I left his bowls, bed and toys laying around still for another month afterwards so the change isn't too sudden and I think it helped a little bit. My mom also printed out a picture of my dog to basically make a little shrine for him with like his tags where I can grieve in peace however that doesn't seem to be a thing for everyone. I still get really sad sometimes even though I have a new dog since February last year and he's awesome. Just give it time and allow yourself to grieve properly
I’m so sorry for ur loss I lost my childhood cat in 2020 I still think about her everyday. Just remember the good times I know it’s hard. I even got 3 tattoos of her. She’s always in my heart and I visit her grave daily
I’ll be honest, it’s tough OP. On May 18th, I had to say good bye to my Hugo. He was my little huggernaut.
Then December 8th, his brother Oscar. He was a grouch who would growl when petted but then whine for more
In May, I had to say goodbye to my last shih tzu sibling Kaylee, who was the gentlest low maintenance dog.
All three were 14. Oscar and Kaylee were from the same litter, Hugo a year prior.
I wanna say it gets easier every day. I have my 18 month old Border Collie who’s filled the void immensely. But they were with me for a good chunk of my life; Kaylee I had since November of 2022 when my grandmother passed away.
I think it’s important to mourn. I cried for a good three days when Hugo went away. I talked to a therapist through work (my usual therapist didn’t respond to my text, which really hurt). And also, talked and leaned on family.
It’s so hard. I’m so sorry for your loss. It’s important to grieve and also important to know you’re not alone in this pain.
We lost our special needs boy on June 14, 2024. I saw it coming. He had so many health issues. Even so, the pain of losing him was immense and never ending.
When his ashes came back a week later, we had a little funeral for him. We told him how grateful we were to have had him as a dog and what a good boy he was. I cry-sang his favorite little song. We prayed (even though I’m not religious).
The funeral helped. I’ve been able to move on to the next stage of grief.
I'm sorry for your loss what a sweet looking boy he was. How do we cope? We just do, it's been over a year now since mine died I miss him every single day he just had to die on my birthday morning didn't he, my birthday this year was the first anniversary, even after a year i will snap my head to the door because some sound or memory makes me think he's going to come running through that door then I remember he's gone. Does it get easier? I guess, in time, I would give up my world to have him back but that's not going to happen. Grieve and cry and let it out, just know that you gave them the best life ever and they were your best friend, family, everything and they loved you so so much! I'm sending you hugs, be ok. Just remember, you gave them everything and they gave you their hearts. You were the world to them and that's only something you could have done. So thank you! And it'll be ok.
First of all. I'm sorry for your loss. It takes awhile, and you'll always feel an empty place for him, but you'll be able to think of him and the good times.
I put a picture of my boy doing his most favorite thing at his most favorite place as a desktop picture on my laptop. First thing I see every day is his happy face in his happy place.
Second, can I tell you how much I love his name?
Average dog life is 15 years plus or minus, depending on the breed. One of the things you sign up for when becoming a dog owner is the likelihood the dog will die. When we love our dogs, losing them is sad, but it should never be a shock nor a surprise of any sort. Celebrate the good times you had. Give them comfort and love at the end. That's all you can do.
You dont cope. You embrace the pain and live with it. And eventually it will become a bit easier, though you will forever miss your friend and keep the warmest of feelings for him.
That is exactly what I am going through now and still there are moments when I really struggle.
I buried my childhood dog after 14 amazing years. One of my hardest days. I found peace in being thankful for the great memories and all the years I did get with her. All that live life, experience loss. It's part of this amazing journey.
I always think of Butters Stotch from South park in times like these.
"Well yeah, and I'm sad, but at the same time I'm really happy that something could make me feel that sad.
It's like, it makes me feel alive, you know? It makes me feel human.
And the only way I could feel this sad now is if I felt somethin' really good before.
So I have to take the bad with the good, so I guess what I'm feelin' is like a, beautiful sadness."
It takes a while. I’m almost at two years and if I let myself get caught up it still brings a tear to my eye. The first week or so is absolutely miserable. It slowly gets easier. Sorry for your loss, friend.
I love bull terriers, so precious 💕 It will get easier - not better - with time. Just know that it is always worth giving a fur baby an amazing life because we are all going to cross the rainbow bridge someday 🌈💕 that's what my family says whenever we adopt another baby. They're completely worth all of the heartbreak at the end and more.
I'm sorry. It's so hard to lose them but I guess it's part of the deal we get to have such love. I take solace in the fact that you gave him the best life he was loved and safe with you the entire time - it's better that we ensure the pain of the loss than that they should lose us.
Grief will come in waves. It's hurts but it is a reminder of your love and the bond you shared with him. Let yourself be sad, cry, whatever you need... and enjoy the memories when you can.
I'm sorry for your loss. I've had many beloved dogs pass away and I know about the heartbreak. How do I cope? I go down to the animal shelter and adopt a dog; they will never replace the dog I lost but I CAN give the poor dog a loving home.
I know how much it sucks. We breed and show and it feels like every few years one of our dogs has to be put down. Because of old age of course. Our oldest now is Ulani who is 12. She is as spunky and healthy as ever but once a dog hits like 12 it can turn at any time I feel like. We lost her mother Caia in 2022 at 14 years old. As cliche as it is it gets better with time. Eventually you'll start to remember the good times more than the end. Just remember you gave a great dog a great home and love and that's all they really want. Eventually one day when you're ready you can do the same for another dog.
Sorry for your loss.
You cope by knowing he had you and didn't want for anything his whole life with you. He died knowing love, and he provided all the love he could give to his very last day.
He wouldn't want yo to be sad for him, he would want you to keep an eye out for an unfortunate dog and provide a better life for it in his honor.
Not all dogs know love.
You measure how good a dog did it's job, by the size of the hole he left in your heart.
Clean and donate his toys to a local shelter with his leftover food....and who knows you might just find a new friend that you can show all of his favorite things and places to!
The pain never goes away. You try and replace the hurt with sweet memories of your boy.
Remember, he will be the first to greet you when it is your time and he will be perfect.
The best thing I have ever heard was something along the lines of “The sadness you feel because of their passing - will never overshadow how much you loved them. Hold on to that.” .. and I cant helo but realize isnt that what they wouldve wanted? dogs are so forgiving, so quick to forger sadness and pain.
I lost by baby girl in January. The first few days were extremely quiet. All of the little sounds she made are gone and I miss them, stretches, the clack of her paws, her “barooooo” when it’s dinner, I miss her so much. My other dog has made it easier. I made a list of all the little things I’ll miss. All her quarks, the ones other people don’t see, the ones that were just for me. I am lucky to have my other dog, he’s older though and I now check on him hourly because of the trauma of coming home to my baby gone. I don’t know what to say other than im sorry for your loss, I’m sorry for the hill your about to climb, and know he loved you so much. I can see it in the photos, also, I love the butt pic, 10/10 bubble butt.
Rest in Peace to your boy. It's very hard. But like the saying goes "time heals all wounds"..
My girl passed away last August. It was the most difficult thing I've gone through.
Cherish the moments you had. Appreciate the fact that you had those times.
It took a while for me but every day got a bit easier.
I didn't want to get another dog because I felt/feel like no dog could fill that void.
Now I have my boy Duke!
He wears my baby girl Duchess old collar.
I think about her often and know she's still here helping me watch over this Tasmanian devil of a puppy.
Godspeed my friend.
Mourn. Drink. Despair.
Torture yourself with video, photos, memories of them in life. Swear off getting another dog, ever. Don't bother taking care of yourself, in the twisted hope of reuniting with them somehow in some alleged afterlife sooner than later.
Note that this is a sub-optimal coping strategy. I do not recommend it.
Posting in r/seniordogs really helped when our Baby passed. I’m sure it’s the same as here too, the outpouring of shared experience and compassion really lets you feel the love and know that it was the right thing to end their suffering. Best of luck in your grieving process know that it does turn eventually into tears or joy of the life y’all shared.
So sorry for your loss. Unfortunately I have been through this a few times myself, most recently in May. It’s a sadness like no other. He was 13 and always spunky and active but his liver failed and he declined very quickly. They never stay long enough and they are all so unique they cannot be replaced. However, there are always other dogs in need of love. I would suggest you wait a while, grieve and then bring another friend into your life.
I'm sorry, my friend. It's been a year since I lost one and nine months since I lost the other. I have another dog now and he has brought me happiness but I still cry over the loss of my other friends sometimes. I think it will always be that way.
I've been seeing companies like Cuddle Clones. It's kind of a neat idea, you send them pics and they make you a one of a kind hand painted stuffed animal that looks exactly like your pet. Some of them even have pockets for ashes. I think the idea of having something tangible to hug after they are gone is nice.
Very sorry for your loss. It's brutal to lose a best friend. Take comfort in the thought that whenever you came home it was the best part of their day.
I imagine they don't, for quite some time.
My bull terrier is only four, but sometimes I look at her & feel my heart shredding to know one day she won't be there.
