how do you cope with the grief of your dog being put down?

Question

im 12 yrs old

Answer 1

May I go now
Don't you think the time is right?
May I say good-bye to pain-filled days
and endless lonely nights?
I've lived my life and done my best,
an example tried to be,
So can I take that step beyond
and set my spirit free?
I didn't want to go at first.
I fought with all my might!
But something seems to draw me now
to a warm and loving light.
I want to go! I really do!
It's difficult to stay.
But I will try as best I can
to live just one more day .
To give you time to care for me
and share your love and fears.
I know you're sad and are afraid
because I see your tears.
I'll not be far, I promise that,
and hope you'll always know
that my spirit will be close to you
wherever you may go.
Thank you so for loving me.
You know I loved you too.
That's why it's hard to say good-bye
and end this life with you.
So hold me now, just one more time,
and let me hear you say,
because you care so much for me,
you'll let me go today.


Copyright © Susan A. Jackson
Written for a beloved pet and friend.

Answer 2

There is no such thing as being able to 'cope' with the grief of the loss of a beloved pet. Grief does affect people in different ways, which means some people become more upset than others. But I believe that the grief is there to enable us to remember all the times we shared we our pet. Our pet may be gone, but the memories will accompany us for the rest of our lives. I also believe that we all we be reunited with our pets once it is our time to leave this world. The grief right now hurts real bad, and in time, the pain will ease but you will always miss your pet. I know from several experiences that time is a great healer, but all you can do right now is to treasure those memories which are so dear to you. Perhaps put your grief to creative use by creating a photo montage of your pet.

My dog has a terminal illness, and each day I watch her getting worse. I know there is no cure and the end result will be taking her to the vets one last time. It is difficult just to hold off the future grief that I sometimes feel, but I just try and value each moment she is with me.

Here is a poem which always brings me to tears, it is called "If I Should Grow Frail":-

If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain does keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done
For this - the last battle - can't be won.

You will be sad I understand
But don't let grief then stay your hand.
For on this day, more than the rest
Your love and friendship must stand the test.

We have had so many happy years,
You wouldn't want me to suffer so.
When the time comes, please, let me go.

Take me to where my needs they'll tend,
Only, stay with me till the end.
And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.

I know in time you will agree
It is a kindness you do to me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.

Don't grieve that it must now be you
Who has to decide this thing to do.
We've been so close - we two -these years,
Don't let your heart hold any tears.

Answer 3

Everyone copes differently. For myself, I found it helpful to put together an album with all his pictures and remember all the good times in his life, talk to people about how wonderful he was, and cry buckets. I also buried my dog in the garden here and planned to make his grave nice. I ordered a special rose bush online called 'forever young' as he was only 5, and planted it on his grave and made it look nice.It was like I was doing it for him. Then lastly, time will heal. It is 6 months since I lost my best boy and I still have a cry over him, but I remember that his life was the happiest that any dog's life could be and I know he knew that I loved him. I think about all the poor abused dogs in the world who never had a tenth of what he had and I believe that all the pain I am suffering now, I suffer gladly because the pain is the cost of a great love and not to feel pain at this time, would mean that I had also never felt love. I would never want to swap the pain for not having known him, if you understand what I mean. I am glad he was in my life, I will never forget him, but the cost of a great love, is great pain when they die.
I hope this has helped in some way.

Answer 4

Im 15yrs old, and i had to go through the same thing about 3-4 weeks ago. We had a little chihuahua called Phoebe, and she had gotten something called Hydrocephalus (pressure on the brain). She was only 4 1/2 months old when we were informed it was best to put her to sleep. We knew it was coming, because we watched her deteriorate. She wouldnt eat, drink, wee, poo or even walk. She just wanted to sit still, or sleep. It was awful because there was nothing we could do to take the pain away, so eventually, we took her to the vet and he said it was the best thing. I was in such a state that i didnt want to be there as they injected her, so i went out the room and in the car with my dad, as my mum stayed behind and held her in her last moments. It was a relief to know she wasnt in any pain, and i do believe that there is a place where dogs go after they have passed away, just like there is for humans. Stay strong. Trust me, it gets easier as time goes by. It was hard to deal with for the first week of her death, but now, were all ok with it. And have got her ashes in the livingroom. Take care xxx

Answer 5

A friend sent me this when I lost my dog a few years ago and it really helped. remember the good times with your dog and don't be afraid to cry. Thinking of you.

