My 13year old dog hasnt got long left...?

Question

I dont know how Im going to cope when shes gone, I have never lost something so special to me before. Has anyone got any tips for when she does pass away, how I can cope with her death? Ty.

Answer 1

If you end up having to put her down, I strongly suggest you stay in the room with her.

Even if you don't put her down, keep her with you as often as you can. Being present during her death, while painful, is sometimes the most healthy way to finalize the situation and help cope with the death afterward.

I'm sorry to hear about this. Losing a friend is always so hard, but you two WILL meet again.

It would be an honor to your dog if you donated a small amount of money to a local shelter in her name. Some shelters honor this in very special ways, whether it be a plaque for the dog or naming a shelter dog after your dog.

Don't rush into getting a new dog too quickly either. Give yourself time to grieve and go with what YOU feel is right. There is no "right" or "wrong" way to deal with a death. There is only what works for you.

Here's a hug and God bless!

Answer 2

Barking and whining when you leave is a sign of seperation anxiety and needs to be fixed before leaving your dog for extended periods of time. If not, this can lead to extreme anxiety (destructive behavior, excessive urinating, more barking, more whining). A dog younger than 12 months really should not be left alone for more than 5 hours. Period. Get her a doggy pen and set her crate up inside of it so that she has roam room and an area to pee/poop, if need be, that will not interfere with her natural instinct to stay away from soiled areas. Or you can set aside a puppy safe room (free of electrical chords or things that can harm her). Leave some water and a kong full of something yummy (unsweetened applesauce is something my dog loves). Have a trusted friend or neighbor sit with her for a good hour somewhere in between when you leave and return so that she's not left to her own devices for the full 8 hours. Finally, excercise! When someone else watches your pet they're more likely to watch a calm and pooped out pup than a hyper active, over anxious, puppy. Work your way up to 8 hours until she is old enough to handle these long periods of alone time (some dogs can handle it at a year...others it may take longer). Good luck.

Answer 3

I have been through so many deaths of dogs that it hurt so bad to see them go. From experiance I found that getting a puppy instantly helps a great deal and also talking about her alot and laughing about the nutty things shes done. If she hasnt had a litter i strongly suggest that you get the puppy before she passes, she will more likely mother it and will get to experiance being a mother and make her have a sence to hang on longer, my rottweiler lived two extra years because we got a pup and he was so so happy to love and treasure something new. It also felt good to have him approve of the new pup and also they new pup will pick up happits of the older dog. I really strongly suggest this. Going without anything makes it so so much harder and you cant have a quiet house. Its way too sad. I know nothing could replace your angel but having a new breed and a new personality helps alot. What also helps is blowing up a huge picture of your dog and putting it on your wall so she would be around in some way. Without having her face around constantly or pictures up breakes your heart alot worse. I feel so sorry for you, I hope you will be ok.

Answer 4

I would say,just hang on to all the good things that have happened with her,all the joy she has given you!!!
It is not easy people who dont have dogs,dont understand but they are appart of your family. The hurt when they have gone is so strong and will stay with you for a long time and will never really go.
Remeber she is a very good age,and that she has only got to that age because of all the love and care you have given her!!!
You should be happy that she has been with you so long,and I think of things that could of happened,ways of which you could of lossed her,a bad accident,a seriouse illness,in and out of vets many operations.These things all help with grief of your loved pet!She has has not suffered in any way, so she will be leaving you the best way she can,of natural causes !!!
No suffering!!! I know it sounds a bit sudden now,A very good way to get over grief aswell is to go and get another one.It will never replace her,but will give you the company that you will so miss,and I think dogs are the best comany.
There are lots of dogs at rescue centres that are crying out for a loving home were they will loved a cared and that you can give such a great home like you have your one now!!!

Answer 5

I know how you feel. I've been fortunate to have had several WONDERFUL fuzzy friends in my life. Everyone of them was special in some way. I still cry for each one at some time or other. I try to celebrate their wonderful lives and don't dwell on their deaths. When someone asks about Oliver....I just say God needed him back....as I sit here crying.

The best thing you can do is get another dog. You don't love them more or less but special. The the new guy or girl will help to fill that giant hole that you have in the heart and the rescue groups are overloaded with loves that need homes. Even try getting 2 they are such good company for each other.

Answer 6

I'm so sorry. I've been through it several times. Allow yourself to grieve in any way that's right for you. Don't let anyone tell you that "It's just a dog."

The only thing I can tell you is that you will go on and time will eventually heal your grief. I've always ended up getting another dog at some point, sometimes sooner, sometimes later. Don't feel rushed to do anything because someone thinks you should. No other dog will replace the love you have for this dog. But time has a funny way of allowing yourself to be open to a new dog - and the heart has a way of expanding to allow another one in, when you are ready.

Answer 7

I have a dog who is 11 years old, and I do worry about when he passes away. I do understand how you feel. He is like family to me. No one can cope with death to be honest, we are though thinking of having our dog cremated (burned) and keep the ashes in a urn or having it stuffed, but will be expensive. Thing is if you bury it in your back garden, its always going to be on show and remind you so you dont want that. My grandad died and i got over that in a day but we will never know until it happens with our dog. Your dog is at a age where exercise is really important, dogs are also lactose intolerent, not many people know that so please don't feed them any kind of involvement with milk. Love, good food and lots of exercise makes us live longer.

Answer 8

I It would be nice if you could maybe video her & take lots of pictures & make an album just for her; so that you can always go & look at them. You WILL get a new pet, but if you're still on the work-force, go for a pair, so they won't get so lonesome while you're gone; even if it's a pair of talking birds.
Our dogs DO get lonesome when we're gone so long, too. You can love 2 just as much as you can love one. My last one, out of the original four, is 15 1/2, so I will face all this again, also, but even though it hurts, one just can't help them-selves, because they are each so Special. Make that Album.

Answer 9

I know it's difficult, dogs become our best friends. You get used to seeing them in the morning, their wagging tails when you come home from work or shopping, and the way they know when you're hurt or upset. Losing a dog is sometimes the hardest thing to go through, because they are with you all of the time and share many great experiences with you. Just remember that you gave your dog 13+ wonderful years of life and companionship. Many people run out and get a puppy before the older dog passes away, and I don't recommend that. This is your dogs golden years, and he/she deserves to be loved and given all of the attention until they pass. Once this happens keep yourself busy, and once you stop crying when you think of fido, decide if you are ready for another k9 companion.

Answer 10

Losing a beloved pet is very difficult. I remember when I had to put my dog to sleep. I had a wonderful vet that allowed me to hold my dog and talk to him until the very end.

One of the things that helped me cope is I made a scrapbook in memory of him with pictures throughout his life and I wrote about him so I would never forget. I also asked family and close friends that knew him well to tell me what they loved about him too and added that to the scrapbook. It is nice to know that I can still look at the scrapbook now and remember just how wonderful he was.

I also have his dog collar hanging from my rear view mirror in my car.

He was and always will be my very best friend.