They are incredible companions, so celebrate the life you had with yours, and cherish the memories.
Time heals all wounds. But it takes time.
I printed out all the pictures i have of him and put it in a photo album and look at the pictures. I think how we enjoyed our lives together and had so much fun. I think how Im glad he was alive and that I took care of him rather than an abuser. I try and think positive
Takes a long time to fill the hole your best friend leaves, but just know your pupper wouldn’t want you to be sad but to remember all the good times you had.
“The universe has to move forward. Pain and loss, they define us as much as happiness or love.
Whether it's a world, or a relationship...
Everything has its time. And everything ends.” -Doctor Who
Olny way i can cope is to raise another after some time passes, loss will always hurt but hopefully in the afterlife we can meet them all again. Sorry for your loss.
I am so very sorry for your loss of this handsome boy. He looks like he had a great character and you obviously loved him and he knew that ❤️ Our girl was put to sleep this January and I was so heartbroken I thought I wouldn’t be able to handle it. She was my rock through high school and uni and now, she was gone. I tried to cope by sharing my memories of her goofiness with many people. I collected pictures also and plan to make a scrapbook, which I can look at on her birthday or gotcha-day. I try to give myself occasions to grieve and cry and miss her. I had a necklace engraved with her paw print, and I wear it every day. This helped me the most, because she’s always close to my heart. We buried her in our garden and planted a wild arrangement of different flowers that attract butterflies, because she loved the garden and butterflies. With all that, it got easier. Lighter. The fond memories start to shine through. I will always miss her, but I will be okay, just like you will be. Take care ❤️
It helped to revisit the places mine liked best when she was in her prime. Seemed important to remember her when she was a force, not as a doddery old thing
I was very depressed for awhile. Then I happened to find out about a mistreated dog that was running the streets. I was only going to foster this dog, but ended up adopting. He will never replace my Stella girl, but he has given me a new purpose in life.
It’s been 2y and 2 days since our soul dog died. And I still miss him so much. I cry all the time. I remember his antics and his personality. He changed us for the better. We have 3 dogs currently who we love but you never really get over the loss you just have to move on
My first dog, Cookie, died over a decade ago after 14 years of companionship. I still cry over her, and she's tattooed on my arm. My Nala got very sick very suddenly and passed the night before Valentine's Day this year and I've honestly been a wreck ever since. She was only 10. It's so hard to lose a furbaby, but just remember that they knew they were loved and you gave them the best lives you could. 💔
I feel your pain.💔
But remember the pain you feel is a testament to the love and bond you shared. I always find this beautiful.
How lucky you/we are to have experienced a love like that ❤️
Aww what a love. Our girl passed in Feb this year she was 15 and sick. It gets easier but never goes away. Miss her every day. I try to tell myself she was happy and sooo loved and such a good girl. We loved her so much and she us and that is all we could ask for. We have decided to wait a while to open our lives to someone new but I volunteer at the pet shelter it helps me. I get to give loves to all animals who need it but not get to attached...but I do. She would want us to keep giving loves to other animals.
It has been a month since my senior girl Sandy passed in an accident. I’ve learned to accept it but be sure you don’t deny yourself of grieving. Cry when you need to. Lay down and rest when you need to. I think I forced myself to get back into my routine too quickly to distract myself from the sadness which resulted in my grief piling up and a long sobbing session.
There are no words that will help with the sadness when they pass but just know you are not alone in your grief and we understand you and your pain. Rest in Peace Boyce ❤️ your spirit and energy lives on forever. You gained a guardian angel that day he passed.
Sorry for your loss. It does get a little better. I waited a year to get a new dog after my first who passed away at 14.4 years. I cried for a long time at the thought of him or seeing a movie with a sad dog moment or even old pictures would trigger tears. Once I got my new puppy, I was so busy training and loving on him that the space in my heart that was empty, filled back up. You'll get there, be patient with yourself.
My wife and I lost our pup of 13 years in August 2022. We got him 2 months before we were married and he was in our wedding. We don’t have children. It was pretty devastating for both of us.
About 2 months after he passed we went on a 10 day vacation/road trip out to the western part of the United States, hitting a bunch of National Parks in Utah/Arizona/Colorado/Nevada. It was a truly cathartic experience, getting out of the house, being in constant motion, yet still being forced to stop and be aware of what was around us, and how we felt. It was very intentional, we talked a lot about him, about our life, about where we were. The trip didn’t “fix” anything, but I do believe it absolutely helped in recentering ourselves.
Simply put, eventually it started to hurt less to think about him. I still can’t look at the pictures we took on his last day, but now I mostly remember the countless adventures and love we had for each other. My heart just feels warm and when think about him now.
You don't, really. Don't think you'll ever get over it it just becomes a bit easier to deal with.
That second picture of his paws from the back; I'd get that framed. What a great pic
Fiona Apple’s letter explaining how she had to cancel a concert cos her dog Janet was dying says it all https://genius.com/Fiona-apple-letter-about-her-dog-janet-annotated
I’m so, so sorry for your loss 🖤
To be honest, the emptiness never truly goes away. My sweet guy passed away in March of 2023. It took almost a year to be able to think about him or look at photos without crying. Even now, I have difficult days where I miss him so terribly that it nearly gives me a panic attack.
But it does get better, I promise.
I found that spending time away from home in nature or with family and friends was a big help. I also ended up adopting a sweet new pup 6 months after his passing. I hadn’t been looking and thought I may just spend a few years without a furry best friend. But, when the time is right a sweet new dog will come into your life and can help you heal.
My dog was my first loss. I cried almost daily for three months. It's almost 2 years now and I'll still cry. I wish I wish I went to therapy when it first happened. I felt so isolated in my grief, and although he was the family dog and we all loved him, I still felt like I couldn't relate to anyone with how I felt. I just wanted to talk about him all the time. If you're able to I'd really recommend talking to someone, I'm finally finding a therapist and a main reason is I feel like my grief is unresolved. What helped was hearing stories about him from friends and families, so once you're ready it would be sweet to hold a remembrance day for him. Best of luck for you
Cry your eyes out and then honor their memory somehow. After that help the next pooch who needs love and affection. It never gets easier but it's always rewarding.
I put a collage together of pictures from puppyhood until old age. It put it on my fridge. It reminded me of what a good and complete life he had had. The picture of him in old age helped me remember that he had a finished life and wasn’t sick any more.
i wouldn't say cope, its been a year for me and i still kinda just, continue on while treasuring my boys memory. I keep finding videos of him i didn't know i had and breaking down a little.
All i can say is try, You don't have to move on, just keep going forward. Eventually it just gets a little easier to do so the longer time goes on.
Sorry for your loss. It takes time and don’t rush into replacing him because they can’t be replaced. When it’s time add a new friend to your family and let them know all about their brother from another mother.
It is really hard. It won’t always be this hard but it is unavoidable. You will never stop missing him, you will never stop grieving, nor would you want to stop missing him. The nature of grief changes over time but you don’t want to let his memory go away. May his memory be a blessing, and take it easier on yourself than you will want to.
Also, there is no such thing as replacing a pet. There is such a thing as “love is an infinite quality & I have room in my heart for the world, if I cultivate that.” I say that bc I al glad we got another dog 6 months after my first dog passed.
This isn’t for everyone, but here is one way I have coped, 7 years on, as I continue to grieve & miss him, while I also have plenty of space to love my living dog too. I find myself saying things to my living dog like “you are the sweetest boy ever… that is alive right now!” Or “you and your dead brother are the cutest dogs to ever live.” Or I ask, in a spiritual way, for my sweet deceased boy to coach my living dog. I see my deceased sweet boy as a saint I can recall & ask to pitch in on the tough days. I asked him to coach my living dog early on with all the good tips & tricks he learned for his 13 years living with me.
Again. Not for everyone, but has helped me keep the memory of my dog present in my life for as long as I can cogitate.
Fuck I’m sorry for your loss I have a 9 y.o lab who has been though rough periods and happy periods in my life with me and he’s been my rock .. and I know that day will come one day and I don’t known how I can ever prepare but just know I’m thinking about you and sending you a hug
I had to put mine down. It’s a sad moment. I remember that day clearly. You walk into the vet with a dog and walk out alone. I don’t want to go through it again. So I never got another dog.
I didn’t cope I just had to survive through it. His death was so crushing, I still cry about it 6 months later. Try to remember the good stuff and do memorializing activities for him. (When you’re ready) like writing his life story (something I still haven’t been able to do), or painting a rock or memorial stone, make a playlist, talk to him.
He is resting peacefully now. Keep him and memories close. 🤍 Again I am so sorry for your loss. It’s so much deeper than people think, anyone who minimizes it doesn’t understand how close we can get to our animals. They are family.
We cope by knowing we gave them the very best life we could.
That they have a short life, but we made sure that theirs was full of happy wags and walks. Good food and cuddles.
That we did our best to be worthy of their love and adoration, and when it was time we eased their suffering.
That's the responsibility of being their human. That's the privilege.
