Any advice with coping with the death of my dog? Bad Dreams... meanings?

Question

This week, it will be 4 months since we had to put my dog Tyson to sleep. It has been really hard for me and my family... almost seemed unreal. He had lung cancer & we didn't know he had it until it was too late. We guess it was hereditary... we may never know. He was only 4 yrs old. With him I lost a major part of my spirit.... He was like a second younger brother to me and more. I Love him and Miss him soo much and there's not a day that will go by when I don't think of him. Since then, I light a candle and communicate with him before I go to sleep... just to get my feelings out. It does help as weird as it sounds. And In a weird way... It feels likes he's still here. This week, I've also been having bad dreams about him... but I can't really remeber them. I know they're so bad that I wake up crying at night. What could this mean and how can I keep coping with his loss?

Answer 1

omg im so sorry...I cant say I know how it feels to lose a pet that close,...but I have a cat whom Ive had since I was 10yrs (im 22yrs now)......well i dont know how old you are...but if you are in school perhaps you can talk to a counselor there...there are also some websites that are for ppl grieving for lost pets...I dont know of a certain one but I've searched some before.
Best thing to do is talk about it.....to someone who you know will listen..understand and not judge (because as im sure you know some ppl simply see pets as just animals...they dont understand that you can care and feel for them so strongly that they become a part of you and a member of the family) I hope i helped a bit...and i hope that your nightmares go away.

Answer 2

I know exactly how you feel. I have a dog who's really old and just thinking about it upsets me.
You must feel so much worse especially since he was just 4 and must have been so playful and full of life all the time.
Some people say that you should get another pet...but I don't know if that works or if you're ready for that yet.
Communicate with him it makes you feel better. Put up pictures of him with you and other family members. Think of all the good memories.
Also try to focus all the energy and love you had for him into something good...take up a project...may be help at a local kennel
Talk to friends who knew him and who understand how you're feeling or write a journal about it.
Take up some kind of physical activity like yoga or running so that you're relaxed at the end of the day and can sleep easy. And try to think of a good memory (may be when he was a puppy?) before you go to bed. If that doesn't work, try hot chocolate :)
And remember that you will start feeling better over time...just hang in there.

Answer 3

Oh sweetie, you've made me cry too. Our family also had to put our dog to sleep when he was three from chronic kidney failure with which he was probably born. I can so clearly empathize with how you are feeling. This dog was my comfort, my friend and someone other than mom that I could really honestly talk to ... because he just understood. I held him while he was dying and when Dad and I left the vet's I turned on the radio and a certain slow song was playing called, "The search is over." When I hear that song even today, I still cry for him. Not as much as I used to, but I can't help but try and understand how much pain he was in before he died and now he has no pain. I firmly believe that one of the first "people" you meet when you die will be this dog...wagging his tail and so happy to see you! And you'll know that joy again of having this dog in your life.

To make things easier...hmmm... I really never could make it any easier. I like to think that doggy is no longer in pain and that he/she is very happy where he/she is now. My belief system says Heaven, but yours may be different. I made a scrapbook with photos of my "Puppy Duppy" with written pages stapled on the opposite page. I wrote about the pictures, what was going on when the picture was taken and why I or someone else toOK it. I keep a picture of Bandit on the wall and even though Bandit left in 1983, I still remember him every day. When good things happen I can easily say that I wished Bandit could see this. Mom always says that he probably does and puts an arm around me.

I don't think you can really make this easier. Knowing that it is okay to cry -- and the strangest little things will get you crying so easily -- that with time it gets easier, but you'll never ever forget him or her.

I think it is wonderful that you still talk to your dog and I do believe he hears you, and it must comfort him to know you still love him, and always will. Continue to talk to him, cry your eyes out whenever you need to do so and write down the funnier things he's done that made your life better while he was in it.

It hurts real bad, I understand. And I'll be around, ok?

