my dog I had for 14 years died and I feel so lost how do you over come the death of a pet that is like family?

Answer 1

There is no easy answer to this. Just like any loss, it takes time. Eventually the pain will fade some, and it will become easier to think of the happy memories rather than the death. I know its kind of corny, but heres a poem my friend sent me after my dog died.

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....

Answer 2

Sorry for your loss. Pets are like family. Try to grieve the same way you would for a relative. My mother just lost a dog of 14 years also. Her other dog took it hard too. But you provided a loving home for a long time and gave the dog a good life. Make a scrapbook to commerate your dog and the memories you have. Also having a "funeral" helps. Give a speech and let other family members (if any) tell stories about the pet and the happy times you shared. This helps especially if there were any children close to the pet. It gives them closure. Closure starts the healing process. Time does the rest.

Answer 3

The fact is that pets are usually a part of the family. Another fact is they don't live very long compared to humans. That is the hardest thing about having a pet. It takes time to grieve and move on. There is no way around it. Try to think of fun, happy things. I am sure your dog had a good life. Fourteen is pretty old. No one lives forever and once an animal or person is old, the problems multiply. Death isn't a bad thing. It's the door we all go out of eventually.

Answer 4

I am so very sorry for your loss. I know exactly how you feel. Yes, our pets ARE members of our family. You are a special person for feeling this way.

My sheltie & my cat were only a year apart in age, and both became very ill, for different reasons, when they were 15 & 14. I had to put the sheltie to sleep so I decided to end my cat's suffering at the same time. It was the hardest thing I ever had to do, but I wanted them to "go" with a friend, which they always were for each other. 2 days later, the 9/11 attack in New York happened. My husband & I were devastated. We both took a couple of days off.

We had them cremated, and still have their little boxes. We had some nice photos of them blown up and put into very nice frames. We put together a special album of photos of both of them. My husband had trimmed a little bit of their fur before we said goodbye, and those were put into the album.

Anyway, just go ahead and cry, cry, cry. Some people volunteer or donate to animal shelters, charities etc... It will hurt for a while, but eventually you will feel a little better, a little at a time.

I promised my pets that no matter how hard this was, I would never stop saving (adopting) pets and that I would do it in their honor. I know they would want that. I waited a year, but only because my husband was so hurt. We now have 2 cats that he just loves dearly.

People who love animals are very special and that love is meant to be given to another pet, when the time is right.

Take care.

Answer 5

I'm so sorry for this really sad event in your life. You need to give it time. My last dog died in Oct2001 and for the first two months I swore I heard her, or would see her out of the corner of my eye. When I would come home from work, I'd start crying as soon as I got to the door and put the key in the lock. She used to lay on the tile right in front of the door but because she had arthritis, I used to knock on the door so she'd know I was coming in and she'd have a few extra seconds to get up without falling.

It was really hard to break that habit, or of calling her when food had dropped on the floor. But eventually a new routine established itself. Then the one year anniversary came and darned if I didn't start seeing her again coming around a corner, or hear her climbing the stairs.

So it just takes time. Pets are the most loyal of companions and they give us unconditional love. We can't just turn off the attachments when they die.

Do you like to write? draw? paint? sing? Maybe you can use one of your talents to express what you shared with your critter and what you're feeling right now.

Wishing you the best ... and if you've never heard of the Rainbow Bridge, here's a link. Ooops, I see someone else has posted it as well. Great minds think alike!!

Answer 6

Grief is dealt with by every person in different ways and different time lines... you could try getting another pet (not that I am impying a new one will replace the old one) but it would give you a sense of life, and not focus on death. You could also try pet loss grief counseling..most local SPCA/humane societies have a monthly offering of this for free or low fee.

You may also discuss this with your family members who shared in the joy of the life of your past dog...speaking about things outloud helps some people to deal with it.

Or you may choose not to speak to anyone and give it time if it was a recent loss...sometimes time itself will fade the pain and in time you'll want to get another dog.

Answer 7

awww...A week after I graduated college, my parents had to put my childhood jack russell to sleep. I cried for days.
You can't force yourself to get over it. Like any loss, it takes time. If you miss having a pet, look at getting another dog...especially one from the shelter that could use a good life.
If you're not ready for another pet, that's ok too. Try to keep your mind occupied and be with other people so you don't have to think about it so much right away.

I thought I'd never find a dog as great as my jack russell, but I now have a pomeranian and he keeps life entertaining for me. He is currently barking while digging behind the couch cushions.

Answer 8

RainbowsBridge.com

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 9

Sorry to take heed to of ways your doggy exceeded. it ought to've been a terrible website to discover interior the morning. It replaced into probably a short demise for the doggy (there are this kind of vast quantity of significant veins interior the neck, that he'd bleed out right away) & he probably does not were able to cry out & wake any of the persons on your loved ones. you shouldn't experience to blame for that happening b/c there's no way you should've elementary the dogs does not get alongside "that nighttime". The grieving procedure typically takes a lengthy time period & the anniversary of a pets demise is maximum complicated. in case you want to have a good cry about, then bypass ahead & try this. this is not stupid to cry over the shortcoming of the doggy & it shows you're a very being concerned human being & a good puppy proprietor with techniques from showing that a lot emotion for your puppy. I nonetheless get disillusioned about a kitten I had that died from tom cat distemper on yuletide Eve 8 yrs in the past & have a second of silence to save in ideas the kitten each and every 365 days on the time he exceeded.

Answer 10

I am sorry to hear of your loss. I have a pet like that....he is my horse. He is only 6, but i would never recover if i lost him. I have had some very old and dear pets die. I just gave myself time to cry....even if you are guy. Almost everyone has a pet that they love die atleast once in their life....if you love it, you hurt. Just give it some time. Think of your dog in the happiest memory you two had together. I felt that having my pets cremated at the vets and saving the urn of ashes is a major way to heal. You still get your pet...just in a different form. Create a nice little shrine to him. Put his urn, with a nice picture, up on your mantle or a shelf. Good bless you and I hope you feel better soon. Just know that your dog is happy now and that he loves you. That is the best way to ever get on with life. ALSO, I used to think.....I remember when one of my very special pets died. The next day I woke up and the sun was very brightly shining....I thought to myself that my pet was in heaven making it shine for me to brighten my day and that she was thinking of me. Music also helps. Find yourself a song that makes you think of your pet and every time you play it or hear it on the radio, you are paying tribute to them. May I suggest the song called "I believe" by the band Diamond Rio....it is truly touching.