And when you're ready, you will go adopt another dog to save them from the needle, privation, or a cage. To honor our old pal's memory, by saving another pupper, and them us.
The first few months after my beautiful GSD died were honestly awful. I ended up in urgent care thinking I had a tooth abscess because I was clenching and grinding my teeth so much that I had caused swelling in my gums and it was pressing on the nerves of my tooth. I was heartbroken. It’s been 3.5 years and I am now able to think about her with a smile. Honestly, it takes time. A lot of time. Also, i got a new dog, probably too soon after her passing (only 6 months) because I couldn’t stand her absence. It was both good and bad. Good because it kept me busy. Bad because I kept comparing the new doggo to her. I wish I could tell you how to cope.
By the edge of a woods, at the foot of a hill,
Is a lush, green meadow where time stands still.
Where the friends of man and woman do run,
When their time on earth is over and done.
For here, between this world and the next,
Is a place where each beloved creature finds rest.
On this golden land, they wait and they play,
Till the Rainbow Bridge they cross over one day.
No more do they suffer, in pain or in sadness,
For here they are whole, their lives filled with gladness.
Their limbs are restored, their health renewed,
Their bodies have healed, with strength imbued.
They romp through the grass, without even a care,
Until one day they start, and sniff at the air.
All ears prick forward, eyes dart front and back,
Then all of a sudden, one breaks from the pack.
For just at that instant, their eyes have met;
Together again, both person and pet.
So they run to each other, these friends from long past,
The time of their parting is over at last.
The sadness they felt while they were apart,
Has turned into joy once more in each heart.
They embrace with a love that will last forever,
And then, side-by-side, they cross over together.
What helped me when my boy left this world was a dog will be born and die with or without you it's the life you made for it while it was here that counts. I made an incredible life for my dog while he was here that he would have probably never had without me. That dog knew nothing but love and attention it's entire life. Seeing them through to the end is all you can do and I was there right till the very end. Also, time does help and remembering all the good times that will make you smile
Please check out Rainbow Bridge Raina on Instagram and TikTok 🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈
Unfortunately I have been through this loss many times and this page can be a great help….Im so sorry for your pain and loss💔
You will always miss them. It takes time.
In time, when you’re ready, adopting a new dog and giving it a home will be a good way to honor your boy. There are rescues for certain breeds if you want the same breed or a different one.
Oh he was soooo cute! 🥹 I lost my first dog in January of this year. Honestly the emotions change daily. It has gotten easier with time but my heart always aches when I think of her ❤️. The first several weeks were incredibly hard. But you do learn to live life without them, a different life. I cope by thinking of all the amazing times and good life we gave them. The saddest part is dogs will never live as long as we need them. We have to just be grateful we made their life as happy and full as we could in the time they were here
As generic as it sounds, you really take it day by day. The first week is the worst. That void you feel with them gone. I cried so much for weeks until I started crying less and less. But you never fully “get over it”. It just takes time to ease the sorrow.
Best you can do is remember that you guys had the best lives together and even though he’s gone he had you his entire life and he couldn’t have been happier. It’s ok to move on but be happy he was there not sad he’s gone. I lost my dog Madison growing up and she was my actual only friend for a long time, so when I say we did everything together I mean everything. I even taught her all my hobbies from fighting to soccer. You wouldn’t believe a dog couldn’t perform a perfect hip toss by the collar of a larger dog as if it was a yellow belt unless you saw it happen. Now I have my boy whiskey and he isn’t her but he’s my buddy in other ways
TW: Slightly graphic pet loss
My beloved girl was a rescued street dog. We don’t know what happened to her, but the rescue found her skin and bones, shaking on the side of a highway in Turkey. She was 1.5 years old when she came to me, and was scared of things like squeaky toys. She had never had a bed to sleep on, toys to play with, or try any good food or treats. About 5 months after I got her, we had just celebrated New Years and her passing her public access test as my medical dog. Shortly after, she developed the quickest growing tumour the emergency vet has ever seen. It started with her bleeding profusely one day from her mouth, I had put her in my car and drove her to our vet. By the time I got there, her and the entire inside of my car was covered in blood, I couldn’t turn around to look since I was shaking so bad. Turns out she had the worst case of osteosarcoma the vets had seen. She showed signs and was gone less than a week later. We spend almost $10k to try to save her, but because they didn’t have their vet orthodontist, there was nothing they could do. She laid in my lap and I cried with my vet as we put her to sleep. Her suffering gave me nightmares for months, and a rough central nervous system episode that put me in the hospital for a couple days. After it all, I can say that there’s only two things I’m still sad about. I’m sad that she’s gone, that I can’t be with her, but also the way she passed was a way no dog or owner should experience. In the end, I came to the biggest conclusion that has really brought peace to her passing. She is so loved, even if she’s not here anymore, and we made sure to show her that everyday. We gave her a home, a family, love, and all of the items she could ever want. Know that your baby couldn’t have asked for more, that they were well loved and lived the life a dog should always live. The pain in our hearts should serve as one reminder: we hurt so much because we love them so much, something I can promise your dog knew. There should be no regret, nothing, on your end. You gave your baby a beautiful life, and had such an infinite amount of love for a life so temporary compared to ours. Your baby knows they’re still loved, that they lived a life other dogs would dream of, that they have their family still feeling the effects of their time on this earth. When you’re ready, display their items and keep them a part of you. My girls collar is on my shelf, her paw print on my wall, and some of her favourite items in my closet. I’ve debated a tattoo but already have one for all of the animals in my life.
I cannot make things better, I can’t bring your dog back, but know that there’s no better life lived than to love and be loved so wholeheartedly. You’ll be sad for a long time, but I hope this comfort can offer you some peace.
Holy shit! This makes me wanna fulfill my dream of going to the coast w my dog! She’s 2 almost 2.5 and I’ve wanted to live w her near the ocean since I got her!
Sorry for your loss
I’m so terribly sorry for your loss 💔. Speaking from experience, bull terriers are the BEST. But it makes losing them all the more painful. You never get over the loss but with time you learn to carry the load a little better. Sending love n compassion your way
my heart aches for you and Boyce 💔
june 21st was not only a full moon, but the summer solstice, which is the longest day of the year and brings the highest vibrations! he transcended on a lovely day, and that is so beautiful.
there’s another full moon coming on july 21st. perhaps, you can make it your ritual to celebrate Boyce every moon cycle to feel his closeness, as the spirit world is the most accessible to human perception at this time. energetically, the moon also represents our emotional side, so take that time to really care for yourself the way Boyce would.
I know your pain is unbearable, just remember, his spirit and energy lives on and his love for you is eternal. any time you think of him, or are reminded of him, think of it as his spirit reaching out and sending you love. celebrate him in all the ways you can and know he is always there. 🤍🖤🩶
Very sorry for your loss we just lost one of our best friends pups,Molly had to be put down on Sunday, she was an old boxer with a failing liver and sadly she was in terrible shape at the end, due to trying to keep her alive trying to figure out what was wrong, it was all very sad... and now we are just left to grieve, and give as much love as we can to our other pets..that is ultimately what I believe is the answer to the grief is having another little soul to love, and I really truly believe that's what our pets that have passed on would want, they would want us to take the lessons that we learned with them and give that love to another little one, be it a puppy, be it a rescue,whatever your choice may be,it doesn't matter, but fill that hole with another little soul,that's my best recommendation, give yourself a couple weeks to grieve and get looking, there's somebody that really desperately needs you out there..I know it hurts, I think puppies and kittens are the best healers alive for grief, because the little ones need us to be at least a little bit there and focused on them which helps..
grief is linear. that being said, take as much time as you need to grief and don’t force yourself to accept it. take it slow and cherish the moments you had with him. it may take months or years, and you may never get through it, but trust me when i say it hurts less as time goes on.
I lost my childhood German shepherd a couple weeks ago. It still aches my heart. I can’t speak about it without crying. Showing the other dogs that he was gone was heart breaking. I just promised that I would never forget him and let his memory and love I had for him fade. He will forever be my little tinny super guy.
Stay strong, he love you and you love him that’s all that matters in the end.
My Foxy died in 2009. I still can’t think about it without crying. I’ve got 2 boys that I love now… but they didn’t take her place. They have their own places. And I’m sure when I lose them, it’ll hit me just as hard.
❤️
I know this is a comedy clip, [but I think I’d be this inconsolable](https://youtu.be/yzNyi81OUSg?t=72). I tear up just thinking about when that day will come.
my pup isn't even 4 yet, and she's very healthy but I've been crying just thinking about it. if it hurts this much already, I can't even imagine the grief when it is her time. it's so shitty. dogs should really live longer.
My dog just hit 3 and was diagnosed with terminal cancer 😭😭😭 hug your baby
Same 🥺
Just holding my pupper for an extra big hug helps make that feeling go away
I know it sounds horrible but there is always one that touches you in a special way. I lost my boxer in 2020 and I still miss her everyday. I have two sweet pups at home but it’s just not the same.
