My dog just died..help?

Question

My 14 year old dog just died and I'm 14 so I've basically had him my whole life..I'm DYING..I can't stop crying or thinking about how I'll never get to see him again...anyway you can help? Maybe? please ='[

Answer 1

Im really sorry for your loss, I know how you feel, Ive lost two dogs in my life and its just as bad as losing a person.

It can help to put together a small photo album or collection of photos and other things that remind you of the dog, I personally wore my dogs collar on my wrist for months till I felt I could deal with her not being with me anymore and it really helped.

Also if you need someone to talk to who will really really understand, then in the UK at least (Im sure they must be around everywhere though) there are Pet Bereavement councellors, maybe try looking up a local one.

Again Im really sorry :(

Answer 2

My dog was a few months shy of 14 when I had to put him down late last August due to a series of ailments. I had him since he was a pup. 14 years is a very long time and I think of him almost daily. He was such a huge part of my life, that truly a part of me died with him.

You won't ever forget him. Time does heal wounds, though. Slowly you'll find yourself not crying as much and moving on.

I found several things helpful. First is going to petloss.com. I provided the link below. They have a heavily moderated forum at this site, which is fantastic. You can post and not worry about insensitive replies. The comments you will receive are from those who lost their pets and know your pain exactly. This site helped me so much as I didn't feel so alone.

Other things that helped was visiting shelters and playing with dogs, making a little memorial to my dog and even, eventually, getting new dogs. You have to do what feels right for you. If being with other dogs is too tough now, then work on the memorial. It will bring tears, but tears are cathartic - you need that release. Talking about your pet on petloss.com will give you that expression you need.

Most importantly, don't let anyone tell you that "it was just a dog" or "just get another one" as if you can replace your pet. Some people will make these insensitive comments - ignore them. They mean well, but are clueless. Grieve in your own way, in your own time.

You have my condolences on your loss - I wish you the best.

Answer 3

When Being Strong Hurts More Than Grieving Can
The death of a pet is never an easy time. Whether it is an older animal, who may have been a part of the family longer than most of the furniture and some of the children, or a pet who has been with you for only a few years, the loss can be truly traumatic. And if the end comes through a conscious decision for euthanasia, other emotions become entangled with the basic sense of loss. Once it's over, you may prefer to think that the experience is behind you. Unfortunately, it is not.

There will be a hole in your household and in your life for a while, and for the first part of that "while" the hole may seem huge. There ARE ways to fill the gap. However, the loss itself is not something you can simply ignore, assuming that your world will adjust itself. Instead, you must deal with that something, just as you would deal with the loss of any other good friend. Yes, it is a different kind of relationship, but to behave otherwise is to try and change your attitude in mid-stride. You cannot expect yourself to think of your pet as a friend and then to dismiss those feelings as disposable because THIS friend happened to be an animal. It is NOT silly to miss your pet, and it is NOT overly sentimental to grieve.

Another difference lies in the always complicated idea of "what happens next". Many people, especially older folks, express a very real concern that they won't see their animals in the next life (whatever that may be) because they have been told that animals have no souls. Maybe you, like me, are a little unsure about what exactly " the next life" holds for any of us. However, if having a soul means being able to feel love and trust and gratitude, then aren't some animals better equipped than a lot of humans?

But still, he was pet and not a person, and that makes it more complicated to sort out exactly what you are supposed to do and feel. Although we recognize the individual personalities in pets, that doesn't mean that they are just little people. The relationship you have with your pet is different from any human relationship you may have. We have the responsibility to care for animals and to learn from them. As we domesticated pets, they became dependent upon us for their needs. Part of caring for them, especially in a technologically advanced society, often means deciding when an animal can no longer live a happy life or even a content one.

When an animal is made a pet by a responsible, caring person, he is being given exactly what he needs and wants: his "creature comforts", companionship, and the opportunity to return the favor through loyalty and affection. Dogs, especially, are naturally eager to please the "leader of the pack", and the owner takes on that role. So the dog is never happier than when he knows that he is pleasing that person. When he is too old or too sick to respond in the way HE thinks he should, he can't understand why and feels the anxiety of failure.

Because their natural life-spans are shorter than ours, we usually outlive our pets. However, the life you shared cannot simply be abandoned. Don't deny yourself the thoughts, memories, and feelings that your pet's life deserves. You may decide to fill the hole with another pet. However, you can never replace the special bond you held with the one who is gone.

Answer 4

I am SO sorry Stacey, I truly understand how you feel. I have had my dog since I was 7, and I am almost 14 now. She is slowly growing old, and is going downhill MUCH MUCH MUCH faster than I want... She has been a great friend. When she goes, I am going to make a scrapbook of her, and keep it where I can look at it easily. I know it hurts, but ignore all the insensitive comments, and grieve on your own time. I am really sorry that you lost your best friend. Hang in there =)

Answer 5

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. You have lost a family member and friend. It may be helpful to seek some counseling to get you through this. When my best friend (a horse) died, I had to get help. Non-pet/animal people had little compassion so I simply told them I had lost a very close friend. The counselor informed me it is not uncommon to feel more grief when mourning the loss of a beloved animal friend than another human. Animals give us truly unconditional love. Look up the poem "The Rainbow Bridge".... I hope those words help soothe your heart a little. Remember--- sharing part of your life's journey with your friend was a blessing and a gift. That relationship continues to develop when you reflect back and look for the life lessons your dog helped you understand... througout your life, the lessons will continue to unfold.

Answer 6

My condolences. It's hard to lose a pet that has been with you so long. Your reaction is normal. When I lost my best friend (a Rottwieler named Tyson) it took awhile, but I I forced myself to go PetSmart and the Humane Society and just hold and play with the puppies or other dogs they had in. It is great feeling to see the joy exudes even when it sees a perfect stranger. I'm glad I did because I eventually got another dog. Although my new pup will never replace Tyson, he is becoming a great friend and fun to have around. He is different with a different personality and habits, but caring for him help take my mind off the loss of Ty. I'm careful not to compare the two, and let my new friend be himself. After a while the pain of loss will dull and hopefully you will have new friend.

Answer 7

So sorry to hear about your dog! I can only imagine how you must feel. Your dog was old and I am sure he/she had a great life with you. 14 years that is a long life for a dog. So many good memories !! Take out a picture of your dog and look at it and keep his/her memory alive.
Good luck to you. Your pain will become easier with time...but I am sure you never will forget your dog!

Answer 8

Life and death are a natural cycle as time goes by the pain will lessen.Perhaps you can get another dog once the pain goes down.Not to replace the dog , just to have a new companion.

Answer 9

It will pass. Just do things to stop remembering him. Don't get a new dog until you're over the old one as it will take over your house. He was 14. He took no regrets in his life. He, in his mind, lived a full life and was happy.

Answer 10

Oh hun im so sorry that sucks. My dog just passed away a week ago and it still hurts why dont you put together a scrpbook of pictures of your dog,and you can make a memorial to him/her thats what i did and it helped a LOT.
Agin im soooo sorry for your loss i know how it feels :(