My heart is hurting! How can I cope with the worst Christmas present I have ever received?

Question

On Christmas day I lost my lovely dog that had been with me for over 12 years. I know that its not the end of the world and thank God my loved ones are good. I am just having a hard time adjusting to his absence. I got him when I was 10 years old. He was sweet, spoiled and most the memorable; he kissed you and cried when you cried. He was a huge part of me and my family. I know he is just a dog, but it sure hurts.

I really dont mean "just a dog", because he sure wasn't just a dog, he was like my child. I am so appreciative of all the answers, I am so glad there is people who can understand and share their lovely support. I truly appreciate it. Thanks Everyone. God Bless!

Answer 1

I completely understand. My heart goes out to you, it hurts to lose a loved one. He is NOT just a dog, he was your family and you are completely justified in feeling the way you do.. My condolences, maybe you could make a memorial to him?

Answer 2

oh i am sooo sorry, i was looking for a question on here and then i came across this and it made me feel like crying, dogs are so close to us and it is so sad when they die. mourn his death, man im actually really chocked up especially how you wrote 'i lost my lovely Dog'

i am so sorry and i know that only time can ease your pain, do what ever comforts you whether it is being with family, talking to his grave or similiar or religion. you have had him for so long and it just must really hurt, i cried when the dog in 'i am legend' died and that is just a film, dogs are such great companions to us and i really wish i had, had a dog as a child and i will be defenitly getting one when im older and got my own place.

i really really wish you all my sympathy and hope you will begin to remember the good times and not feel so sad, maybe one day when you are ready you can get a dog again but make sure you have finished grieving and it is not to 'replace' your dog, but for now i wish you hopefully a kind of happy new year and that you be happy you had such good times with him and what a good life he must have had. That first sentence still makes me cry

Answer 3

I know how you feel and am so sorry for your loss. The bond that you had together will always be there and the memories you have will always be precious. I too have gone through losing a dear pet. He passed away years ago and I still look beside me hoping to see him there. We got him when he was a year old and he walked with me to school every day, from elementary school and past high school. he would wait for me right by the door till i came home. And he slept beside me every night. He was faithful, in my high school years, as he was old and gray he still insisted on walking with me though arthritis was causing him pain. I would call when i got there so my parents would come pick him up. a couple years after I graduated, i went out to my aunts to ride horse for the week end and came home to learn that he had been run over and my dad had to end his suffering. The guilt I felt was immense. I guess deep down I knew he was in a better place, as he was by then blind and deaf. No other animal has ever replaced him and never will. here I am a grown woman, and right now i'm wiping tears away in his memory.

Answer 4

I'm sorry for your loss, I don't really know how to tell you to cope, I just lost a dog that was like my child back in March, and I still cry over her.I had her for 10yrs, and I got her when I was 11...I got her on Christmas day and this Christmas was the first time not to have her around, and I sat and cried off and on all day over her...So I think just like with human deaths, it takes time, and even with time the pain won't go away or the will the memories, so hang on to the memories and just know that YOU will see him again...

Answer 5

I lost my "baby boy" on valentines day 2006. I'd had him for a little more than 10 years and I think it will take that long to get over it. It's hard because most people do have the attitude of "it was just a dog", and that in it's self is very hurtful, but the time will come when you smile more than you cry when thinking of him. Do not try to replace him no matter what anyone says, you really do need to grieve.

Answer 6

not just a dog, to us dog lovers, your best friend. i know how badly your hurting, and your right it's not the end of the world, but it sure feels like it. take some time, look at pictures, make a memorial(that's what i did when my wolves died). heck light a candle in his honor. you may consider a new puppy or an older dog from a shelter, they can help fill the void, and you can make new memories. i have no idea what i would do without the 3 we have, i would be lost, not knowing what to do, at bedtime or anything. i am sorry for your loss, god bless you and your beloved friend. hugs and kisses to you!

Answer 7

i completely understand too because ive lost 2 close friends.They were pets ,but was nice to me even though i scared them sometimes on accident...... I really know how you feel when you lose some1 or something so close to you if feels as if half your heart has been ripped off or sliced away.....

You have to get over it though many other dogs need homes as well as other animals they would make great company for you .. YOU might boo me......... but trust me they (pets&animals) need homes too and I know it hurts ,but well my cousin got a need rabbit and ever since it replace the old rabbit and of course im not saying names or gender and trust me she still misses the old rabbit ,but the new one helps alot plus the new one now has a new life ..............

i know its is going to hurt forever try getting a new pet it might bring backmaybe instead of one half still there you could have 3/4 of the heart instead,but that 1/4 will always stay there!!! trust me ! it will help you...... 12 years is long ,but its best to give another animal a chance in your heart too!! You could get someone like his personality


My cousin was sad and she new that the pet was gone and could never come back to life so she had them turned to ashes and each had a seperate box its wooden and was engraved with it's name ,nickname,year they had it to what year it died

If you have any photos of the dog make a memorial photo album of all the pictures of the dog with who ever you can make nice designs and maybe a special page about your dog and info about the dog or your dog so you will never forget what your dog looks like and if you have video clips of your dog turn it into one video so you'll see what he looks like,sounds like, and its favorite activities..

it really feels close and if you have a hard time sharing it i want you to type it on yahoo answers so people on yahoo can help you just like people who voted,answered,and read the question and answers or share your feelings about your dog to someone that is close to you ...... I'm really sorry to hear about your dog

its sounds in your question /story that your dog was very close to you...... I hope you post your question up again ...if you are feeling bad email [e-mail] =)

Answer 8

i under stand my dog just passed away in nov. the day after his birthday, he was 13 i miss him so much talk to God, thats what i did but remember hes always with you sometimes i can still hear him around his name was Dakota, but it was the time for ur dog to meet God like Jesus met him that day too everything happens for a reason i got my dog when i was 6 mo. old so i practitly know him my whole life, well i hope everything works out 4 for and ur family, dont say he was just a dog cuz he was a great person ur BFF but know hes in a better place now im SO sorry 4 your loss maybe you could get a another dog that what i did and i feel a little better talk to God he a great man he'll help you with it he did with me!

Answer 9

Pet loss is hard at any time but it is hardest around the holidays when everything is supposed to be joyous. He was not only a dog, he was your friend, confidant and companion. I've included a link to some poems that have helped others. Be sure to read Rainbow Bridge. It has brought comfort to many other grieving pet owners and is a particular favorite of mine.

I lost my kitty just a year ago and I still miss her. My heart goes out to you.

Answer 10

I know how upset you feel - a dog is a companion, who shares a special place in your life.
My friend's Mum died at 5AM Christmas morning, she was old and ill but your Mum is special however old or ill she is, again there is a special place for her.
Three years ago to this day, my best friend died suddenly, she had a heart condition no one, including her, knew about. She kissed her son good bye, left him with his Daddy and went to work. She parked her car, got out and her heart stopped.
I miss her so much even now but life must go on, and it does. You will get the strength from somewhere - God helps me too.
We have to learn how to deal with loss and death. It is as much a part of life as birth.
Thanks for sharing, I hope it helped.
Best wishes
XOXOXO

Answer 11

I'm sorry for you and your dog. The good news is you had 10 good years. The bad news is nothing lasts forever. 12 years is generally the life expectancy of many dogs, but things do happen. I don't think your dog would have wanted you sad, everything is alright for it now. There is another dog somewhere that needs you. Hope this helps.