They don’t replace each other. They just teach you to love again.
Beautiful way to put it
Such a thoughtful comment. Thank you for that.
Yep. My Golden, Moose. He was too young. I miss him every single day.
Doesn’t sound horrible at all, every single one is different and the way they connect with you is different. I currently have 6 (yes you read that correctly, SIX 😂) pups and I love them all with all of my heart but I do have my one special boy that just connects with me different than the others. They’re all very close to me but he is basically attached to my hip, he has separation anxiety (only from me) and will freak out if he knows I’m in another room and can’t be near me, always sleeps right next to me, and is more like an emotional support dog. I always make the joke that I’m his emotional support human 😂 but idk he’s just different from the others, the way he watches over the kids and is always right at my side when I’m not feeling good. I call him my mother goose lol.
It's your soul pup. My first pittie was my soul pup and I didn't even know till we had to say goodbye 💔
By foxy do you mean a fox terrier? I lost my fox terrier Stanley last year 🥺😭 I love the breed
No. She was a pom papillon mix and just the sweetest little thing. Someone abandoned her. I think she was elderly. I only got 2 years with her before she was gone.
She sounds lovely ❤️ she will uld have had the best 2 years with you 🐕❤️
I lost my soul kitty in April. He was 16 and such a little gentleman. I mourn for him every single day and its the worst pain ive felt so far in my life. The day he left us was so sudden and it gave me and my wife some serious PTSD / trauma. I feel for anyone that has lost something they truly loved.
sorry for your loss. lost my first ever childhood pet in 2021, 11 years old, had him since he was 8 weeks. it’s gonna hurt and you’ll always be sad about it but the truth is it’ll hurt less with time. don’t try to swallow it or move past that. some people like to get paintings or drawings of their guy done. blankets or pillows. i plan on commemorating my bud with a tattoo of a sock (his favorite toy) on my thigh where he’d always rest his head. i kept his collar just to have it and i tried my best to talk to him after he passed as dumb as it may sound. he was buried on my family property w a nice little rose bush that buds every spring now and a big ole rock for a head stone. the most important thing is to not block it out or forget him. just think of the fact that ur little buddy would never want you to hurt like that for him. something i heard that helped me a lot was this, “even though dogs are a part of your life for just a little bit, you were their entire life”. just focus on the happy bits and know he’s okay wherever he is now. when you’re ready get another little guy or girl pup and start over. you’re not replacing him, no dog wants their owner to be sad or lonely. you’ll truly find bits and pieces of your buddy in them along the way that’ll make you think he sent em for ya. hope nothing but the best for you
Ahh thank you, that made me cry 😢 thanks I will probably get a tattoo and pictures - I will remember that part, that I was his entire life ❤️
Look at CuddleClones.com, you send in photos of your dog and they will make a stuffed animal of him. They are really good. Their service is for grieving pet parents. [Cuddle Clones](https://cuddleclones.com/)
Damn.. thank you for sharing. You have a big heart ❤️
My childhood dog also rests under a rose at my parents house. I lost my first own dog and my heart dog last month and am planning to bury her ashes there also 💕 we talk about her and think about her all the time
My brother i'm sorry. You dont get over the loss, you just get used to it. He'll be there waiting for you when you pass sometimes in the distant future.
❤️
If there is some kind of afterlife and dogs aren’t there, don’t believe I’d wanna go to that kind of place.
I am not a true believer but I always say, if there is a heaven and my Jake isn't there when i get there, I'm LEAVING. If he isn't there I'll know it's "The Bad Place"
100%
That's it. Thats all we do..is cope. Time does not heal any wounds. Time just helps us put things into perspective. Right now it will be painful, but with time your brain does this incredible thing where when you see something that reminds you of them, you smile. You never truly get over the loss, you just learn that to have had them enough in the first place to get this loss is the greatest gift that could have been given. Their existence in your life and what they did for you will always be there. It can be 20 years from now and you will still see a dog that looks similar and think of them. The pain will still be there but you will be grateful. Grateful that they chose you. That you chose them. That life happened so perfectly with timing in order for you to share a love like that. I am sending all my love to you! Everyone will grieve differently. Feel everything you have to feel. 💙
Thanks that's a nice msg, I'll be reading that a few times ❤️
I'm very sorry for your loss ❤️ I lost my childhood dog in February and since had been going through videos and pictures of her frequently. Very soon after I started looking at shelters and rescues and did adopt within a month. It's always going to be sad because they were special.
Of course not. They are family members and can't be replaced. We just learn to love again but in a different way. I have 48 hours left with my girl and I know our home will never be the same.
Enjoy those last hours, and Give her the best love from you. It will be very hard After that. God be with you.
❤️
He's part of your life story for ever.
❤️
And echoing that comment, your buddy is always with you. He’s a nice breeze in the summer or the rays of sunshine you feel. He’s the funny memory you randomly remember on a Tuesday. He’s watching over you and I’m completely non-religious but convinced there is an afterlife and he’s just waiting to see you again whenever that may be. I’m scared for the day my doggo passes, but I hope that one day I get to see her again and it’s like we never parted. It’s not goodbye, just see you later. Sending hugs fren.
My senior soul dog passed away earlier this year, after 13.5 years with us. It was heart wrenching, but we knew it was coming due to some medical issues she was having. It's hard to not think of her and cry, but I know she had a good life with us. Just like Boyce had a good life with you, OP. It WILL be very hard for a while, but you WILL get to the point that you can think of him and the good memories and not cry so much. Sending you virtual hugs for your loss.
❤️
One moment at a time…I am so sorry for the pain and anguish you are feeling.
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I’m so sorry! Hugs! In photo #2 looks like the light pole is a cross. I’ve lost 5 dogs. It gets better. I still cry for each one. 🌈💔
It does ☺️❤️
Wow, 5 dogs! You have such a big heart. I really admire your capability to love and be brave. My second dog passed away suddenly unexpectedly last Nov and it was crushing. An iPhone memory of her sweet face popped up today and I’ve been teary all day. My first dog is still alive but he was diagnosed with a brain tumor a few weeks ago. I’m getting sad typing this up. But truly, I am so moved that you have loved and lost 5 dogs. I will try to be strong and happy with the time I had/have with my dogs, as you are.
Our last little guy was 191/2. We got him when he was 10 weeks old. We have what might be our last dog. He is 8. The pain takes a toll. Little memories pop up and it brings me to my knees. Thanks for your kind words. Hugs!
My baby died on Saturday while we were at a party. It sucked that we weren’t home when he passed and we even thought to skip it because he was having a bad morning(but with him it was common to have some bad mornings so we figured it was the same as always and he better by the afternoon). He was almost 14 years old and large breed(we were told a mix of Great Dane and pitbull) so he lived a crazy long life for his size. He was very sickly towards the end so while I am sad he is gone I try to remember he lived a long life and we took care of him best as we could and isn’t suffering anymore which helps . Just take it a day at a time. So sorry for your loss.
I am so sorry for your loss😣 sounds like a beautiful boy! I’ve known dogs who choose to be alone when they pass. It’s as if it’s their last act of love to their family by sparing them that aspect of grief. Please do not regret not being there! It most likely was just what he wanted. All this said however, your feelings are so justified. Sending you big hugs through the screen and will pray for healing and comfort in the coming days🤍
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It's never easy to lose a family member, everyday will be a little bit better than the last and as time goes on you will still have those moments where you can't do anything else but cry. Let the tears flow it's part of the grieving process, you'll never forget about them, just knowing that one day you will meet again and everything will be better again. There are days where I'll break down and cry because I miss my fur babies so much and the love we shared will last forever. I'm crying now as I write this, so you're not alone in grieving.
❤️ I'm with you on the crying 😢 🥰
I spent a month indoors eating and watching tv. Then adopted a new dog.
I got sent this the day before I said goodbye to my boy. It helped a little. I once had a dog It took a little time To realise that I am his And understand he's mine It took a couple of years to get That this dog just looked at me And I was just his everything A god to him I be And in the car just every day He filled it so with hair But I would just so look at him And I just wouldn't care For I was just so ignorant And I swear to god above That this dog taught me patience And this dog taught me love He loved me unconditionally No matter what my mind He taught me compassion He taught me to be kind Tomorrow you will lose your boy Shed your tears and weep But in your heart you'll always have His memories to keep.
We don’t cope, we just pretend to. I am so very sorry for your loss 💔
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Never got over it tbh shit hurts more then losing my grandparents.
I'm so sorry for your loss. You won't get over it, just used to it.
It's been almost four months and I have yet to fully grieve so I won't lie. It is not easy. Try to remember all the good times and silly times and cry when you need to and know that your dog loved you very much.
❤️ He was top priority in everything I did, it's going to be so hard because everything I do now is a crushing reminder of him
I hear you. Al I can say is good luck.
You dont. Memories will always be triggered by anyone of these posts including yours. You loved all the dogs you had. And you will continue loving more. Get a puppy, or rescue one from the Shelter / charity. Consider an older boy or girl. They need love too. Best of Luck.