Answer 4

I am so sorry for your loss. I know it is terrible to have to go through this but you and your family really did do the right thing. It may take a while but when you are very sad try to remember the happiest moment with your dog, something that will make you smile. Hopefully you will begin to just remember the happy stuff and the grief will lessen. Some people feel getting another dog right away helps. Others feel like that would ruin the memory of the one that passed. Either way I hope you and your family find a way to heal and cherish your memories.

Answer 5

I understand where you're coming frin. Our loving, sweet, amazing golden retriever, Maggie, suddenly passed away last March, just a few days before her 8th birthday. It left a hole in our family's heart...it was like losing a sister. She was even playing in our yard and running on a trail earlier that day; the vet said she likely had a massive heart attack or stroke. We had no indication that anything was wrong. It was an absolute shock.

It's completely normal how you are dealing with the passing of your dog. We had Maggie cremated and put some of her ashes on the trail that she loved running down every morning. We also planted a tree in her honour. When you get sad and think about Tyson, just remember all the good times and what joy he brought to your life. Thank him for that. Don't worry about the dreams, it is just a way that your subconcious is dealing with stress and mourning. Since dogs are so genuine and loving, Tyson would not want you to be so upset. I'm sure he would much rather see you happy and enjoying life.

I truly believe our pets go to heaven; they have such spirit and energy. Remember, energy can't be created nor destroyed, it can only change forms. Sometimes I still feel Maggie's presence / energy around...and it makes me smile. Interesting enough, my grandmother who is unable to see, in a nursing home, and has suffered from a stroke, said she 'saw' Maggie around us a couple of days after our pet passed away. Often people who are close to the beginning and end of their life on earth are most sensitive to these energies.

I found that this little poem to be comforting, even though it may be a little cheesy...hehe. I hope it helps you, and I really hope you feel better soon. Don't rush your mourning process, but Tyson would have wanted you to keep your chin up.


THE RAINBOW BRIDGE

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 6

I had a female dog who died after being about 10 or 11 years old. I could hear her for a while after she was gone. I put flowers on her grave. She was special to me. One night i had a dream that she wondered did i care for her anymore because i did not put flowers on her grave. I put some on her grave and told her i did. After some time went by i got a small dog. Then i though he needed some company. So i was thinking about getting another one and i dreamed about him before i got him. I saw him in my dream. It is strange how his personality is so much like hers. It is hard to lose an animal but know that you are special because you can give them love-some people are too cold hearted. Whatever helps you to get through this is o.k. and when you are able to release her-let her spirit rest you will find a new pet. Just take your time. I have 3 dogs now. They give me lots of love.Take comfort in the fact that your dog was loved.even though his life was short.

Answer 7

Sorry for your loss, I know how heart breaking it can be. Take solace in knowing that you were a good pet owner, that loved your friend, and know that he had a better life with you than he would have with anyone else. When he needed your help to relieve his suffering you were there for him. Celebrate the life he had. Remember him fondly as that great dog, and get another one. Nothing heals a broken heart from losing a pet than lavishing all that love on another. Try getting a dog from a shelter, one that really wants to be loved.

Answer 8

Getting over the death of a pet can be just as hard as when a human dies.3 yrs ago I lost my cat I had for 15 yrs.She got a terrible infection and I had to put her to sleep.It was the hardest thing I've ever had to do.I still cry when I think of her.I have 3 more cats now and I love them so much.They are my children.

Answer 9

I also had to have my dog put to sleep, I didnt know if i would ever get over it, He was posioned and started having seizures we took him to the vet. got medication but he continued to suffer. I was at his side untill he took his last breath, I could not let him die alone. for months i know his spirit was still with me. and that is what comforted me. I could feel him in the room, and when time had helped to heal . I was finally able to say good-bye. but i still love and miss him. your dogs love will carry over death and help you heal!

Answer 10

Try a pet loss chat room.

They understand what you're going thru because they are going thru the same thing.

It gives you a chance to talk about your furry friend without anyone being judgemental.

Try it, you have nothing to lose and every thing to gain.

Peace.