how do i deal with the unexpected death of my dog?

Question

my german shepherd Zeev passed away unexpectedly last august, but i still can't seem to get over it or even begin dealing with it. he really was the world's best dog and i still can't think about him without bursting into tears. he was a great guard dog and he protected us for 7 years, but he was the sweetest 115 pounds of dog there ever was with his family. i've done the picture collage thing, the writing thing, the "think of the good times" thing, the new dog thing......i just can't seem to grasp what happened and how quick it was. and now whenever i visit my parents (where he was living-he was too big for my apartment) i just get so sad and it almost ruins my trip everytime.

does anyone have any suggestions? what did you do? did it help? should i get another german shepherd? how do i start to get closure?

thanks!

go look at him on www.myspace.com/dozier311 under my pictures. aww.......

Answer 1

(((((((((((((((((HUGGZ))))))))))))))))))) we lost both of our dogs 2 years ago 3 months apart as we don't have children they were ours. I have days that am ok then I'll see a dog that looked like them and cry. It was absolutely the hardest thing we ever did. Both were sick and we had to put them down.
It's truely one day at a time. Some peeps don't understand and things well their just animals but to us they were so much more.
It varies with different people a friend of mine lost her dog and Imm. went out got another. For my hubby and I we're still not ready. Maybe some day. Do what's best for u and talk to others that have lost pets don't be afraid to cry but if u do get another dog plz don't compare the two cause none is alike.
will be praying for u I know how u feel

Answer 2

I lost my 12 year old chihuahua this past February. It was emotionally devastating to me and my family. The hardest part was seeing her die. I know exactly how you feel...and its not so easy to just pick up the pieces and pretend like everything will be ok. Its been five months now since Tiny has passed, but I still find it hard especially when I come home and wait for her to come to the door...only she never comes. What has helped me though- is Lacey. I bought Lacey a few months ago (she is also a chihuahua). Lacey is now the reason I have to quit grieving and move on. I will never forget about Tiny, but I know she would want me to be happy. I see you have listed all the things you have tried, and I know that nothing I will say to you will make the pain go away- but hopefully in time, you will also find a way to cope with the loss of Zeev. I'll be thinking of you :). Good Luck

Answer 3

The loss of a trusted and beloved pet can be devistating. I had a wonderful Lab-Husky cross for 17 years, along with a tabby cat and both of them passed away within a month of each other. I think that closure is much overused. Anytime a human being losses a pet, who they feel has been a family member; to death it is very difficult. I did not begin adopting other pets for about a year after their deaths. I love my new animal "family," but as with all living creatures that we love, animal or human, each love for each animal is different. I still have times when I miss my original pets, especially when I look at pictures, or go to places that were special to all of us. I believe that it will get easier with time, it has for me. You have to remember that your "new" pets are not to replace your deceased dog, but are to add new joy and love to your life. I do not know your age, but if this is your first experience with death, or the death of a being you were/are close to; this may be a lot of the reason for your heart to hurting in the raw fashion that you're feeling right now. It will get better, talk to your other family members and your friends who knew Zeev, and when you realize that he touched all of their lives also, you may be able to think about all the good he did while he was part of your family here on Earth. Best of luck and God bless. Animals are some of Gods' sweetest angels...

Answer 4

Just think about what a happy life you gave her! Lucky dog! I often think about the day one of mine go (2 are 7yrs and 1 is 5yrs) and that's the only thing I can think of that would make me feel better. So many dogs have awful awful lives and have to die never knowing a loving family. Some live to be 16 some die at 3 but know this, you gave a great life to someone who might not have had one, in this life, that's all we can really do and all we can really hope someone will do for us.

Answer 5

What a lovely dog he must have been!
Perhaps you could channel some of your love for Zeev to a few unlucky dogs in animal shelters, which would really appreciate being taken for walks. I used to do this, and always felt glad that the dogs were getting out from their enclosures for a while.

Answer 6

hey

i relate to you my dog laidy was almost 15 years old when she died two montes agi, with us it was some what different we put her down since she was greatly ill but the pain of the lost is the same.

it hurts they are our babies i grow up with mine i am 20 years she found us when i was 5 and she was still a puppy.

me and my family found some what of relife by getting another pet. instead of getting a dog we adopted a stray cat which i was foster home to at the time she is almost one and i love her alot. the fact that she is a cat and not a dog helps alot.

i miss laidy all the time, some times i call my cat laidy when her name is lucky.

if your not a cat lover you can always volunter at your local animal shelter or be a foster home to disable helper puppy.
that way you get to have a dog and give something back to the community.

Answer 7

A lot of people get another dog, it sounds like after all of this time another pet may be just the right thing to turn your sorrows into joys again. I'm sorry for your loss.

Answer 8

it sound like Zeev is more like your child then your pet. that is how Freckles is to me. i think your greeving because you were not there. you feel guilty that you couldn't take him with you. just remember, it's not your fault. He was well taken care of. Zeev knows you loved him. 7 years old is very old in dog years. i understand how you feel. Freckles is almost 8 years old and i was told he would only live untill he was 5 yrs old because of his seizures. i know i will greeve for him because he is like my child. but i will always keep him in my heart.

Answer 9

So sorry, I love German Shepards, my aunt used to raise them. They have alot of physical problems and rarely make it past 13. Another pet is the only way to get closure...

Answer 10

I had a cocker spaniel for 18 years and she died... it was one of the saddest moments of my life, it was like losing my very best friend. Its been 4 years, and I'm finally getting a new dog... It takes time, but the pain will go away...