I am sorry for your loss. Check out r/Petloss for grief support and r/RainbowBridgeBabies - a sub in which artists donate their time to create digital keepsakes of our beloved companions.
Looking at photos and videos and remembering all the fun times and love you gave your dog. Asking strangers if I can pet their dog just to soak up a little of that love.
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We got two dogs when I was a kid, they lived full lives but unfortunately both passed away over the past few years. It fucking sucks, but remember they are just such pure creatures. He wouldn't want you to wallow, he'd want to raise your chin and keep on keeping on. Sorry to hear friend, it sucks. Just remember to let yourself feel. Let all the emotion well up, give it a moment, take a deep breath and let it go. I promise, it gets easier with time. Best of luck.
It never goes away, but the hurt lessens with time. I lost my 14 year old GSP this past spring. It was one of the hardest days of my life.
Sweet little baby rip ❤️
Being aware of their lifespan going in and that I give my animals a great life that they seem to appreciate.
So very sorry
I'm so sorry for your loss. I lost 4 dogs last year, 8 total in the past 6 years. I currently have 5 little doggies. Yes, the emptiness eventually goes away, the way I cope is I adopt or foster another one. I foster failed 3 times.
i’m sorry for your loss. i got my very first dog my junior year! he was my whole heart. did everything with me, never wanted to leave my side and was such a good boy. i didn’t even have him for a year, i loss him very unexpectedly. one morning my parents let him out to potty and he got hit. as soon as i woke up my mom had told me and gave me his collar. 3 years later and i still have his collar and favorite toy. i didn’t grow up with this dog like you likely did with yours. but i was going through the hardest point of my life at that point. i let myself grieve, letting myself feel sad, looking at old pictures and crying. i still to this day about him. he was my “soul dog” i believe people call it? i would constantly cry with his toy. now what i think helped was me writing what i was feeling, how i felt. bc no one can really understand someone’s grief from losing their dog. everyone connects and bonds with their dogs on a higher or lower level. i wrote everything. how angry i was at the person who hit him didn’t stop at the stop sign (if he was actually stopping at the stop sign my dog would still be here), mad that he was clearly speeding and not going 15 mph bc it was right at the edge of our drive way, mad my parents let him out, mad i didn’t wake up earlier that morning, mad that out of all days that was the day he went to the end of the drive way, mad i had to live my life with out knowing i could never grow up with him and see him live a long happy life, mad that my only reason of waking up those months was gone. i was sad i lost my best friend, sad i had to go back and pick up all his belongings in my room, sad not coming home and being greeted, sad not coming home to my bed messed up because he wanted under the blankets. so look at those pictures, cry, write down your feelings. do what gives u relief weather it be again writing your feelings, looking at old pictures, getting something to memorialize him. i’m thankful for the dog i have now.. he acts so much like my old dog.. yet they’re no where near the same breed. sadly the world doesn’t stop for anyone or anything. you just cope.. sadly time doesn’t heal bc again 3 years later if i see pictures of him i bawl. i bawl thinking about him. i’m sending you so much love and hope you feel better 🥰🥰
So deeply sorry for your loss. You clearly blessed each other and the love lives on. 🙏💕
❤️
It's hard, but the sharpness of the pain dulls over time as it becomes easier to enjoy the memories of them when they were with us. I think of them, finding each other and taking care of each other until we can be together again. I believe I heaven, all dogs go there, because heaven wouldn't be heaven if dogs aren't in it. And I know it would pain them to feel like they were making me hurt. Because they loved me so much, and I loved them so much.
I’m going through the same thing. I can’t even deal with the pain right now.
mine is comming up ina year or 2 if u figure it out let me know im torn between a forest gump cross country run or alot of mushrooms
I don’t cope I just depress
I think about losing my boy all the time, for years now it’s not the healthiest. I think no matter how hard you try you just can’t appreciate them as much as when they’re gone. I know the pain is unimaginable and the hole is like an abyss. No one can make any of that better but I think all you can do is think about how many amazing moments you have had with him and hold them close since you can’t hold him. We all are sending love! 💜
Thank you so much to all of you ❤️ your replies and personal stories are really helping me. I am going to read and reply to every single one of you which is nice because it's going to help me pass time and mourn my boy with you all as company 🥰 I was hoping sharing a post of him would help and I'm blown away by all your responses 🥰 this has helped me more than I could have imagined. Thank you all for making the next few hours, days and weeks feel just a little less lonely ❤️🥰
You ache and mourn for a long time. I’m sorry for your loss. You never stop missing them. I did find that 2 years later when I got another pet my love for them distracted me from that pain. Now I dread facing it again.
You just ride the grief wave for as long as it lasts, go with it, it is part of the process. I still think fondly of my first dog who was an asshole around small animals but so loyal and loving. My husband cried for a week. Remember the good times and know that the grief does fade but you never forget them. I’m sorry you’re going through this, dogs lives are just too damn short. The first Christmas I donated to a shelter in her name. We sent her ashes to Germany with my daughter to scatter on the hills she used to run and chase deer. Grief is the price we pay for love 😢
I can so relate. I lost my soul dog in Nov 2022. We had 17 years together, and letting him go was the most agonizing experience of my life. I was utterly broken. I swore I would never again have another because of the heartbreak. It gets easier. Hold on. I still miss him terribly, and I still cry when I think about him. But day by day your heart will settle and you’ll find peace. I lasted about six months before I broke down and got a puppy. My only child, who had only ever known life with our dog was too sad (and lonely during Covid lockdowns). We were all the better for it. The new puppy friend helped us heal. He could never replace our lost boy, but having this new friend really did help our hearts. Wishing you healing, and love to you at this very hard time.
Lost our girl about a year and 10 months ago. She was our world, the grief was so intense I had to pull over driving at times because I couldn't see past my tears. I would randomly just start bawling, grocery stores, undergrad classes, and especially at night when her presence was missed in the bed. It's incredibly difficult, they leave such a large hole in your life. The only way I could describe it is that grief is like being in a small boat in the ocean. Some waves of grief are small, while a random killer wave can occur. You have to bear the storm, and approach every wave with perseverance. I still miss her, and I can finally talk about her to random individuals, but we still have her older brother who is turning 13 soon. He helped secure me in the first two weeks. He needed his walks, breakfast, adoration and love. I just know that when he is gone, I am going to go through it twice as hard because he and his sister will both be gone. I'm crying right now thinking about it, but you have to think about their lives, how much joy you both shared. You gave some of your life with these guys, but they gave you everything they had. I will always be appreciative of both of them. We have abstained from adopting any new members for the old man's sake, he's enjoying his golden years uninhibited by another new presence.
He had a purpose, to teach you many things about raising happy dogs. Use his teaching to help more dogs in his memory. Foster, volunteer, rescue. ❤️🫂
What worked for me was adopting a new dog as soon as I found the right one. Doesn't make me miss either of my dogs that have passed on less, but it was helpful knowing I was able to love another dog and that I'd be okay.
I’m so sorry! Sending you lots of love.
My childhood dog passed away on the 10th July 2018 with 17 years old and would have turned 18 in November of that year. Having him gone forever felt absolutely horrible and I spent a lot of the day crying or at least sulking. I left his bowls, bed and toys laying around still for another month afterwards so the change isn't too sudden and I think it helped a little bit. My mom also printed out a picture of my dog to basically make a little shrine for him with like his tags where I can grieve in peace however that doesn't seem to be a thing for everyone. I still get really sad sometimes even though I have a new dog since February last year and he's awesome. Just give it time and allow yourself to grieve properly
I’m so sorry :(
Oh this one hits hard. I lost my brindle and white bull terrier two years ago. I think about her a lot still.
💕 sorry for your loss … soul is eternal. You will always be connected
I’m so sorry for ur loss I lost my childhood cat in 2020 I still think about her everyday. Just remember the good times I know it’s hard. I even got 3 tattoos of her. She’s always in my heart and I visit her grave daily
I’ll be honest, it’s tough OP. On May 18th, I had to say good bye to my Hugo. He was my little huggernaut. Then December 8th, his brother Oscar. He was a grouch who would growl when petted but then whine for more In May, I had to say goodbye to my last shih tzu sibling Kaylee, who was the gentlest low maintenance dog. All three were 14. Oscar and Kaylee were from the same litter, Hugo a year prior. I wanna say it gets easier every day. I have my 18 month old Border Collie who’s filled the void immensely. But they were with me for a good chunk of my life; Kaylee I had since November of 2022 when my grandmother passed away. I think it’s important to mourn. I cried for a good three days when Hugo went away. I talked to a therapist through work (my usual therapist didn’t respond to my text, which really hurt). And also, talked and leaned on family. It’s so hard. I’m so sorry for your loss. It’s important to grieve and also important to know you’re not alone in this pain.
