when my dog dies what am i going to do?

Question

i have a golden retreiver and he is 12 years old and has really bad artheritis ( i dont know how to spell it :D ) in his back and he's going blind. we just got a new puppy about a year ago and i think that kind of is helping him stay with us but when he does die or we have to put him to sleep?? how am i going to live with it because i have had him almost my whole life and my other dog will proably get depressed too. i just dont know i i will be able to deal with it when he dies... he's like teh family dog that you take everywhere and even sneak him into hotels in teh middle of teh night so he doesnt have to sleep in the back of the truck all night

Answer 1

That's really sad. But my family and I had to do the same thing a few years ago with our black lab. He was 15 and I grew up with him. He got really old and started having problems, and we knew he was going to die, so we moved him into the house and made him comfortable for his last few months. The only thing I can recommend to you, is to make a lot of memories while you still have him. I know it's hard, but that's life. We all only have a certain amount of time here, then we move on. Make him comfortable, spoil him, let him know how much you love him, and take pictures (even see if you have old puppy pictures that you can frame). and when the time comes and he does have to pass, you still have a puppy to take care of. It's hard, but everything will be fine. Just focus on the good memories of your dog.

ps- this girl lives in the austin, tx area and she's really great at making tiny replicas of your pet (and it's really inexpensive!)
http://www.chubbiepets.blogspot.com/
I had her do the doggy (Rilo) that I have now. Maybe it would be a good idea to have her do your doggies, so you have lots of positive memories to look back on.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. It won't be easy, but like I said you'll always remember him and try to focus on how happy you made each other.

Answer 2

Hello BizzyB: I can certainly relate to you on this topic. My favorite dog is the Scottish Terrier and I have had many. I love my dogs as much as my children (almost) and when they die, my heart is absolutely broken. What I have always done is go right out and get another puppy of the same breed. It makes me happy to remember the past dog as a puppy and I have the puppy to keep me company. I still ache for my past dog but having to train the new one really helps. Your other dog will be very lonesome and in need of extra attention. Taking care of her will help you but do you think you could get another retreiver? I'll bet you loved watching that puppy grow up into a beautiful dog and that's a full time job. Just looking at puppy retrievers will make you happy. I really wish you well.

Answer 3

In the last way to close to 3/4 of a century I have been through these feelings a lot more than once. What I can tell you is that you will look back at the times you spent with your dog with a smile, because the sorrow will give way to a profound gratitude for the companionship and unconditional love that your dog gave to you. You will remember that brand new pair of mom's shoes that he chewed to pieces and a little smile will start somewhere inside of you and spread into a grin across your face for the entire world to see.
Say thank you to your dog, because while there will be other dogs in your life, each will be an individual, and each will have given you their all.

Answer 4

You are going to do your best to NOT forget about him. Try and imagine that he is on a vacation... a long vacation. Don't try to find him in your other dog. Know and accept that there will never be another dog just like him in every way. Try to get to know your other dog more. I can tell that you really care for this dog. So think about it - by wanting him to stay alive you may be being selfish. He is probably suffering and even though he loves you he may know that it is his time to go. It is difficult, I know. I was in the same situation not too long ago. You will find a way to grieve - don't worry. Cross the bridge when the time comes and for now focus on spending as much time with him s possible. Good Luck!

Answer 5

First off Ari Gaby, that is completely insensitive and leads me to believe that you are completely heartless and obviously a waste of space; if not a complete waste of life. Bizzy the only thing you can do is enjoy the time you have with him right now. When he does die you will do what most people do; you will mourn him and slowly start to move on while always holding a place for him in your heart. I know if feels like you’ll never get over it but you will, eventually you will accept it and you’ll have a lot of fond memories to look back on. I had to have my dog put to sleep about 3 weeks ago, and although it is always painful to loose a pet I always feel lucky that I had them in my life. Just seeing how worried you are shows me that this dog is lucky to have you. Your other dog will get depressed but animals tend to move on faster than we do, so just give him/her lots of attention; which will be helpful for the both of you. As for arthritis, make sure your dog is not over weight or it can increase his arthritis. Also the vet can give you pain pills that will help him on very bad days. There is also some type of glucosamine (I think that’s what it’s called) that your vet can recommend; it basically lubes the joints. You can also give your dog one baby aspirin a day to help with his arthritis. Hope this was helpful and try not to stress on the future and just enjoy the time you have with him.

Answer 6

Get an extra canine. Like humans, dogs get emotionally attached to one another. Your older canine was once like an older sibling to your 2 year old dog. You should take your canine on walks, and do some enjoyable stuff with her or him. Like get it a brand new toy of it's favorite form. And then get a new canine. However the new dog should be a bit older than the more youthful one, so it gives the more youthful one the feeling of an older sibling around again. P.S., i'm sorry about your loss. Hope you and your dog consider better

Answer 7

I'm going thru it right now. I just had to put my dog down on Friday after 12 years. I hate coming home now...it's really hard for me. He had a "baby" he slept with every night, that I am now keeping in the bed with me. I'm obviously not sleeping well tonite cause I just woke up after having a dream about him. I know he is much better off where he is now in doggie heaven, but it hurts alot. It takes time. He was my second one...I lost the first one about 3 years ago and I still think about him too sometimes. My 2nd dog was depressed when we lost the first one..I just gave him all the love I had to give. I had the first one privately cremated and did the same with my one on Friday. Someday this week I'll get the call to pick him up and it'll kill me all over again. But you just remember you gave them a great life and they were happy while they were here with you. When the time comes, mine will be waiting there to play with him I am sure! If you want keep my name, it's on yahoo....you can talk to me if/when it happens....believe me, I know all the feelings that come after 12 years of having them with you. He had a "baby" he slept with every night, and I still keep the baby in bed with me.

Answer 8

When my bluey (Cassie) lost the use of her back legs,my husband made her a little wheelchair like thing and it worked,we got a new puppy too just to see if it would keep her on her toes.But then the bladder and bowel ceased functioning,and the smile left her face (most of you would know what im talking about)We knew then it was time (my husband had the grave ready months before) we set a date and made a promise we would stick to it.It did not make it any easier and i still cry when i think about it,and she has been gone nearly 3yrs,at least i can go out my backyard to her grave and talk to her.I hope when it comes time you will do the right thing.........................Liz.

Answer 9

The next dog will be the same dog...here's why I say that..when souls are created...humans get one each and they don't have to share it...unless they find a soulmate..but thats another question....for animals, God made one big soul for all the cats, another big one for all the dogs etc. So when one dog passes on like all living things do...then the next dog is still the same one...even that new puppy you have is the same dog as the golden retriever. He may appear to be a different dog...but it's because he will be exposed to a different life than the retreiver.

Answer 10

I know what you're going thru : I lost a poodle to cancer after 10 years. He thought his purpose in life was to be my shadow! He literally followed me in circles; never had a leash when I walked him (he heeled and stayed at my side perfectly); then the night he died he howled for me to come to his side and laid by me =( I still sometimes cry (he's been gone ten years now) and our cat did miss him for about a couple months!
We grieve the loss of our pets just like the loss of a person! Now is the time to talk to others who have lost their pet friends, and seek their support. As long as your dog is not suffering, keep him comfortable and take pictures! If he's in uncontrollable pain, make the "final goodbye" trip to the vet and arrange his burial/funeral.