Pet bereavement?

Question

hi..


ermm..i lost my spaniel to cancer about 6 months ago and im finding it hard becuase he was my first friend and my first memory!

I cant tell anyone because they would just think im being stupid becuase it was over half a year ago...

My mums looking to get a another shih tzu but i already find it hard with one and i feel as though im almost forgetting my old dogs memory..do you think anotherlittle dog will help? I don't know!

Thanks

Answer 1

I completely understand how you feel. I just lost my 'baby' a couple of weeks ago, and it's really hard.
I'm sorry for your loss.
I think you should get another dog. It won't be replacing your spaniel, but it sure will find another special place in your heart. It's okay to find another puppy! That's what your spaniel would want you to do.
Good luck.

Answer 2

I'm very sorry for your loss and just so you'll know, you are NOT being stupid. You have lost a very dear friend and it doesn't matter if it was a dog, it is a significant loss.
Only you can decide if the time is right to get another dog. I will say this though, you remember how much joy your friend brought to you? Another can also bring much joy and laughter into your life. Maybe not in the same exact way but in their own way, and that's not a bad thing. Like people, dogs are individual creatures and each have their own personality. You can benefit from the companionship of an new friend as well as your old one. Don't think of it as trying to replace a lost companion, but rather in honor of him because he is the one who taught you what a joy a dog can be.

Answer 3

I lost a cat last week the same way, I'd had her for five years and it was such a shock. You have to remember that cats are very independent creatures and love to explore so there is no way you could've prevented it. I'm sure he was much happier being allowed to have adventures in the great outdoors than he would've been if you had kept him as a house cat. Get a picture of him from happier times, have it enlarged and framed and put it somewhere where you will always see it, we've done this with a pic of the one I've just lost and it makes you feel a lot better because as long as that pic is within sight, you will always remember him. Give your other two cats lots of fuss and attention as they will have picked up that all is not right and need your support to let them know that they haven't done anything wrong. Take care x

Answer 4

Well, as you know, you cannot bring back the one who is gone. The best you can do is remember the fun times and be happy for the good times you had together. Another thing that helps is to pick a favorite picture and frame it and keep it where you can see if often.

It will always be a little bit sad, but it is just a part of life. Getting a new pet may help you, as you won't be so lonely anymore. Sometimes it is hard, but new ones often bring more happy memories and are great friends too.

Best of luck and I hope you feel better soon.

Answer 5

dont ever feel stupid about being upset over the lose of your dog. they are family no matter how you look at it. i have gone though this more times than i care to remember and i can tell you that a new dog will never replace you old one. but if you loved your first dog that much that it still hurts, why not share that love with a new dog, give a new dog a great life like you did the last one and before you know it the pain of your lose will diminish and the memories will always be there...

Answer 6

It's NOT stupid to still miss your pet. I cry every now and then for my cat who died almost 4 years ago.


Go here:
http://www.aplb.org/

Read about animal heaven (a choice from the column on the left).

After my cat died, I did get a new cat (from an animal shelter! A 5 year-old cat. . .) and it helped. Of course, no dog can ever be a replacement, but realize that you can make room for another dog to love in your heart. It won't be disrespecting the memory of your spaniel to love another dog - he'd be proud of you for taking care of another animal.

I did feel that I was forgetting my cat. Try and think about your dog and the fun things or little quirks about him. Do something to help you cope - write a poem, get a nice picture of him framed, give a donation in his name to a pet cancer research group. . .anything.

It's good that you still miss your dog, since it shows how much you loved him. Don't be ashamed.

Answer 7

As hard as it might be for you to imagine having another dog right now, giving a home and your love to another dog might be the best way to honour your lost friend.

There are thousands of dogs out there that need homes and love. You can't do anything more for the dog you loved, except to honour his memory by giving his "slot" to another dog in need. Usually these aren't "puppies" (except that every dog is a puppy inside, just like every man is a boy and every woman is a girl.) They've often been neglected, sometimes even abused -- best case scenario, they're confused and depressed at having been abandoned. You can take them in and make their lives special again.

We've done this many times over the years, rescuing over a dozen dogs. We keep and love each one we take in for the rest of their lives -- and when they're gone, we give their slot to another dog that needs a home right away. There's so much need out there -- and you'd be surprised how quickly you will learn to love another dog -- especially when your whole reason for adopting him is to honour the memory of your friend who has passed away.

Answer 8

First off, I am so sorry to hear about your loss. It is so difficult to lose a pet. I lost Bear 4 years ago and I still think about him everyday. Its definitely not stupid to feel sad still. If I were you, I would talk to my mom about it, and maybe sometime you will feel that getting another dog is right. Don't feel stupid for missing a loved one. Good luck to you!

Answer 9

i DON'T THINK YOU WILL EVER FORGET YOUR FIRST DOG.
i DID FIND IT HELPFUL WHEN i LOST MY DOG TO GET ANOTHER. jUST REMEMBER IT ISN'T TO REPLACE THE OLD ONE AND IT WILL PROBABLY HAVE A DIFFERENT PERSONALITY.
BRING IT UP AS AN INDIVIDUAL DON'T EXPECT OH MY OLD ONE DID THIS AND THIS ONES SO DUMB OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. jUST LIKE PEOPLE THEY ARE ALL DIFFERENT.
SPEND TIME WITH THE NEW PUP AND GET NEW MEMMORIES BUT i'M SURE YOU WILL NOT FORGET TEH OLD MEMORIES.