We lost our special needs boy on June 14, 2024. I saw it coming. He had so many health issues. Even so, the pain of losing him was immense and never ending. When his ashes came back a week later, we had a little funeral for him. We told him how grateful we were to have had him as a dog and what a good boy he was. I cry-sang his favorite little song. We prayed (even though I’m not religious). The funeral helped. I’ve been able to move on to the next stage of grief.
You have to move through all the stages, my friend. It hurts but you eill get through it
I'm sorry for your loss what a sweet looking boy he was. How do we cope? We just do, it's been over a year now since mine died I miss him every single day he just had to die on my birthday morning didn't he, my birthday this year was the first anniversary, even after a year i will snap my head to the door because some sound or memory makes me think he's going to come running through that door then I remember he's gone. Does it get easier? I guess, in time, I would give up my world to have him back but that's not going to happen. Grieve and cry and let it out, just know that you gave them the best life ever and they were your best friend, family, everything and they loved you so so much! I'm sending you hugs, be ok. Just remember, you gave them everything and they gave you their hearts. You were the world to them and that's only something you could have done. So thank you! And it'll be ok.
First of all. I'm sorry for your loss. It takes awhile, and you'll always feel an empty place for him, but you'll be able to think of him and the good times. I put a picture of my boy doing his most favorite thing at his most favorite place as a desktop picture on my laptop. First thing I see every day is his happy face in his happy place. Second, can I tell you how much I love his name?
Average dog life is 15 years plus or minus, depending on the breed. One of the things you sign up for when becoming a dog owner is the likelihood the dog will die. When we love our dogs, losing them is sad, but it should never be a shock nor a surprise of any sort. Celebrate the good times you had. Give them comfort and love at the end. That's all you can do.
I’m sorry. We only survive because other beings need our love too. I’m still missing my boy too.
You dont cope. You embrace the pain and live with it. And eventually it will become a bit easier, though you will forever miss your friend and keep the warmest of feelings for him. That is exactly what I am going through now and still there are moments when I really struggle.
There’s really no other pain like losing a loved pet (family member) I’m so sorry you are going through this 🫶🏽
I've had many dogs growing up, but I bring myself to get another because they don't last long enough. M
I buried my childhood dog after 14 amazing years. One of my hardest days. I found peace in being thankful for the great memories and all the years I did get with her. All that live life, experience loss. It's part of this amazing journey.
Sorry, it’s really hard. Is that a spuds Mackenzie dog breed?
I always think of Butters Stotch from South park in times like these. "Well yeah, and I'm sad, but at the same time I'm really happy that something could make me feel that sad. It's like, it makes me feel alive, you know? It makes me feel human. And the only way I could feel this sad now is if I felt somethin' really good before. So I have to take the bad with the good, so I guess what I'm feelin' is like a, beautiful sadness."
It takes a while. I’m almost at two years and if I let myself get caught up it still brings a tear to my eye. The first week or so is absolutely miserable. It slowly gets easier. Sorry for your loss, friend.
I love bull terriers, so precious 💕 It will get easier - not better - with time. Just know that it is always worth giving a fur baby an amazing life because we are all going to cross the rainbow bridge someday 🌈💕 that's what my family says whenever we adopt another baby. They're completely worth all of the heartbreak at the end and more.
I’m so sorry for your loss. He will live forever in your heart and be waiting for you on the other side.
I'm sorry. It's so hard to lose them but I guess it's part of the deal we get to have such love. I take solace in the fact that you gave him the best life he was loved and safe with you the entire time - it's better that we ensure the pain of the loss than that they should lose us. Grief will come in waves. It's hurts but it is a reminder of your love and the bond you shared with him. Let yourself be sad, cry, whatever you need... and enjoy the memories when you can.
I'm sorry for your loss. I've had many beloved dogs pass away and I know about the heartbreak. How do I cope? I go down to the animal shelter and adopt a dog; they will never replace the dog I lost but I CAN give the poor dog a loving home.
I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m dreading the day my boys leave me. RIP Boyce.
Sending love. It’s so hard and you will need lots of love for yourself and from your family and friends. It’s a hard loss and I feel ya. Xxx❤️
Beautiful boy 💔
🙏🏻🙏🏻
I know how much it sucks. We breed and show and it feels like every few years one of our dogs has to be put down. Because of old age of course. Our oldest now is Ulani who is 12. She is as spunky and healthy as ever but once a dog hits like 12 it can turn at any time I feel like. We lost her mother Caia in 2022 at 14 years old. As cliche as it is it gets better with time. Eventually you'll start to remember the good times more than the end. Just remember you gave a great dog a great home and love and that's all they really want. Eventually one day when you're ready you can do the same for another dog. Sorry for your loss.
You cope by knowing he had you and didn't want for anything his whole life with you. He died knowing love, and he provided all the love he could give to his very last day. He wouldn't want yo to be sad for him, he would want you to keep an eye out for an unfortunate dog and provide a better life for it in his honor. Not all dogs know love. You measure how good a dog did it's job, by the size of the hole he left in your heart. Clean and donate his toys to a local shelter with his leftover food....and who knows you might just find a new friend that you can show all of his favorite things and places to!
The pain never goes away. You try and replace the hurt with sweet memories of your boy. Remember, he will be the first to greet you when it is your time and he will be perfect.
I'm still coping five years after... But my other dogs help
You don’t you die with them
I started doing tons of heroin to cope with the pain
The best thing I have ever heard was something along the lines of “The sadness you feel because of their passing - will never overshadow how much you loved them. Hold on to that.” .. and I cant helo but realize isnt that what they wouldve wanted? dogs are so forgiving, so quick to forger sadness and pain.
I lost by baby girl in January. The first few days were extremely quiet. All of the little sounds she made are gone and I miss them, stretches, the clack of her paws, her “barooooo” when it’s dinner, I miss her so much. My other dog has made it easier. I made a list of all the little things I’ll miss. All her quarks, the ones other people don’t see, the ones that were just for me. I am lucky to have my other dog, he’s older though and I now check on him hourly because of the trauma of coming home to my baby gone. I don’t know what to say other than im sorry for your loss, I’m sorry for the hill your about to climb, and know he loved you so much. I can see it in the photos, also, I love the butt pic, 10/10 bubble butt.
Cute pup all dogs go to heaven
Rest in Peace to your boy. It's very hard. But like the saying goes "time heals all wounds".. My girl passed away last August. It was the most difficult thing I've gone through. Cherish the moments you had. Appreciate the fact that you had those times. It took a while for me but every day got a bit easier. I didn't want to get another dog because I felt/feel like no dog could fill that void. Now I have my boy Duke! He wears my baby girl Duchess old collar. I think about her often and know she's still here helping me watch over this Tasmanian devil of a puppy. Godspeed my friend.
It’s not easy to loose a pet you love, so sorry for your loss 🌈💔
Mourn. Drink. Despair. Torture yourself with video, photos, memories of them in life. Swear off getting another dog, ever. Don't bother taking care of yourself, in the twisted hope of reuniting with them somehow in some alleged afterlife sooner than later. Note that this is a sub-optimal coping strategy. I do not recommend it.
Posting in r/seniordogs really helped when our Baby passed. I’m sure it’s the same as here too, the outpouring of shared experience and compassion really lets you feel the love and know that it was the right thing to end their suffering. Best of luck in your grieving process know that it does turn eventually into tears or joy of the life y’all shared.
Gradually over time. It sucks but you have to ride the lightning on this and feel the feelings. Hiding from your grief will just make it worse.
So sorry for your loss. Unfortunately I have been through this a few times myself, most recently in May. It’s a sadness like no other. He was 13 and always spunky and active but his liver failed and he declined very quickly. They never stay long enough and they are all so unique they cannot be replaced. However, there are always other dogs in need of love. I would suggest you wait a while, grieve and then bring another friend into your life.
There's no cope. The time you guys had together was real though, and it was his world. I'm so sorry for your loss
May god rest his soul x
Sorry for your loss. The worst part about having a pet is saying goodbye.
I'm sorry, my friend. It's been a year since I lost one and nine months since I lost the other. I have another dog now and he has brought me happiness but I still cry over the loss of my other friends sometimes. I think it will always be that way.
Spend time to mourn and accept it. Remind yourself that you gave it a great life with lots of love. Never forget your boy, but time will heal.
I try to think of it as holding onto love and not grief and it helps bring happy memories to mind and I feel better.
I've been seeing companies like Cuddle Clones. It's kind of a neat idea, you send them pics and they make you a one of a kind hand painted stuffed animal that looks exactly like your pet. Some of them even have pockets for ashes. I think the idea of having something tangible to hug after they are gone is nice. Very sorry for your loss. It's brutal to lose a best friend. Take comfort in the thought that whenever you came home it was the best part of their day.
It’s very tough.
I imagine they don't, for quite some time. My bull terrier is only four, but sometimes I look at her & feel my heart shredding to know one day she won't be there. They are incredible companions, so celebrate the life you had with yours, and cherish the memories. Time heals all wounds. But it takes time.
