What is the process after your dog has died?

Question

I start to really cry when I think about this. I've had my dog since she was 2 months old and I've had her everyday of my life for 11 1/2 years. Now I've been often dreaming of my dog dying and so I'm wondering what is the process you go through after your dog died?

I know one day I'll come home from work and see my dog lying there. So what do I do afterwards?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Plus this is the only living organism I've ever loved in life. Not even my own mother.

My girl is a Shih Tzu

Answer 1

Not loving any other only living organism in your life not even your mother?
I'm sorry but that says a lot about you.
What goes around comes around.

Loving an animal is not a substitute to loving or being loved by a human. Its complimentary.
I suggest get involved in children's causes were the time you spend with needy children will give you a better sense of worth and a jolt to your priorities.

Answer 2

This really depends on where you live and how much money you have. If you have some land to bury her on or a firend with a large outdoor space who would be willing to let you bury her there, then you ask the friend NOW if when the time comes, you could do that. Then you find a special cloth, blanket or somthing to put her in and bury her.

If you don't then you can call your Vet and ask how they handle dog's for burial or cremation. Having a dog put to slepp and then cremated can run about $200-$300. You can either ask for the ashes back so you can scatter or bury them or you can let it go. Once your dog has died, you know their little spirit has left the body and it is now just a shell that feels no pain. Don;t be too hung up on their empty shell body. Spend every minute with her now. When you know she is ready to go, you might want to have your Vet put her down with you there. It is a very sad thing but it is fast and they jsut go to sleep softly. I also have a dog that is getting close to the end and it breaks my heart to think of living without her in my life and my home every day. She has been a noble companion and I will miss her dearly.

Tell her how much you love her.

Answer 3

First -- you might not come home to a dead dog. You might come home to a dying dog -- one in pain from arthritus or other ailments. You'll take the dog to the vet who will explain what your dog is going through. And you'll have to decide what to do.

Some dogs die at home like you described, but every animal I've had has died at the vet. 1 had been hit by a car and had a broken back. 4 others were old or incurably sick.

it breaks your heart no matter what.

You'll cry. Probably a lot. If you take your dog to the vet, you'll hold her while she dies. You might not be crying when you walk in, but you'll be crying before she dies. And you'll cry all the way home.

And when you write letters like this, or when you see a movie where a dog dies, you'll tear up.

But you move on. You get another dog, and you love that dog. Not the same as your first dog -- it's a different dog. And maybe you'll tell your new dog about your first dog, and he'll look at you as if he understands, then lick your tears for you.

What I've started doing is having 2 dogs. It still hurts when you lose one -- and the remaining dog is lonely, too. But at least then you still have a coat of fur to cry into. Then you wait a while. But one day, you and your dog go out and find another puppy to bring home.

And the cycle continues.

Answer 4

You will probably go through the same stages of grief that they say everyone goes through when someone close to them dies: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance.

Everybody deals with it differently. Don't listen to the idiots that tell you "It was just a dog. Go get another one" You have to deal with the grief on your own terms.

Some people join support groups to help get through it. Some people go out and get another dog right away. Some people get a dog identical in appearance to their previous one; some get one that is totally different. Some people hold onto the dog's leash, collar, bowl, etc. and don't let any other pet use it. Some people have their pet cremated and keep the ashes. Whatever helps you to cope is fine.

With a lot of dogs, they just get old and feeble. So instead of coming home and finding your dog lying there, you may be faced with the decision of euthanizing. It's a difficult decision, but it's one that needs to be made for your dog. If she's suffering, has lost the quality of life she once had, and there is no hope of her getting better, then you have the ability to end that suffering for her. Again, different people deal with that differently. Some have the vet come to the house, some drop the dog off at the vet's office and leave, some stay with the dog until the end. Whatever feels right to you is what you should do.

Your dog is still fairly young for a small breed. I currently have a 40 pound mixed breed that's 16 years old. So this is something you shouldn't dwell on too much. Enjoy the time you have with your dog and hug her every day.

Answer 5

First off, value her more than you've ever valued her. Show your little bundle of fur that you love her. Play with her often, feed her more treats! Everything will be alright. You'll be happy to know she died happily when her time comes. You can bury her in your backyard so you can see her everyday and you can spend more time with her than burying her in a pet cemetery.

Don't ignore your dog when you see her holding a toy in front of your nose. Show her you care about what she wants to do and you don't think she's just "a plain ol' dog that nobody cares about". Cuddle with her and talk to her! They understand you by the tone of your voice.

Let her have kids so she can have little companions to play with when you're at work. Get her a partner and when they both pass, bury them together and you'll know that they're up in the clouds playing fetch and looking at you smiling.

It will make you feel more organized and less stressed when the time comes if you organize it right now. Buy her burial plot, carve her stone, engrave a plaque in your home to her. Hide all that stuff away in the garage until the time comes. Looking at it often will make you even more depressed that your furball will go someday. SO make sure you do not look at it often.

Communicate with her and tell her how you feel. Turn the television on for her so she can watch it. Treat her like a normal human being. She'll appreciate it!

