How do you deal with the pain of losing a pet?

Question

This morning our dog passed away, he was 16 and had a long, good life. 2 months ago we lost our dog Boldie who was 13. The pain of losing both of them so close together is almost unbearable. Will the pain every go away? How do you deal with the loss of your pets?

Please don't say get another dog

Answer 1

smile sweety. i work at a pet store, and i care for well over 10 pets in my home. if you love animals your much more at risk for heart break. you must think of your dogs and how happy they must of been being in your care. they spent their whole lives knowing only the love you gave them. that has to give you a good feeling knowing they knew nothing of abuse and neglect and they died happily. all you can do is give your new and future pets the same life of health and happiness. thats all you can do for your past friends. and you'll always have the fond memories, forever.

Answer 2

Ofcourse you're not getting a new dog. Not in the near future. Because no dog will ever replace the ones that you love.

It hurts to lose your pet. And many people who never had a dog will not understand your pain.

Did you keep their favorite toys? Put them on a shelf, next to your other precious memories. And make sure to put their picture there as well.

Trying to forget the pain of losing them, is not going to work. You will never forget them, but that's OK.

Allow yourself to cry over the loss, but remember to smile about all the good memories. Your dogs lived long lives, considering that most dogs only live 12 to 13 years. They must have had a good time, and a healthy live. Always remember that.

Answer 3

I am sorry to hear of your loss and from experience I know the pain. It hurts like crazy and it takes awhile, but allow yourself to grieve as you would for anyone. Dogs have always been a huge part of my life and after loosing several it never gets easier. And you are right getting a new one is NOT the answer. I tried that before and it never worked. I tried to make that new puppy my old dog and it was unfair and pointless. After I lost my dog four years ago I did not get a new one until a year and half ago, I was not ready until then. Allow yourself the time. In the mean time stay busy as possible. I have always been a huge physical fitness person so when I am hurting I tend to get more involved in that. It works to kinda of work through the hurt and it keeps you healthy. I also always memorialized my dogs, it was kinda the final loving gesture and it helped keep their memory alive. I made scrap books for them. It kept me busy and it helped me to remember the good times. Pets are a huge part of your life any TRUE animal lover/parent can tell you that. And it hurts like like loosing any loved one. Best thing I can tell you is allow yourself to cry, keep busy and you will know when its time to allow a new dog in to help fill a void.

Answer 4

Give yourself time to grieve for one. Remember all the good times with your dogs. I have lost many pets in my lifetime. Still remember everyone of them and still grieve to a point. But I tell myself that I gave that animal a good home and it led a good life. Whatever you do..do not run out and try to replace that pet. Let some time go by. Sorry for your loss.

Answer 5

Its hard to lose an animal, no doubt. I lost 2 of my cats and a ferret. It really depends on how willing you are to let yourself grieve. I wasnt so close to the cats but when my ferret passed due to my roommate I just bout lost it. I went out and searched for another ferret, one that didnt look like her whatsoever. I still miss her, even after the few years she's been gone. But, youll almost always miss an animal if you were close to them. Best thing to do is to get another animal, if you allow yourself to grieve too long youll slip into depression, which is probably not what you would have in mind. So, my advice to you would be to look at other animals that are in need of a new beginning like yourself.

Answer 6

Nothing will ease the pain except the passage of time...but it does help to have a lifetime of memories to look back on plus the blessing of an easy and natural crossing over the rainbow bridge.

Our "baby" died in our arms, with a smile on her sweet face, while we were all curled up together under our toasty blankets sleeping late on a cold rainy Sunday. She was almost 19 years old, and she had lived with us since her puppyhood.

We have the cedar box containing her ashes under our pillows -- and when my husband had to go into the hospital, she went too -- sometimes I even tuck her into my tote bag when I am going somewhere that I think she would enjoy.

My heart goes out to y'all, with deepest sympathy.

Answer 7

It takes a lot of time to get over it. I have very fond memories of my dog, which I had for seventeen years. I still have his photo hanging on the wall.
After about six months, I did get another dog as I love their faithful companionship.
Every dog has their own personalty, so the new dog was not a replacement, but another companion.

Answer 8

I am so sorry, time will help. I love animals too. I have lost various pets thru out the years, it hurts. It gets lonly too. My 2 dogs are getting old, I know they won't be around tha much longer. The last time my dog died, I said no more dogs, it hurt too much when they die. Well that lasted about 1 week and we got another puppy. That helped. Good luck.

Answer 9

My Dad once had a favorite black horse on the farm he grew up on one day his horse got severely injured in a bad accident and there was nothing they could do for him the animal was in alot of pain so his father went out back and shot the horse and put him out of his misery it was extremely devastating because my dad loved his horse and he took it hard.

He says death really hurts bad at first but you have to be philosophic about it that nothing lives forever weather it's people or animals as long as you have happy memories of them they will always stay with you in spirit and within the heart.

Answer 10

Unfortunately we will died, pets, humans beings, you have to think that he had a good life, and both share a lot of things, keep that memory for yourself, nobody cant take it away, with the time you will feel better, it doesn't mean that you ever forget him....
good luck¡¡