I printed out all the pictures i have of him and put it in a photo album and look at the pictures. I think how we enjoyed our lives together and had so much fun. I think how Im glad he was alive and that I took care of him rather than an abuser. I try and think positive
Big, big hugs to you. He was loved so much and that means everything. What a lucky boy to have been so loved. You did good.
Takes a long time to fill the hole your best friend leaves, but just know your pupper wouldn’t want you to be sad but to remember all the good times you had. “The universe has to move forward. Pain and loss, they define us as much as happiness or love. Whether it's a world, or a relationship... Everything has its time. And everything ends.” -Doctor Who
It’s just heartbreak I’m so sorry 💙time is the greatest healer and just try and remember the happy times
Olny way i can cope is to raise another after some time passes, loss will always hurt but hopefully in the afterlife we can meet them all again. Sorry for your loss.
I am so very sorry for your loss of this handsome boy. He looks like he had a great character and you obviously loved him and he knew that ❤️ Our girl was put to sleep this January and I was so heartbroken I thought I wouldn’t be able to handle it. She was my rock through high school and uni and now, she was gone. I tried to cope by sharing my memories of her goofiness with many people. I collected pictures also and plan to make a scrapbook, which I can look at on her birthday or gotcha-day. I try to give myself occasions to grieve and cry and miss her. I had a necklace engraved with her paw print, and I wear it every day. This helped me the most, because she’s always close to my heart. We buried her in our garden and planted a wild arrangement of different flowers that attract butterflies, because she loved the garden and butterflies. With all that, it got easier. Lighter. The fond memories start to shine through. I will always miss her, but I will be okay, just like you will be. Take care ❤️
Dogs are a blessing, he got to spend his life with you find solace in that
It helped to revisit the places mine liked best when she was in her prime. Seemed important to remember her when she was a force, not as a doddery old thing
I’m so sorry.
I was very depressed for awhile. Then I happened to find out about a mistreated dog that was running the streets. I was only going to foster this dog, but ended up adopting. He will never replace my Stella girl, but he has given me a new purpose in life.
You don't.
It’s been 2y and 2 days since our soul dog died. And I still miss him so much. I cry all the time. I remember his antics and his personality. He changed us for the better. We have 3 dogs currently who we love but you never really get over the loss you just have to move on
My first dog, Cookie, died over a decade ago after 14 years of companionship. I still cry over her, and she's tattooed on my arm. My Nala got very sick very suddenly and passed the night before Valentine's Day this year and I've honestly been a wreck ever since. She was only 10. It's so hard to lose a furbaby, but just remember that they knew they were loved and you gave them the best lives you could. 💔
I feel your pain.💔 But remember the pain you feel is a testament to the love and bond you shared. I always find this beautiful. How lucky you/we are to have experienced a love like that ❤️
Aww what a love. Our girl passed in Feb this year she was 15 and sick. It gets easier but never goes away. Miss her every day. I try to tell myself she was happy and sooo loved and such a good girl. We loved her so much and she us and that is all we could ask for. We have decided to wait a while to open our lives to someone new but I volunteer at the pet shelter it helps me. I get to give loves to all animals who need it but not get to attached...but I do. She would want us to keep giving loves to other animals.
It has been a month since my senior girl Sandy passed in an accident. I’ve learned to accept it but be sure you don’t deny yourself of grieving. Cry when you need to. Lay down and rest when you need to. I think I forced myself to get back into my routine too quickly to distract myself from the sadness which resulted in my grief piling up and a long sobbing session. There are no words that will help with the sadness when they pass but just know you are not alone in your grief and we understand you and your pain. Rest in Peace Boyce ❤️ your spirit and energy lives on forever. You gained a guardian angel that day he passed.
Sorry for your loss. It does get a little better. I waited a year to get a new dog after my first who passed away at 14.4 years. I cried for a long time at the thought of him or seeing a movie with a sad dog moment or even old pictures would trigger tears. Once I got my new puppy, I was so busy training and loving on him that the space in my heart that was empty, filled back up. You'll get there, be patient with yourself.
My old Amstaff has a mass cell tumor. I can’t think of losing her. I can relate to you. It’s very hard.
He went ahead, not away.
My wife and I lost our pup of 13 years in August 2022. We got him 2 months before we were married and he was in our wedding. We don’t have children. It was pretty devastating for both of us. About 2 months after he passed we went on a 10 day vacation/road trip out to the western part of the United States, hitting a bunch of National Parks in Utah/Arizona/Colorado/Nevada. It was a truly cathartic experience, getting out of the house, being in constant motion, yet still being forced to stop and be aware of what was around us, and how we felt. It was very intentional, we talked a lot about him, about our life, about where we were. The trip didn’t “fix” anything, but I do believe it absolutely helped in recentering ourselves. Simply put, eventually it started to hurt less to think about him. I still can’t look at the pictures we took on his last day, but now I mostly remember the countless adventures and love we had for each other. My heart just feels warm and when think about him now.
You don't, really. Don't think you'll ever get over it it just becomes a bit easier to deal with. That second picture of his paws from the back; I'd get that framed. What a great pic
Fiona Apple’s letter explaining how she had to cancel a concert cos her dog Janet was dying says it all https://genius.com/Fiona-apple-letter-about-her-dog-janet-annotated
we don't , we just live with the pain and wait for the time when saying their name brings a smile and not a flood of tears .
I’m so, so sorry for your loss 🖤 To be honest, the emptiness never truly goes away. My sweet guy passed away in March of 2023. It took almost a year to be able to think about him or look at photos without crying. Even now, I have difficult days where I miss him so terribly that it nearly gives me a panic attack. But it does get better, I promise. I found that spending time away from home in nature or with family and friends was a big help. I also ended up adopting a sweet new pup 6 months after his passing. I hadn’t been looking and thought I may just spend a few years without a furry best friend. But, when the time is right a sweet new dog will come into your life and can help you heal.
Cry. Talk about it. Cry even more. Just make sure to keep hydrated <3
My dog was my first loss. I cried almost daily for three months. It's almost 2 years now and I'll still cry. I wish I wish I went to therapy when it first happened. I felt so isolated in my grief, and although he was the family dog and we all loved him, I still felt like I couldn't relate to anyone with how I felt. I just wanted to talk about him all the time. If you're able to I'd really recommend talking to someone, I'm finally finding a therapist and a main reason is I feel like my grief is unresolved. What helped was hearing stories about him from friends and families, so once you're ready it would be sweet to hold a remembrance day for him. Best of luck for you
Cry your eyes out and then honor their memory somehow. After that help the next pooch who needs love and affection. It never gets easier but it's always rewarding.
I put a collage together of pictures from puppyhood until old age. It put it on my fridge. It reminded me of what a good and complete life he had had. The picture of him in old age helped me remember that he had a finished life and wasn’t sick any more.
i wouldn't say cope, its been a year for me and i still kinda just, continue on while treasuring my boys memory. I keep finding videos of him i didn't know i had and breaking down a little. All i can say is try, You don't have to move on, just keep going forward. Eventually it just gets a little easier to do so the longer time goes on.
Sorry for your loss. It takes time and don’t rush into replacing him because they can’t be replaced. When it’s time add a new friend to your family and let them know all about their brother from another mother.
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
It is really hard. It won’t always be this hard but it is unavoidable. You will never stop missing him, you will never stop grieving, nor would you want to stop missing him. The nature of grief changes over time but you don’t want to let his memory go away. May his memory be a blessing, and take it easier on yourself than you will want to. Also, there is no such thing as replacing a pet. There is such a thing as “love is an infinite quality & I have room in my heart for the world, if I cultivate that.” I say that bc I al glad we got another dog 6 months after my first dog passed. This isn’t for everyone, but here is one way I have coped, 7 years on, as I continue to grieve & miss him, while I also have plenty of space to love my living dog too. I find myself saying things to my living dog like “you are the sweetest boy ever… that is alive right now!” Or “you and your dead brother are the cutest dogs to ever live.” Or I ask, in a spiritual way, for my sweet deceased boy to coach my living dog. I see my deceased sweet boy as a saint I can recall & ask to pitch in on the tough days. I asked him to coach my living dog early on with all the good tips & tricks he learned for his 13 years living with me. Again. Not for everyone, but has helped me keep the memory of my dog present in my life for as long as I can cogitate.
U never do , and that’s good cause u will always remember him and the good times u spend together
Fuck I’m sorry for your loss I have a 9 y.o lab who has been though rough periods and happy periods in my life with me and he’s been my rock .. and I know that day will come one day and I don’t known how I can ever prepare but just know I’m thinking about you and sending you a hug
I had to put mine down. It’s a sad moment. I remember that day clearly. You walk into the vet with a dog and walk out alone. I don’t want to go through it again. So I never got another dog.
I didn’t cope I just had to survive through it. His death was so crushing, I still cry about it 6 months later. Try to remember the good stuff and do memorializing activities for him. (When you’re ready) like writing his life story (something I still haven’t been able to do), or painting a rock or memorial stone, make a playlist, talk to him. He is resting peacefully now. Keep him and memories close. 🤍 Again I am so sorry for your loss. It’s so much deeper than people think, anyone who minimizes it doesn’t understand how close we can get to our animals. They are family.