Answer 6

Well My cat didn't actually die, not that I know of, she ran outside when someone left the door open and has been gone since June. I was so depressed, I cried and cried - was depressed for a few weeks, but day by day I'd start smiling again - going on with life. I still miss her soooo much and if I sit there and think about it hard enough I start crying for her, I still have memories and pictures but I miss her so much. The good thing that came out of it was while looking for her, we went to the humane society shelter almost everyday and found 2 new kitties to bring home. I try to look at it as: She ran away but in the process she saved 2 kittens from being put to sleep. And I like to think of it that way. Speaking about her now is choking me up, but you'll never get over it. That's your best friend just treasure the time you have with her now and let her live the best life you can give her. Time doesn't heal all but she'll be in your memories forever.

Answer 7

The celebration of your dog's life should occur before she dies. By giving her the love she needs and the comfort she wants.
What often happens is, as a pet grows old, it doesn't provide the physical stimulus the owner enjoys, so the pet gets neglected. Can you say you are paying as much attention to her as did you when she was dashing around the place, always wanting to play? Maybe more? If so, then when the pet dies, you will have much less less guilt and confusion, allowing for grieving.
Someone above offered that you should go ahead and grieve. Sure. This is a loved one who is sharing your life and probably has given you unconditional love.
Consider that the love you received from her should give you the longing to seek out others who may love you the same way... if the dog is wise, then her love will lead you to a path where you can try to love a human or two, or five.

Answer 8

I think the picture idea is wonderful. My boyfiriend did the same for me when my dog passed away; he took the full picture that is used as my avatar and put it in a frame for me. It made me a little sad since the pain was still raw, but the sentiment was so wonderful and I almost find comfort in looking at it now. Otherwise, if your boyfriend is really grieving, I would say give him a little space at first. Part of the early stages of the grieving process is denial, so he possibly needs time to just let it sink in. But be there for him, because he will need your comfort and consolation also. Besides that, you sound like a very good girlfriend to him and that should help him a lot in the end. I'm sorry for the loss. Good luck.

Answer 9

first of all, back up a little bit and love her NOW, there's no reason to worry about her dying, ok? I recommend giving your dog a more expensive, premium food, not the $10 a bag kind. The food I buy for my dogs is around $60. I also have them on a multi-vitamin. Yeah, it gets expensive but who really cares. I have noticed a big change in all areas of their health.

Here's a pretty good recource for a multi

http://www.kalahealth.com/

and here's a link to a pretty good dog food, better than anything you'll find in the stores.

http://www.evopet.com/products/default.asp?panel=ga&id=1491

You can type the name of the food into google and find a fair price. At least in my opinion it's fair. I believe on regular, cheap, store bought food, a dog can live to about 18 but will most likely develope diabetes. With the food I have recommended, there is alittle chance of diabetes developing and the dog will live much longer. I guess that's your choice.

The dog's going to obviously die someday but like I said, there's no reason to think about that now. When the time comes, all you can do is bury her where you choose. If you have to replace her, that's ok too especially because you sound like you'd be a pretty great dog ower/dad. Other than that, cry until you can't cry anymore. That's what I'll do. There's nothing worse than losing the one you love the most. I can't imagine, that's why I don't. Bye

Answer 10

The bigger the Breed of Dog the shorter their Lifespan . A German Shepherd usually lives for 12 1/2- 14 years, while a small Dog can live to 19 1/2 - 20 years. The average age for most Dogs is 15- 16 Years. A relative of mine had a small collie Dog who lived to 20 years old, and it had a number of Strokes minor ones for a few years before it died.It got so old its Teeth were bad and it was nearly blind so my Relative decided because its Health was Failing and in Pain to have the Vet Put it to Sleep for good and they Buried it in the back Garden, and Prayers were said as they had two Children.I have had Dogs all my Life and my own Dog is coming to the End it is a 12 1/2 Year old German Shepherd and might possibly live for another Year or so . It has Arthritis in back Legs, and lumps and bumps . If his Health Deteriorates to much I will have to have him put to sleep, and then I will bury him in back Garden. It does be very sad when they go and each time I say never again will I get a Dog, I cant stand all this Angst over again.With your Shih Tzu you should have it for another 4 Years all going well barring Ailments and then you will have to make a decision depending on its Health. Good Luck.

Answer 11

The week my dog died was the saddest week of my life without exception.She had been a great friend and companion for fourteen and a half years. She died a week before I was due to move to a new house 60 miles away.I had a box made by the local undertaker,I groomed her and brushed her coat and wrapped her in a hand embroidered antique Indian silk counterpane, which was then wrapped in bubble plastic and she was placed in her favourite sleeping position on her right hand side.She was a very special dog, the sort that only comes once in a lifetime, so she was brought to my new house and buried a few feet from the house where I can see her spot in one of the flower beds. I think of her every day even though it was three years ago and I am in tears while typing this. She will never be forgotten. I had to get another dog soon after and felt disloyal but I know she would have wanted me to give a good home to another animal. Only a dog owner who has lost a special friend can understand how you feel.When the time comes treat your dog with the greatest love and respect and you will have nothing to reproach yourself with, don't let it suffer in any way towards the end.Keep a nice photo of happy times.Best of luck to you.