It's hard I know, but you just have to accept that death is a fact of life.
I just put my 15 year old dog to sleep this year. I got him when I was 15 and he went through all my teenage years with me. He was with me as a single mom at 19 and some VERY difficult times in my life (financial, emotional, and physical). No matter what was happening in my life I had him with me. He was my only constant for a very long time. I had my vet come out to my house and we put him to sleep on my living room floor while his head rested on my lap. I then carried his lifeless body out to my vet's car, placed it in the back seat and watched him drive away. That was back in May 2006 and I still haven't fully grieved for him. I can't allow myself, it's too overwhelming. It has helped me though, to realize that Maverick lived a WONDERFUL life. My high school friends all came over the night we put him down. They called him our mascot because he went everywhere with me. I know that I provided the best possible home he could have had. It helped me to realize that he was truly happy with me.
It's not an easy thing to think about, but right now I have a 2 year old JRT/Beagle mix and a 3 year old Lab/Pointer mix. I don't think about when they will die. I know my JRT has at least another 12-14 years ahead of him and my Lab hopefully another 10 years. I just think back about how much time that actually is and it makes me feel better. The two I have now don't even compare to my Maverick. He has a place in my heart that is all his and no other dog will replace him, ever. I love my mutts I have now, but the life they're living with me is different from what Maverick and I shared. Every relationship is different. I think back on everything Maverick and I did together in the 15 years I had him. It truly was a lifetime worth of memories.
ADDED...Sorry this was so long. I tend to share a lot of thoughts when I talk about Maverick. Maybe it's helping me grieve...
2007-01-20 13:58:06
·
answer #1
·
answered by KJ 5
·
1⤊
0⤋
Losing a companion, that you've had with you for such a long time, is very hard, and extremely heartbreaking. I understand how you feel. Anyone that has owned an animal, has been through losses. You never get over the animal you lost. It will always be deep in your heart. Everything dies at one point or another, we can't avoid that. It really helped me when I lost an animal , and got another one. You can never replace the one you lost, you can only give your love to another animal, that will give your the same unconditional love, your other animal did. Just enjoy the time you do have with it. I'm really sorry about the loss of your dog. I would say, go ahead and get another dog. You would be surprised how much it helps, and there are so many dogs out there that need good, loving homes. I hope this helps a little!
2007-01-20 22:03:20
·
answer #2
·
answered by Chihuahua Lover 5
·
1⤊
0⤋
Each person grieves at a different pace. Some people are ready for a new dog the next day, some people want to wait years before getting a new dog, some people are never ready.
Give yourself the opportunity to fall in love with a new dog. Go to a shelter or humane society and visit the dogs there. If the right dog is there, you will know it. Saving a dog's life by rescuing it from "death row" at a shelter is a great way to honor your beloved dog's memory.
If you get there and it doesn't feel right, then you aren't ready. You want to give the new dog the best life possible, and if you aren't emotionally prepared for a dog at the time you adopt one, that won't happen. You may fall in love eventually, but you can't and shouldn't force yourself to get one if you aren't ready.
2007-01-20 21:48:04
·
answer #3
·
answered by lrachelle 3
·
4⤊
0⤋
They say that time heals, but the love of a pet will be with you always.
You can start by volunteering at your local SPCA. Abandon dogs need lots of love and attention. There maybe several dogs that don't respond to others, but respond to you. Try it for a while, you never will know the joy that you can find in the face of a dog that needs a little love. The SPCA always need people to bathe, feed, walk, play, and just be there for the animals. Whether it is a dog or a cat, they all need love. You never know, one of these special lives might just touch your heart where it needs to be healed.
I was lucky to have adopted two great dogs from the SPCA. Both of them had owners that just didn't want them any longer. I still have my Tiki (Boston Terrier) and Taco (Chihuahua) as well as three other registered Bostons.
2007-01-20 22:07:49
·
answer #4
·
answered by witchywoman143 2
·
0⤊
0⤋
Working at an animal hospital for a long time and now soon becoming a veterinarian I totally understand how hard it was for you. I have seen clients go through the samething. At least you are aware that you want to get past this. But people have gone to grief counselors for the loss of their pets. Mourning is mourning no matter what or who it is that you are losing. My boyfriend in fact was the same way for three years until the right dog found him when he was actively resisting getting a dog. And now they are inseparable. But I would highly recommend grief counseling as it seemed to help other clients who I have worked with. Good luck and take care
2007-01-20 21:56:33
·
answer #5
·
answered by bassetmom 3
·
0⤊
0⤋
Maybe you could volunteer to foster a pup or do some volunteer work with a local shelter. Then when the time is right to adopt again you will know it.
I know what a terrible loss it is to lose a pet. When I lost my German Shepherd Dog I might have felt the same but then I already one other dog. Today I have three including that "other dog" who will be five yrs old on Feb. 14.
All are rescues.
None of them are German Shepherds. They are all mixes and rescues and each have their own special personalities. I cannot compare them to my Shepherd because they are each so different.
Wishing you the best in working through your grief. Maybe the volunteer work will help.
2007-01-20 21:53:49
·
answer #6
·
answered by Anonymous
·
1⤊
0⤋
It sounds like you really do want another dog. And if you do get one, just remember that it WILL be different than Roxie. Not better or worse, just different. And i know it is hard to go through such a loss, but think of all the years of joy you will have. If i were you, i would just go to an animal shelter. Not looking for a dog to adopt, but just to see the dogs. You might find one who you absolutely fall in love with. And because all of these dogs are in need of a good home, you are helping them by saving their life if you do decide to adopt. I think it would be a good idea just to go visit the dogs at an animal shelter. You deserve another dog in your life.
2007-01-20 21:50:37
·
answer #7
·
answered by Stark 6
·
1⤊
0⤋
As you said, you are afraid of facing another loss. You know the saying, "It is better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all." It applies to our love for a pet too. What I suggest is going for visits to a shelter. Spend time with some of the dogs there. Ask about their histories. You have a lot of love to give a dog, and you can save a life. I just know there will be a dog there that will grab your heart and not let go. Good luck.
2007-01-20 21:53:44
·
answer #8
·
answered by Anonymous
·
1⤊
0⤋
i was going to say because you're not ready, but 5 years is long enough. you need to look at the good. you spent 15 wonderful years being the best friend and owner to that dog. you shouldn't let the pain felt in the end by losing such a great companion deny you of enjoying the 15 years of happiness. look at all the wonderful years and times spent together. would you change that for anything? probably not. you are denying yourself to feel that happiness again. and i'm sure judging by what a great dog you said that roxie was, she would not want you to be so sad for so long. do her an honor and honor her life. give another dog what she had, and you'll know she'll be happy forever knowing that you have not lost the ability to love and be happy just because of her. i'm sure she's been so sad knowing that you have felt so lost since she died. she knew it was time and thanks you for helping her go peacefully. another dog will never be roxie, they will be the dog and companion you have chosen to spend another 15 or so happy years together with. my best to you.
2007-01-20 21:50:20
·
answer #9
·
answered by cagney 6
·
2⤊
0⤋
You will never replace Roxie. However, you saved her, you can save another.
What I recommend is go to the pound and visit.Take them some food, old towels, or toys for the animals there. You will be doing the animals a favor.
When you are there, look at the faces of those innocent animals. Their lives are sad and lonely, caged all day and all night. Would it possibly be worth the pain of loosing another friend to know that you gave them several years of happiness they might have never gotten? It might take you several visits, but I think you will end up bringing a new friend home.
2007-01-20 21:51:58
·
answer #10
·
answered by Katslookup - a Fostering Fool! 6
·
1⤊
0⤋