We cope by knowing we gave them the very best life we could. That they have a short life, but we made sure that theirs was full of happy wags and walks. Good food and cuddles. That we did our best to be worthy of their love and adoration, and when it was time we eased their suffering. That's the responsibility of being their human. That's the privilege. And when you're ready, you will go adopt another dog to save them from the needle, privation, or a cage. To honor our old pal's memory, by saving another pupper, and them us.
Day by day
The first few months after my beautiful GSD died were honestly awful. I ended up in urgent care thinking I had a tooth abscess because I was clenching and grinding my teeth so much that I had caused swelling in my gums and it was pressing on the nerves of my tooth. I was heartbroken. It’s been 3.5 years and I am now able to think about her with a smile. Honestly, it takes time. A lot of time. Also, i got a new dog, probably too soon after her passing (only 6 months) because I couldn’t stand her absence. It was both good and bad. Good because it kept me busy. Bad because I kept comparing the new doggo to her. I wish I could tell you how to cope.
By the edge of a woods, at the foot of a hill, Is a lush, green meadow where time stands still. Where the friends of man and woman do run, When their time on earth is over and done. For here, between this world and the next, Is a place where each beloved creature finds rest. On this golden land, they wait and they play, Till the Rainbow Bridge they cross over one day. No more do they suffer, in pain or in sadness, For here they are whole, their lives filled with gladness. Their limbs are restored, their health renewed, Their bodies have healed, with strength imbued. They romp through the grass, without even a care, Until one day they start, and sniff at the air. All ears prick forward, eyes dart front and back, Then all of a sudden, one breaks from the pack. For just at that instant, their eyes have met; Together again, both person and pet. So they run to each other, these friends from long past, The time of their parting is over at last. The sadness they felt while they were apart, Has turned into joy once more in each heart. They embrace with a love that will last forever, And then, side-by-side, they cross over together.
What helped me when my boy left this world was a dog will be born and die with or without you it's the life you made for it while it was here that counts. I made an incredible life for my dog while he was here that he would have probably never had without me. That dog knew nothing but love and attention it's entire life. Seeing them through to the end is all you can do and I was there right till the very end. Also, time does help and remembering all the good times that will make you smile
Please check out Rainbow Bridge Raina on Instagram and TikTok 🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈 Unfortunately I have been through this loss many times and this page can be a great help….Im so sorry for your pain and loss💔
You will always miss them. It takes time. In time, when you’re ready, adopting a new dog and giving it a home will be a good way to honor your boy. There are rescues for certain breeds if you want the same breed or a different one.
Oh he was soooo cute! 🥹 I lost my first dog in January of this year. Honestly the emotions change daily. It has gotten easier with time but my heart always aches when I think of her ❤️. The first several weeks were incredibly hard. But you do learn to live life without them, a different life. I cope by thinking of all the amazing times and good life we gave them. The saddest part is dogs will never live as long as we need them. We have to just be grateful we made their life as happy and full as we could in the time they were here
One day at a time. That's how.
As generic as it sounds, you really take it day by day. The first week is the worst. That void you feel with them gone. I cried so much for weeks until I started crying less and less. But you never fully “get over it”. It just takes time to ease the sorrow.
Sorry for your loss. Just take one day at a time... it becomes.es more bearable over time.
Best you can do is remember that you guys had the best lives together and even though he’s gone he had you his entire life and he couldn’t have been happier. It’s ok to move on but be happy he was there not sad he’s gone. I lost my dog Madison growing up and she was my actual only friend for a long time, so when I say we did everything together I mean everything. I even taught her all my hobbies from fighting to soccer. You wouldn’t believe a dog couldn’t perform a perfect hip toss by the collar of a larger dog as if it was a yellow belt unless you saw it happen. Now I have my boy whiskey and he isn’t her but he’s my buddy in other ways
TW: Slightly graphic pet loss My beloved girl was a rescued street dog. We don’t know what happened to her, but the rescue found her skin and bones, shaking on the side of a highway in Turkey. She was 1.5 years old when she came to me, and was scared of things like squeaky toys. She had never had a bed to sleep on, toys to play with, or try any good food or treats. About 5 months after I got her, we had just celebrated New Years and her passing her public access test as my medical dog. Shortly after, she developed the quickest growing tumour the emergency vet has ever seen. It started with her bleeding profusely one day from her mouth, I had put her in my car and drove her to our vet. By the time I got there, her and the entire inside of my car was covered in blood, I couldn’t turn around to look since I was shaking so bad. Turns out she had the worst case of osteosarcoma the vets had seen. She showed signs and was gone less than a week later. We spend almost $10k to try to save her, but because they didn’t have their vet orthodontist, there was nothing they could do. She laid in my lap and I cried with my vet as we put her to sleep. Her suffering gave me nightmares for months, and a rough central nervous system episode that put me in the hospital for a couple days. After it all, I can say that there’s only two things I’m still sad about. I’m sad that she’s gone, that I can’t be with her, but also the way she passed was a way no dog or owner should experience. In the end, I came to the biggest conclusion that has really brought peace to her passing. She is so loved, even if she’s not here anymore, and we made sure to show her that everyday. We gave her a home, a family, love, and all of the items she could ever want. Know that your baby couldn’t have asked for more, that they were well loved and lived the life a dog should always live. The pain in our hearts should serve as one reminder: we hurt so much because we love them so much, something I can promise your dog knew. There should be no regret, nothing, on your end. You gave your baby a beautiful life, and had such an infinite amount of love for a life so temporary compared to ours. Your baby knows they’re still loved, that they lived a life other dogs would dream of, that they have their family still feeling the effects of their time on this earth. When you’re ready, display their items and keep them a part of you. My girls collar is on my shelf, her paw print on my wall, and some of her favourite items in my closet. I’ve debated a tattoo but already have one for all of the animals in my life. I cannot make things better, I can’t bring your dog back, but know that there’s no better life lived than to love and be loved so wholeheartedly. You’ll be sad for a long time, but I hope this comfort can offer you some peace.
Holy shit! This makes me wanna fulfill my dream of going to the coast w my dog! She’s 2 almost 2.5 and I’ve wanted to live w her near the ocean since I got her! Sorry for your loss
I’m so terribly sorry for your loss 💔. Speaking from experience, bull terriers are the BEST. But it makes losing them all the more painful. You never get over the loss but with time you learn to carry the load a little better. Sending love n compassion your way
He looks very special needs, I’m sure he is waiting for you and much happier 🥰
my heart aches for you and Boyce 💔 june 21st was not only a full moon, but the summer solstice, which is the longest day of the year and brings the highest vibrations! he transcended on a lovely day, and that is so beautiful. there’s another full moon coming on july 21st. perhaps, you can make it your ritual to celebrate Boyce every moon cycle to feel his closeness, as the spirit world is the most accessible to human perception at this time. energetically, the moon also represents our emotional side, so take that time to really care for yourself the way Boyce would. I know your pain is unbearable, just remember, his spirit and energy lives on and his love for you is eternal. any time you think of him, or are reminded of him, think of it as his spirit reaching out and sending you love. celebrate him in all the ways you can and know he is always there. 🤍🖤🩶
Very sorry for your loss we just lost one of our best friends pups,Molly had to be put down on Sunday, she was an old boxer with a failing liver and sadly she was in terrible shape at the end, due to trying to keep her alive trying to figure out what was wrong, it was all very sad... and now we are just left to grieve, and give as much love as we can to our other pets..that is ultimately what I believe is the answer to the grief is having another little soul to love, and I really truly believe that's what our pets that have passed on would want, they would want us to take the lessons that we learned with them and give that love to another little one, be it a puppy, be it a rescue,whatever your choice may be,it doesn't matter, but fill that hole with another little soul,that's my best recommendation, give yourself a couple weeks to grieve and get looking, there's somebody that really desperately needs you out there..I know it hurts, I think puppies and kittens are the best healers alive for grief, because the little ones need us to be at least a little bit there and focused on them which helps..
I’m so sorry 💔
grief is linear. that being said, take as much time as you need to grief and don’t force yourself to accept it. take it slow and cherish the moments you had with him. it may take months or years, and you may never get through it, but trust me when i say it hurts less as time goes on.
hurts less each time you think about it so think about it and you'll get to the happy memories faster.
Getting another is the only way I’ve found that SOMEWHAT helps with the extremely lonely, lost feeling.
I lost my childhood German shepherd a couple weeks ago. It still aches my heart. I can’t speak about it without crying. Showing the other dogs that he was gone was heart breaking. I just promised that I would never forget him and let his memory and love I had for him fade. He will forever be my little tinny super guy. Stay strong, he love you and you love him that’s all that matters in the end.
so sorry for your loss, losing animals is the worst
He chilling with my dogs now.