How do you cope with the death of your dog?

Question

My beloved dog, Charlie, died a week ago and I cannot stop crying about it and thinking about it. He was a true and loyal friend to our family for over 17 years. I miss him so much! He was funny and loving and there's a big hole in my heart right now. Have you ever been in this situation and, if so, what did you do?

Answer 1

Dealing with the loss of a pet is never easy. You will never be able to replace Charlie, but maybe if you get a new dog, it will make you feel a little better. Here is a little something that I think is really sweet that I figured I would share:

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 2

You do get in love with dogs, specially after such a long time. Sometimes all you do is remember them by any little thing you see, or just thinking if there was something you could have done.

I'm really sorry about your loss.

When my beloved Buddy had to leave us (me and some other animals I have to take care of) I was torturing myself by thinking if I could've done something to save him. I work half time as a vet and he had a tumor.

With time, I came to realize I had done everything I could for him. So, instead of just asking yourself the same question over and over again, think of him as waiting for you at the other side of the rainbow.

Once, I read a poem, curiously right after Buddy died, that said that all dogs wait for us at the other side of the rainbow, and that when we die, we go and see them again, for they were waiting for us to play together between the stars.

It made me think as if when the sun, moon and stars is shining, it's Buddy, remembering me that he's waiting for me.

Now, almost 1 year after his death, I have finally gotten another dog. This new friend is called "Faithful" and curiously he reminds me a lot of Buddy in the ways he behaves.

It's normal to cry a lot, or at least to be depressed. Give yourself time, after a while, that big hole in your heart will start to mend. With time you will be able to get another dog and you will be able to love him.

Don't get another dog right now, you may risk hating it because since Charlie's passing away is so recent, you may feel as if you're replacing him. Give yourself some time.

Try thinking as if he is in a place where he'll be really happy and have lots of friends and people that love him. Also think that he'll be waiting for you, but that he doesn't wants you to be sad.

Sorry about your loss again, and good luck!

Answer 3

Sorry. It's very hard to lose someone you're close to but it will get easier. Don't think about getting another animal until you're ready. For me, it was remembering all the good times and really I think one day we'll see our pets again. There's an old episode of the Twilight Zone where an old man and his dog die. The old man comes to a gate and gatekeeper and he's sure it's Heaven but the dog starts barking. The gatekeeper tells him that he can't take to dog inside and the old man won't go in if his dog can't get in. So they walk on and run into another guy who turns out to be Saint Peter and after the old man tells him the story, Saint Peter replies "It's funny but people will walk into Hell with there eyes open but even the Devil himself can't fool a dog." Sure, you're going to be sad for a while but it's ok. Hope this helps.

Answer 4

the pain is so bad......i know, i was too in a situation like this, my point is that no matter how hard it is you have to accept that what comes goes away too...this has happened to me a lot of times...but i have recently realized that if i get a new dog then all my attention goes towards that dog and i dont think about my dogs that have died,it seems hard toget used to the dog but it all turns out well, a new dog will surely fill the hole in your heart
*dont think about charlie too much sweetie, that will cause you more pain.....love
akanksha

**lost over 6 dogs over the years each of them had a special place in my heart and will never be forgotten...if it wasnt for oldage, all of them would have remained with me.....

Answer 5

I am so sorry to hear about your best friend Charlie. My heart goes out to you. I know that this might sound a little insensitive but for some people getting another dog, not to replace the last but to fill the empty void might help. It certainly would do the trick for me. You would of course always miss and think of Charlie but you would have another little life to help keep you busy!! Time heals!

Answer 6

To let you know the reality, there's NO feasible option to get yourself equipped for the sort of terrible factor. I learned my loved puppy Jake had Lymphoma. Only 4days after identifying he had melanoma, I had him positioned down. And even to nowadays I want I could have performed some thing special. That used to be approximately 6-7yrs in the past. I dont consider there's besides to equipped your self or recover from the sort of loss. All I can let you know is that something I do remorse is that I didnt spend allot of time with him and I want I would have him again....Darn, I'm tearing up simply contemplating him. He used to be my exceptional pal, and my exceptional puppy ever and I will not ever in my existence overlook him or get one other puppy that could be like him. I wish that to your case it is going to be less complicated, and I wish the exceptional for you and your puppy and something it's that can occur in your exceptional pal I wish that you're in a position to transport on along with your existence. Much Love!

Answer 7

It took me a year before I could get another pet. My "Maggie" was 16 when we had to put her down. I was a basket case. What you are experiencing is very normal; after all, you just lost a beloved member of your family. My heart goes out to you.

Answer 8

I am so sorry for your loss! One of our labs died of parvo a couple months ago and It's just getting better for me. I still cry sometimes. It takes a while to start getting better. I couldn't get another one like everyone else says because I feel like I'm just trying to replace her and not giving myself time to mourn. Maybe just wait a while then see if you want another one.

Answer 9

I have never lost a dog not yet anyway but i can it would be very hard to do... most people i know that have lost one they went out and got a new little guy and this seemed to help them

Answer 10

Get a new puppy. The saddest thing about having & loving pets is when they die. Unfortunately, we outlive them, but if you keep your cherished memories in your heart, they'll live on with you in your memories forever. Fall in love with a new puppy & pay it forward.