My dog just died this morning and I have a couple questions.?

Question

First, how do you deal with this? I knew it was coming soon because the vet said his condition was going to get him soon (heart murmur and kidneys failing). I thought I was prepared. I put him in a box, had my morning cereal, and read the paper like any other day. I drove out to the country where my cat is buried and dug a hole. Everything was fine until I put him in the hole. I started sobbing like a child and can't seem to stop. We brought him home from the pound 13 years ago and he has been my buddy ever since. I work from home and he sat by my side all day every day. I just wonder how to proceed from here. I'm so sad.
Also, my sheepdog worshipped the ground he walked on. She seems confused and I don't know what to do. Any helpful tips would be appreciated.

Answer 1

This is one of the very first serious questions to have no sarcastic and rude responses.
I can't believe anyone would be giving a thumbs down to any of these answers.
All these answers were from good hearted people.
I must say, however, your other best friend could use a another pal to help her cope with her confusion.
I'm sure she is sensing your confusion also.
And there are so many lonely little souls needing a good home.

Answer 2

It is okay to cry over your dog. I lost one just a month ago for the same thing. She was 11. This is not the first one and it wont be the last one. What makes me feel better is that I know I gave her a good life, she was struggling to get enough oxygen when I had her put down. Your dog was also and now he doesn't have to suffer. That is an awful feeling and don't look at it as he was fighting to stay alive. He was actually struggling to get air. Ask any person suffering from asthma. I'm sure your dog was well loved and that is more than so many other dogs have. They really leave such a huge empty space because they are always there with us following us from room to room. It does get better. Each day little by little it gets a bit better. It does feel like your heart is aching. It's so hard. I am very sorry for your loss.

Answer 3

You have my condolences. It is never easy to loose a pet, even if you are expecting it. Everyone deals with loss differently. What you are experiencing is normal. Death, especially the death of a long-time companion, never seems real at first. And knowing that it's coming doesn't really make it easier than when it comes out of the blue. It may change the grieving process slightly (often people who have lost a loved one to a long-time terminal illness have started their grieving well before the actual death), but it doesn't make it easier. And the death of a dog is no less a loss than the death of any other close friend. People often tell themselves, "it's just a dog." But deep down they know better. He wasn't "just a dog," he was your constant companion, your confidant, your friend, for 13 long years and for him to suddenly no longer be there, even if you knew that it was inevitable, is very hard emotionally. It's ok to cry.

Everyone deals with the loss of a pet differently. For some people, it helps to create some sort of memorial or tribute to their pet. If you have a hobby like gardening, or scrapbooking you could plant a garden or a tree in his memory or create a special memory album. For some people, just looking through old photos and remembering some of the memorable events (good AND not-so-good) helps a lot. Some people donate to a rescue or animal welfare organization in their pet's name (kind of like how sometimes people will donate to a charity or medical research that their deceased family or friend supported to honor their memory).

It is also normal for your other dog to mourn the loss of her friend. She may be confused about why he is no longer around and she may look for him for a while. There is some debate as to how well dogs understand death, if they do at all. Some dogs seem to understand death very well and will become depressed when a companion dog dies, while others don't even seem to notice. Even if your sheepdog doesn't understand why her buddy is no longer around, his absence is a major upheaval of her regular routine and will take some time to get used to. You should try to keep her schedule as normal as possible and maybe spend some extra time with her. Maybe take her for an extra walk or work with her on a new trick or command. Interacting with her will not only be good for her, but it will also help you start the healing process.

Some people find getting another dog helpful. It helps to keep them occupied so that they don't fall into a funk or a vicious cycle of depression. It may help them to remember their deceased dog by giving another dog a loving home (especially if their old dog was a rescue too). Some people need the time to grieve and getting another dog right away is not only not helpful, but can actually lead to resentment towards the new dog. Only you will know when or if it will be the right time to bring home another dog.

Answer 4

I am so sorry for you and your sheepdog. I have had animals my whole life and have lost several over the years. I'm not sure if this is your first time with this experience, but it is no different from losing a human family member. You have to give yourself permission and time to grieve your dog's loss and try to remember all the time you were fortunate enough to have with him. Try to spend extra time with your sheepdog and maybe take some trips to the doggy park if you have one close so he can try to make new friends. You know him best and will be able to make the best decision if and when you both are ready to adopt another dog into your family. It sounds like you were in shock at first and things have just hit you finally. Just rest assured that you are normal and any animal lover will tell you that. My thoughts are with you and the rest of your family.

