I have recently lost my German Shepherd Dog, how do I get over the loss?

Question

I am unable to sleep properly, and find the afternoons and evenings empty, when she was alive, I would talk to her constantly like she was a little human being, take her out for walks and play with her.

At the moment having another dog is not an option as we are selling our house, so has anyone out there had a similar experience that could give me advice on what to do now?

Answer 1

I really can't give you advice except it will just take time the loss is great and the pain is great. I know it is an empty void in your life our shepherd mix died almost 2 years ago I still miss her immensely but it isn't as intense as it was the 1st couple months we had had her for 10 years and she got cancer. Dogs and cats are like humans and one thing about them is they love you regardless. since you are selling your house maybe in a few months a small dog or if you like cats would be ok. Go to your local animal shelter to look first maybe your angel doggie will send you a new friend and that would be a good place to look as the babies there really need someone to love and someone to love them God Bless you. here is a poem the vet sent after we lost our shadow baby.

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

Answer 2

It is just the same as when you lose a child or any other person that you love very much. Give yourself time to grieve and try to remember the good times. An elaborate funeral can help, it is probably too late for this but if you have buried your dog somewhere you will continue to have access to make a really nice headstone and put flowers on the grave. I still put flowers on my dog's grave and he died 7 years ago.

Don't let people diss you with crap like 'it is just a dog you can get another'. They know nothing.

If you can afford it grief counselling can really help. I had it when I lost my first cat and it was really beneficial.

Above all don't try to brush off how you feel or trivialise it. Your loss is no less because your dog was not human. Do try your hardest to hang onto anything your dog gave you, eg if he was the first person you loved make sure you keep that ability to love.

If you have some nice pictures of your dog pick the best one and get it enlarged and framed in a really good frame. There will come a time when the hurt has healed, but the joy will remain.

Another thing you could do is some good deeds in his name, eg make a donation to a good charity in his name. All these things don't take away the pain but they provide an outlet for your grief and sense of loss and a little comfort.

And don't be afraid to talk about him with whoever else knew and loved him. If you cry doesn't matter. It is important to acknowledge your grief and not try to sweep it under the rug.

I am so sorry for your loss.

Answer 3

You are decribing how I felt 6 years ago, when I lost my mongrel to cancer.

You never fully get over it, but time does make it easier. I still occasionally shed tears for him, but it's not the overwhelming grief I felt in the first few months.

Try to take heart from the fact you gave your dog a great life (it's obvious from what you've written that you loved her immensely).

Allow yourself to grieve but as far as you can try to continue as normally as possible (easier said than done, I know).

You do right not getting another dog just yet. Even if you weren't grieving, moving house you have enough to deal with right now.

You were a fantastic dog owner and it would be a shame if you weren't again at some point in your life, but give yourself time to grieve and get another dog only when the time is right for you to do so.

It took 5 years for me to get another dog after losing my first - it's different for everyone, maybe you will be ready in less time, maybe more. What I'm saying is there's no rush, and you'd be better waiting a while for things to settle down before making that sort of decision anyway. He's a completely different character to the first dog, but he fills a large part of that dog-shaped 'void'.

I wish you the best.

Answer 4

You know Rob, you sound like you were a great pet owner and you gave this dog the best. I have had many dogs that lived out their lives with me. One, I was really attached to died about 3 years ago. I will never forget her. I sometimes get teary eyed thinking about her. She was a member of the family, a friend and a protector.

I didn't look around for another dog to replace the loss. I knew that replacing Ayla would be impossible. I just had to go through the grieving process and accept that she is gone. I did the best I could by her when she was around. I celebrate the life of her and I am grateful to have known her.

Good Luck and Take Care

Answer 5

I have also experienced the same loss. It is so difficult because they ARE a part of you and your family. You have to grieve for them in the same way that you would any loss of someone you love. In the afternoons, when your feeling so badly, take a walk like you would have with your dog. Think about her and talk to her, tell her how much you miss her. I have many pictures of mine and I talk to him all the time. I will never forget him, but it does get easier. You start to remember all the good things and the fun you had together. You will even remember some things and laugh about them. You also need to talk about her, to a friend or family member, so you can express and share your grief. Don't hold it inside. And when you feel like crying.....cry. It's good for you, and I promise it will get a little bit easier everyday. She will always be in your heart, but you grief and sadness will turn to fond and loving memories.

Answer 6

i know how you feel this happend to me and believe it or not i still use to hear him walking on the kitchen floor after he was dead,i had him cremated and couldn't bare to let him go, after five years i moved to a bungalow and felt as if i could lay him to rest there, so i brought a nice tree and put him under that ,thinking i would never move again, guess what four years on and we have moved again ,up come the tree and all the earth around it so i brought him with me again, we really loved that dog and guess what we now have a bearded collie...it has eased the pain but nothing will replace the other one,, by the way get a rescue dog next time,you will feel as if you are doing somthing good for the animal, and yes you will have a new best frient..good luck,

Answer 7

Time makes the pain easier to bare,it will never go away completely maybe you know people with dogs that you can take for a walk or play with for a while until you can have your own dog again . The RSPCA are always looking for dog-walkers ,
consider that as a temporary option !
I wish you well and give yourself time to grieve !

Answer 8

I would check a shelter. They are a very popular breed at the shelters. A GSD/Lab mix was my first childhood dog and lived well into my college years. I Absolutely loved her she was an amazing dog--especially with children. Make sure you socialize the dog a lot as they do get protective. Good luck and I wish you the best!

Answer 9

Theres no way of getting out of this, youre going to have to go through the emotions and greive. Someone I know lost their lab and was suffering the same. They had a cup with the dogs picture on it and found comfort in relaxing and lokking at the pic, remembering good times

Answer 10

We lost our dog 2 yrs ago and we still think of him often, the house was sooo empty, my husband wouldnt entertain the idea of replacing the dog and was soo sad, he kept saying no dog would replace him coz he was special, he was special to him and the dog loved him because he was the one that walked him etc, after a few months I went and got another dog at 1st he said "hes lovely BUT nothin like Zeb" within a week I saw they were bonding and hubby was a lot more cheerful, now tho he is still sad at zebs passing the new dog comforts him and the pain is almost gone. So my advice is get a new dog as soon as you are settled in your new home, we went to the RSPCA there we saw lots of dogs who all wanted to come home with us and we fell in love with at least 3 of them choosing which one to take home was tough but things are soo much better now Fudge the new boy arrived, Good luck!!