My Dad was so bummed today because of having to put his best dog to sleep yesterday. It was very unexpected. My Dad is almost seventy now and that was his companion, his buddy, his pal. I didn't realize what an impact that would have on him.. Just looking for some good ideas that would cheer him up even just a little.
2006-08-07 15:49:07 · 57 answers · asked by xxx 4 in Pets ➔ Dogs
hi i lost my dog yesterday, so i know exactly how he feels, i wouldnt replace his dog with a puppy, i dont think i could cope with that, he just needs to greive, as i am, its a process that he needs to go through, i am sure that in time, he will start to feel better...just be there for him, support him and listen to him...that is what i am getting from my family and it does help..good luck and sorry about your dads dog..
2006-08-07 19:55:11 · answer #1 · answered by Doodles 3 · 7⤊ 1⤋
Sorry to hear about your father's loss. I cannot believe the insensitivity of certain people in here.
I would wait on the puppy thing. Let him have a chance to grieve.
First of all, I would NOT get him a puppy. Getting him an older dog (say 2 yrs old) would be a lot easier on a seventy year old man. The shelter is loaded with those dogs looking for homes. There is NOTHING wrong with them either. They are forever grateful for your "rescuing" them. Do not get one that looks like the past dog. It is NOT a replacement. He will only compare the two.
2006-08-07 15:57:54 · answer #2 · answered by GiddyGiddyGoin 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He might appreciate an online memorial for his dog, that's what I did for my dog. We also had a funeral for our dog with prayers and everything. Maybe that will give him closure, just like when you lose a person. It might also help if you made him a scrapbook about the dog with his favorite pictures of the dog in it. I know the dog is going to be on his mind anyway, it might be therapeutic for him to remember the fun times he had with the dog. I felt the same way about my dog, I had her since I was 18 and had to put her down. She was there with me through all the hard times, through a major surgery I had, through the birth of my son, through the loss of my father. It is heartbreaking and they are definitely members of the family. I would treat it like he lost a member of the family, because that is basically what happened. That's the bad thing about dogs, we get really attached to them but they don't live nearly long enough. I hope he finds comfort and peace in his memories. I'm not sure what your religion is but here is an example of a "funeral" for a pet:
http://www.kingofpeace.org/resources/petfuneralliturgy.htm
Even if you can't bury the dog you could still have a memorial for him/her.
I would like to add that it is a nice idea to buy a new friend for your father to comfort him but I tried that myself and it only made me miss my dog more, because the new dog wasn't at all like my dog. I think he needs time to grieve before thinking about getting a new companion. Good luck!
2006-08-07 15:57:27 · answer #3 · answered by dmc81076 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get him a new one. Some studies show it makes the pain go away a lot faster when one companion is replaced with a new one. Although some sources say it is not a good idea to get one immediately after as it is important to let the grieving process complete.
Here's a website about grieving the loss of a pet and how long to wait before looking for a new one.
http://www.selfhealingexpressions.com/pet_loss_grief_help.shtml
2006-08-07 15:51:30 · answer #4 · answered by www.ayntk.blogspot.com 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am really sorry to hear that your Dad had to put his Dog to sleep. I know how that feels like because I have a cat of my own and if anything happens to my cat I would be really upset.. Anyways.. It is going to take him some time to get over the death of his beloved Dog. You can help your Dad by spending more time with him. At this time, that is the best thing to do for him.
2006-08-07 15:57:26 · answer #5 · answered by Dont Ask 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sorry to hear about your dads loss of his best friend his dog. what you could do is tell your dad you know how he feels and Ask him if he would like you to get him a new dog, tell him that you know it wouldnt be the same as the one he lost but that you hate seeing him so upset and you want to do something to help cheer him up . if he wants a new dog take him with you a a dog shelter and let him pick one out .GOOD LUCK
2006-08-07 16:05:46 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sorry to hear about his lost friend. But maybe adopting a shelter dog could cheer him up. Explain that he would be saving a life...He would understand.
I have a 12y/o mastiff & my 82y/o Uncle is his best friend, I don't know what he would do if he lost that dog. He cries sometimes when the dog gets hurt because the dog has bad legs....Anyway good luck with your farther.
2006-08-07 15:57:34 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do not get him a puppy. He isn't a little kid and doesn't want a replacement dog. He misses the relationship he had with his dog.
Spent time with your father. That's what he would like the most. Maybe go on a walk with him or do something nice together.
Ask him what he would like to do this weekend. Having something to look forward to is always nice.
2006-08-07 15:52:00 · answer #8 · answered by Plasmapuppy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I just adopted one of my rescue dogs out to a lovely older widower. He had lost his wife just a month before and his beloved standard poodle the month before his wife. He was not interested in a puppy because they just take to much work for this older person but he was very happy to adopt an older female dog who had all the basics down. But before you do anything for your dad make sure you talk to him and make sure that he wants the responsibility of another dog and if he's interested in another dog make sure you know if he wants the same breed again and whether a pup or an older pure breed rescue.
2006-08-07 16:03:52 · answer #9 · answered by greeneyedladysexylady 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How about taking him out to do something he likes AFTER he has had time to mourn after his companion....and maybe later talk about adopting a dog from the pound...a puppy would cause too much problems for you dad right now at his age....best of luck!!
2006-08-07 15:54:53 · answer #10 · answered by Sol 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
loosing a cherished pet is almost like loosing a child.
none can replace the pet but he can come to love another one in a different way.
spend some time with dad and just talk. let him talk about whatever he wants to talk about. sit on the porch and drink some tea and just spend time with him.
you might look at getting him another pet. im sure his dog followed him around and was a constant companion for him. i know that mine is.
2006-08-07 15:53:10 · answer #11 · answered by lodeemae 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