Answer 5

That is so hard. Our 16 year old schnauzer died a few years ago and I thought my husband would never get over that. After a few weeks I started researching breeders of schnauzers in the area and 4 months later brought a new addition to our home. At first, my husband had very little to do with her but now he admits that was the best thing I could have done. The second dog was a different sex and a little bit different color. Personality is also very different. We have since added another as a partner to that one. I know it's hard for you as well as your other pet. Give it some time, write the date on your calendar as a remembrance, then look at what you want to do from here. I kept telling myself, "he's just a dog..." but that sure doesn't work. They are certainly more than 'just a dog' to us, aren't they?

Answer 6

I know it sucks.... its horrible. I am dreading it for all my current pets, even just thinking about it brings me to tears. The worst part is when you put them in the ground, it just seems so wrong to throw dirt over someone you loved so much and spent every day with... I can tell you the pain will fade with time but it will never go away completely... you will cry you will miss them when something reminds you of things they used to do it will bring a tear to your eye forever after. The bets thing to do is put all your energy into spending the time you have with your other dog, she needs you I am sure she misses him too. I also suggest you do something in his memory it really really helps.. you could volunteer at a shelter, foster some dogs that need love until they can find a home, donate money time or love to other animals at the pound in memory of your dog. You could become a volunteer at the shelter and walk the dogs anything that would be a tribute to dogs just like him who are sitting at the pound/shelter waiting to find a forever home where they can get the same kind of love you gave to your dog. It will make you feel better in a way you will be bringing joy to dogs who didnt know the kind of life your dog had, and that is something that will in a way give back to your dog what he gave to you... all the love and companionship he had from you is still there for you to give, and there are dogs out there who desperately need it.

Answer 7

HI, I'm so sorry for your loss. Yes just when you think you have things under control you loose it. I've been there too. Its a very had thing to lose a best friend and constant companion. You will get better in time and then you will remember all the good times and good thing your did with your buddy. Your other dog will be confused because his friend is gone. I had this happen to me also. My younger Golden was so close to my oldest Golden here. Once he passed my Baily went into a deep depression for a few days. Looked all over the house for him and the yard. Broke my heart. The only thing I could do was to get another pup as soon as I could. Thank goodness one of my best Golden friends had pups available from a recent litter. Made arrangement to go see the pups I picked one out and he was home with us in a few weeks. My older pup was so happy to have a buddy again.
The Dog in my Avatar is my older pup Bailey and his best buddy now is Ty my younger Golden.
Good luck and God Bless!

Answer 8

I'm so very sorry for your loss. Give yourself a little time to grieve, then check out the local animal shelters (maybe take your sheep dog with you) and look for a dog that is in need of your love and companionship. You can never replace a pet, but you can save a pets life and gain a new relationship that may be just as great as your last one. Just make sure your current dog is agreeable to the new addition. Good luck and I'll be praying for you. I'm so sorry.

Answer 9

My dog died 9 months ago of old age. She was 18! I actually "adopted" her after my mom died....I found the dog when I was 16! I was soooo devastated. I was depressed/sad for quite some time. I still cry when I remember what a great friend/pet she had been. I will tell you that it is perfectly normal to feel sad and to cry at this painful time. Your dog was part of your family and the loss will be like losing a friend. Give yourself time to grieve and if after a few weeks, if you do not feel better, maybe consider "talking" with a professional...as they are trained to treat depression of any sort. I wish you the best and am so sorry for your loss.

Answer 10

I'm so sorry for your loss. Your feelings are normal and the only thing I can tell you is that you won't forget your dog but the sadness and pain you are feeling will subside in time.

I have always been a two-dog owner and my remaining dog when one dies has always been either confused or depressed. In one case, the other dog settled into being a single dog after a few days quite well. The next time, the single dog was very depressed and we ended up getting another dog again sooner than expected because he was so lonely (it ended up helping us too, though it was sooner than we had planned).

So give it time, let your feelings play out, understand that your remaining dog is sorting it out too and give her all the comfort she needs and she'll give it back.