What's the best way to grieve for your dying dog?

Question

Just found out that my dog is very very sick.

Answer 1

I'm so sorry for you and your dog. It's very hard to lose a pet and watching a pet be sick is very hard, indeed.

I just lost one of my dogs in July and I knew it was coming. I took some video of her and we took lots of pictures. It hurts to look at those right now, but I have them. It was so much worse than I had anticipated. I cried for days. I still cry. Sometimes I'll go for a week or two and I'll be fine and I start thinking about her sweet face and I just bawl. It's actually hard for me to write this.

Some people think that getting a new dog right away is the answer, but it's not. Not really. We often try to replace our beloved pet with another and that just doesn't work well because each pet is a unique individual.

I was fortunate in that I had 2 dogs so when the one died, I cried on the other dog. She let me and I think she misses the other dog, too. I talked with lots of people about how I felt. I still do. It helps.

You might find some comfort in giving your dog some extra treats or some extra long backrubs right now. If your dog is up to it, you might go and do your favorite things with him. Mostly, tell him how you love him. Sure, he won't understand the words, but dogs do understand how we feel. He'll know.

Spend your time with him now, for sure. I was in no way prepared for how I felt once my dog died. I was a mess. I still am in some ways. We put away her things because it was too hard to look at them. I miss her so much.

Make sure you've got some people around to hug and hold you and support you. Remember that your dog will always love you.

Answer 2

I'm very sorry for you and your dog.

Getting a new puppy straight after your other dog dies is not a good idea. You will still be sad and you will be grieving still and you will not be able to give your new puppy the love and time that it deserves. When my Dalmatian died 3 years ago, it took me 15 months to go get another puppy. My cat died this year of Kindey Disease /(failure). I bought an 11 week old kitten from my local Vet (also a kitten adoption agency) 3 days later and I felt as if I could not bond with her the way I would like to.

Spend as much time with your dog as possible. Give it all your time. Take as many photos and videos as you can, to remind you of him/her.

Answer 3

I dont think there is a proper way to grieve, every one is different.

It is never easy loosing anything you care about, all you can do is enjoy the time you have left with each other and remember the times you had when the part from you.

Easier said than done i know, i lost my collie when she was 4. Some body poisened her and it was the worst thing i have ever been through. She died in my arms on the vets floor, she bled to death :-( (crying) I will never forget her and every day that passes i remember her for the loyal, loving, kind and devoted dog she was.

I hope you come trough it ok, and give your dog a big cuddle from me.

Answer 4

I am sooooo sorry to hear about your dog. I know exactly how you must be feeling,first hand!!I would NOT get another dog right at the moment,I would shower this dog with ALL of my undivided attention and love.Just give your dog everything he longs for or had enjoyed doing all through out his life.Tell him how much you love him and you know he'll be free from pain and suffering,but you'll also miss him tremendously.Check out this web site www.rainbow bridge.com. This is a poem that will make you cry,but also bring comfort to you. I love this poem. The very first time I had the opportunity to read it was at a vet's office when I found out my dog had cancer.Yes, I would get another dog after this one goes on to Rainbow Bridge.I wish you all the best and my heart goes out to you.

Answer 5

First of all, I would like to wish you best of luck. Since, I too have a dog, I can understand how you're feeling. But the best way to handle this is thinking that you gave your dog a peaceful death.

Before doing this, make sure your pet is going to die FOR SURE. It would be nice if you could inject some painless poison(although I don't remember the name) in your dog's body when he is asleep. Although this sounds crazy, this would give him a painless and peaceful death rather than painful or sad death.

Answer 6

my dog is also dying... and it is just very hard. I am desparate but at the same time i try to be a realist. I am very sorry to know that i'll have to put my dog down, but i know that there is no other solution. We cannot escape death, but we can feel a bit of satisfaction for giving our pets a good life- as long as it was...The end does not matter, it is the journey that matters....

Answer 7

Remember that you gave him a good life and try to make him comfortable. When my kitty was dying I abandoned all of his "restrictions". He could eat whatever he wanted, he could sleep in the bed, and I moved his litterpan to the 1st floor. Keep in mind that when you took on the responsibility of a pet you knew that this time would come eventually. Most importantly I didn't let him see me upset or crying because he would know something was wrong.

Answer 8

spend as much time with her/him as you can. When the dog dies go to your local shelter and adopt another. Your dog will be proud you saved another dogs life. Its hard to lose a pet but knowing you were the best owner your could be should help. good luck

Answer 9

First of all treat it to a nice walk if it would enjoy that. If not then the best thing you can do is love it. I would get another dog just like it at the Humane Society.

Answer 10

it gets extra effective. you will think of approximately him usually for a solid long on an identical time as and a great sort of issues will set off concepts of him. yet over the years you will have the potential to make it by your day devoid of having breakdowns. It took a pair of month and a 0.5 for me. I have been given yet another canines after 3 months. :)