How do you cope with your dog dying?

Question

Some people might know about my other question about my dog acting strange and the other dog attacking her and stuff.........Well I sent her to a vet and they couldn't find anything wrong with her, all they could conclude was that she couldn't feel where her front legs were.They sent her to proffessional doctors at the UOM (i live in minnesota) And they concluded she was pretty much gonna dye a slow and eventually painful and that there was know way to save her because her condition was gradually getting worse she ended not being able to move her neck or back legs.So the doctor told us the most humane thing to do is put her down. I did and was holding as they injected her and I can't help myself I don't know how to deal with this........

Answer 1

I am so sorry to hear about your beloved dog. First off, don't try to forget her, try to make it so you can remember her when she was healthy, and in good shape. Make a plaque to hang on the wall and add some pictures of her in. Make a copy of the Rainbow Bridge and put that on there. Just remember that you did what was best for your dog, and she is not suffering or in any pain now. You would not have wanted to see her suffer. It is hard to loose a pet, and even harder when you are holding them in the end. Just be thankful that you got to spend the very last second with her, and she knew that you were there and loved her. Remember her with love and remember it is okay to just sit down and cry your eyes out. It will get easier as time passes and you will know that you did the right thing... Bless you and again I am sorry

Answer 2

It sucks to lose a pet, but you did the right thing. Just take solace in the fact that you gave her a good life. Now I'm going to tell you something that you probably won't like. You should get a new dog. Most dogs, when raised right, are very loving and loyal and have the same traits that people come to love. I'm not saying that your dog wasn't special, but another dog could give you a wonderful friendship as well. It will be different but it still will be very good. There is something about dogs that makes them wonderful pets when in the right hands. I once read that when the earth was dividing people from animals, dogs leapt over the opening rift to the side of the human race.
I hope you deal okay with the loss of your dog. Cry as much as you need, but don't let it get in the way of your life.

Answer 3

As with the loss of any loved one, it's difficult & takes time to get back to feeling OK. Nobody really knows how to deal with it, even when they've been through it already. You always did the best for your dog & at the end when she was dying & there was nothing you could do to help her get better, you were there with her. Go ahead & cry, mourn and feel bad because you're going to anyway. You never fully get over the death of a loved one, but time does heal wounds to some extent & lessens the pain.
When you're ready, get another dog -not to replace her (as you can never do that), but to enjoy the company of another dog who will become part of your family & who you will come to love in a slightly different way. We lost our 1st dog 5 years ago to cancer of the spinal column (she died in the car on the way to the vet to be put down -guess she knew it was the time). We'll never forget her or get over her, but we now have 2 other dogs that we love dearly.
Hope this helps at least a little.

Answer 4

You poor thing. Losing a dog is like losing anyone you love--it takes time and patience deal with it, and lots of tears for many of us. You loved her, took care of her and helped her when she was ill, and did the kindest thing of all by ending her discomfort when it was going to get worse. Know that you did the best you could in terrible circumstances. Now time has to heal things.

It will probably be some time before you are ready for another dog. But, it is so lonely when you lose a dog suddenly--you may want to try volunteering to exercise dogs at your local humane society or SPCA. No dog will ever take the place of the one you lost, but there are lots of lonely dogs out there that could be a comfort, and would love the comfort you could provide. Hang in there.

Answer 5

You are not the only person that has ever felt this way. You did the right thing by being there with her in the end. I have gone thru this many times, most recently about a-year-and-a-half ago with my German Shepherd. I was devastated and had to take the day off work. My solution was to go right out and buy another puppy. I felt guilty at first, but having a new one gave us another focus. I still miss the other one, but have lots of love for this one. Good luck.

Answer 6

Please know that you did the right thing. Yours was a true act of kindness. Understandably, you are hurting ....Big time....right now. You are going through a grieving process. I suggest you find a grief counsellor to help you get through this. It is obvious that you love dogs, so someday, you might get another one. You will know when the time is right to do that. Just don't compare your new dog with the one you had to put down. It wouldn't be fair.

I think you invented the phrase "Lucky Dog" because you sure had the courage to make the difficult decision, and minimize her suffering.

Answer 7

I feel you dear, a couple of months ago, I had to put my best friend down. Harley, a full blooded female Rottweiller had been with me for over 3 1/2 yrs (she was 4 yrs). Her symptoms were held off by her own will and by the time I noticed anything, it was too late. I held her as the vet administered the shot, I whispered to her to go into the light, the same thing I told my father when he died in my arms.
I hurts, it hurts like hell, I know that one day there will be another guardian who I become attached to, until that day, Rest In Peace dear Harley.
If you are anything like me and see these animals as more than just pets, I took her death to heart and grieved hard for her. I dug her hole by myself and my boyfriend and his son laid her to rest for me. I made a ritual out of her burial and I made a shrine at her burial place in my yard. I found a couple places here on the web that allowed me to post pictures of her, this was good therapy.
I thought about Harley the other night and wished for one more chance to kiss her on her cold nose and wrap my arms around her. Yeah it still hurts, and yeah I still cry. I miss her so much.
My prayers are with you!

www.inmemoryofpets.com

www.pawstoheaven.com

Answer 8

This is extremely painful - I know - but thinking of the "breath" of life as being what continues and knowing that your dog's breath passed into a puppy as it dies makes it somehow easier to cope with. I would suggest going to a shelter and looking into the eyes of the dogs there until you find the "look" that you are familiar with from your dog that passed. Then adopt that dog or puppy and love the dickens outta them - it helps it really does. Peace my friend.

Answer 9

Theres no real way to just get over it, you are emotionally attached even though at times like this you might now want to be. The best way is to just do what makes you happy and celebrate your dogs life not mourn her death. Time heals all wounds, consider buying another dog, though it will not replace your dog but it might help you forget about it.

Answer 10

Just think that she's going to a better place, god sees inocsence for all creatures. Don't cry over something that can't be turned around. Crying or mourning over the loss over something is like trying to move a mountain thats in your way, you can't do anything about it. Sometimes you just need to move on.