WHY DOGS DON'T LIVE LONGER
Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year old Irish Wolfhound named Belker.
The dog's owners; Ron, his wife Lisa and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker and they were hoping for a miracle. I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family there was no more miracles left for Belker and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.
As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for the four-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt Shane could learn something from the experience.
The next day I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away. The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion.
We sat together for a while after Belker's death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives.

Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, "I know why."
Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me - I'd never heard a more comforting explanation:
He said, "Everybody is born so that they can learn how to live a good life... like loving everybody and being nice, right?"
The four-year-old continued, "Well, animals already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long."

Answer 6

It`s never easy dealing with a part of your life that for whatever reason has to go,Think of the good times & the times she/he got told off for muddy paws everywhere & while you have the photos of times past just think maybe it was a kindness that you as a young person has to cope with & your experience will put you in a better position if your friends have to go through the same situation `cos you will understand the pain & when you are ready look for another pet.No one can take your memories away from you OK?

Answer 7

i am sorry about the loss of your dog, sadly as an owner and a vet i know its not something that gets any easier. Please don't rush into getting another dog when the time is right it is right, i am not sure where you are, but in the uk thethere is an organisation called blue cross which do a berevment counselling service where you can talk to a trained counsellor as it is a traumatic exerience to lose a beloved pet.
the e.mail address is

http://www.bluecross.org.uk/web/site/Memorial/MemorialIntro.asp

i have put this web page on as well as you may get comfort from the poems, if it should be i think is a particularly nice one that helped when i lost my best friend a golden labrador i had for 16 years

http://www.communigate.co.uk/ne/catcare/page35.phtml

good luck and please just remember there are no rules to how you should feel or how long to grieve just don't bottle it up

Answer 8

Its really tough honey, i have lost two of my dogs and my horse this year, two were through natural causes, but the toughest one was my old boy crackerjack - he was 14 years old and i had him from a pup, i had to make the decision to have him put to sleep after he bit me on the leg. He was perfectly healthy physicaly but had just lost his mind a little i think. It was SO hard to make that decision and i still cry when i think about him, but it wouldnt have been fair on him to let him live knowing that he might bite somebody else or one of my other dogs and risk retalliation. He would have had no quality of life not being able to play or be close to people.
I often think of him, and just have to be happy that he is in a better place where there is no pain or anger. I picture him running on the beach with my other dog Madison, she was his best friend in the world and i am sure she was waiting for him when he got to heaven.
Keep your chin up sweetheart and try to think of your dog doing nice things in a better place.

Answer 9

Oh sweetheart Im sorry to hear this. My dog was put down 5 years ago and I STILL think of him! Just remember s/hes in a better, pain free place now. Remember all the fun times you had when s/he was alive. Sending you HUGE hugs. Oh, and dont get a new one straight way, thatll just be like replacing him / her. Give it some time and maybe sometime in the future youll want another one. Take care Honey xx

Answer 10

I am very sorry about that. I have never had my dog put down, but I have had dogs, and I was so sad when they died. They died because they were old or very ill, and i knew I was loosing them, still very very sad. Some people just don't understand but your pets are like members of your family. I was told that my dogs would not suffer any more when they were gone, so I should not feel too sad, because they were free from pain.
As long as you remember them, they are alive in your heart. All those animals I lived with are with me in my heart, and i still think about them time to time. And when I live with another animal again, I will love the animal as much as I can to give it a good time while it's alive with me. Because that's all I can do.
If you have loved your dog very much, which I believe you have, I am sure that your dog was happy with you. You should be proud of yourself. Your dog had to go now sadly, and the dog must have been sad to leave you too, but it's going with good memories you gave. Don't be too sad, remember you made your dog happy.

Answer 11

Oh sweetheart, my heart goes out to you.
I've got tears in my eyes as i type this, i had to have my beloved Great Dane put to sleep 3 years ago, and the pain is still there, he was a very poorly dog, we tried all we could to keep him alive but in the end we had to do what was right for him. We had 3 fanatastic years with him, he really was a big loveable idiot, you have to hang onto the memories, he'll always be in your heart.
We had Mars cremated and i have his ashes in a beautiful oak casket under the table next to a radiator (that was his favourite place to sleep).
Keep smiling thru the pain, it will ease in time, hang onto the lovely memories you have, and know that you have done the right thing for your dog, you wouldn't want him to suffer anymore.
Crofty x