Venting Lost My Dog Today. Feeling Extreme Heartache

[RedPanda]

So today i lost my dog that i had for 6 years. It was one of the toughest decisions ever to decide to euthanize her. I've been crying the entire day and i'm really struggling to deal with this loss. How do you deal with the loss of a pet? I'm feeling extremely sad and down right now. I felt like this forum might be a good place to vent since a lot of us talk about loss.

 

[greencoat111]

I'm so so sorry for the loss of your dog. It's one of the most painful losses that there ever is. I had to have my dog put to sleep last month aswell and still feel heart broken every day. I had a beautiful memorial necklace made of a photo of her and I wear it to help me to feel close to her. Once again I'm so sorry for your loss and feel free to message me if you ever want to chat

 

[Flippy]

That's really awful :-( I am so attached to my pet cat, I can only imagine how much of a shock it must be to loose your dog :-( I think you will start to heal with time and you will always have the memories of the time you had together :-) Nothing can take those away from you :-) It's probably little comfort right now, it just takes time.

 

[UninformedLover]

I'm sorry to hear you have lost someone so dear to you. These things don't come lightly. Last year I lost my cat Lucifer and I was so heartbroken. I cried endlessly for days and days.

At times like this - Its important to cherish and remember all the good times you had with your dog. Your dog isn't truly gone, she's still around- where she slept, her favorite spot to lay around, where she ate,where you took her for walks - her essence is still all around you. Where ever she is now I'm sure she is watching over you thinking how much of an amazing owner you are. You're in so much pain I understand this. Please just take it one day at a time.

 

[APharmaDestroyedLife]

How do you deal with the loss of a pet? I'm feeling extremely sad and down right now. I felt like this forum might be a good place to vent since a lot of us talk about loss.

Well...losing a dog is one of the hardest things a dog person can ever deal with. I often think Dogs make better friends than Humans, the only friend I have left in the world is my dog. I can't imagine losing him, and I can't imagine the pain you're in.

Like any loss, you take it 1 day at a time, sometimes that means taking it 1 minute at a time. Cherish the 6 years you had. You will never get over the loss of any person or animal you love, but you learn to live with the pain, and day by day it gets a tiny bit easier.

I am sure Making the choice to put your dog down was a hard choice for you. He/She must have been suffering, and in the end you put your dogs needs and comfort above your own needs. That is a very Brave thing to do.

I am so sorry for your loss, I can offer no words or advice that will make this easier.

Perhaps have a memorial service, give a eulogy, buy a memorial plaque - they make ones for pets that you can put their picture in with custom engraving. If you have a yard that has recently been wet and muddy, look for a paw print. Surround it with a small wooden frame then fill it with a few inches of cement , let it set for a day or 2 then gently pull up the cement and you will have a mold of their print. Keep their toys and blankets until you're ready to let them go.

Finally... Watch the movie.
"A Dogs Purpose"
And When the time comes... Rescue a new dog or puppy. You will not be replacing your lost pet, but building a new friendship, and your dog would want you to have that friendship.

 

[Ame]

Oh no...I'm so sorry that you lost someone so dear to you. Choosing to let a pet go so as to prevent them from suffering is perhaps one of the most difficult decisions one can take. It could not have been easy and I imagine that you loved your dog very much. Because you loved her over these last six years, it will likely take quite a while for the pain to subside and I hope that you will take good care of yourself as you mourn. I am sure that your dog would have wanted that much.
I hope that you feel alright with crying freely and as much as you need to because there is no way in grieving. Even if there are moments in which you find yourself struggling to summon the tears, it does not mean that you did not love your dog - feeling numb is just another another form of grief.

Please be kind to yourself and treat yourself as she would have treated you in difficult times. It won't be easy and that's okay. Maybe, once the shock is a little less acute, you can think about ways of honouring her memory? If you live with others who knew her, it might help to talk about her with them. By remembering her, you are keeping her alive in a way.

 

[Chlo]

I'm so sorry for your loss ): The grieving process is difficult as hell - I think the best thing you can do is surround yourself with loved ones. When my beloved dog I grew up with died when I was 16, I wrote him a memorial letter, and as cheesy as that might sound, it actually helped a little. I'm sure several of us would also be here for you if you want to talk.

 

[greencoat111]

I'm so sorry for your loss ): The grieving process is difficult as hell - I think the best thing you can do is surround yourself with loved ones. When my beloved dog I grew up with died when I was 16, I wrote him a memorial letter, and as cheesy as that might sound, it actually helped a little. I'm sure several of us would also be here for you if you want to talk. ♥

Thats such a beautiful thing to do xx

 

[Farmmaa]

I'm so sorry. I had to put my girl down at the end of August and it's so heartbreaking.
It was just the two of us and she did everything with me.

 

[k75]

I'm so sorry to hear about your dog.

I had to euthanize my cat a few weeks ago, and even though she was 15, it hurt so much. It still hurts. I think I see her all over my apartment and expect her to be certain places still. I hear noises and automatically think it's her. I can't even bear to clean up her toys yet.

There's an added layer to the loss, because she was one of the things in my life keeping me alive. I had to stay for her, and that helped anchor me during my dark times. Now that she's gone, it's so much easier to decide to let go. That's scary.

I'm sorry I don't have any helpful advice about coping with it. Just be gentle with yourself and be sure to let yourself grieve. Don't try to set a time limit or let anyone make you feel like you should just get over it or get a new pet right now. That happens, and it sucks.

If you're anything like me, you'll probably feel guilty for having to euthanize on top of everything else. It was necessary, but it feels like I killed her. I've had many pets, but that's the first time I've had to make that decision.

I talked to my therapist about it, and she wrote me a note of things to remind myself of. I'll share it in case you're struggling with those feelings too:

- I gave her a gift
- She WAS sick and suffering
- I gave her a loving home for 15 years
- She passed very peacefully
- It was the kindest act I could have given her

 

[iki]

You made the right choice now she doesn't suffer anymore

 

[MysticPerception]

I don't even know what to say I'm so sorry that's terrible. When I lost my first cat recently I didn't even know how to react. I just went completely cold. She wasn't even living with me at the time but I raised her for over 10 years and the last time I got to see her she was begging me to stay and give her more attention. I didn't know that would be the last time I saw her. I can only say crying helps, because I've cried whenever I think about her. I wasn't supposed to live longer than her.

 

[Thereisnothing]

In my opinion losing a pet is no different than losing anyone else you love, it hurts like hell. my heart is saddened to hear the loss of your precious girl.
I love and respect animals to the highest degree and I can no longer have pets in my life as I cant cope with losing them. I know it means I miss out but that cant be helped. I get my fix from nature.
My father passed just before Christmas and I am empty and raw with pain so I can empathise how you are feeling. Its horrid, but tears are good.
Would you like to tell us the name of your dog and what type she was? I would like to do a blessing for her if you would allow me to?
I am glad that you have shared this loss with us. As with any loss dealing with a beloved pet it takes time and the process is the same, so give yourself time and allow yourself to feel however you need to. Much love to you

 

[mesohappy]

Im sorry about your loss..My dog got hit by a car right in front of me as I got home from work(I live on a busy street) and I felt and still feel it was my fault.I raised her from a pup and have no children so she was my kid.My close family members and friends have all passed away also. I got another dog,but Im thinking heavily on CTB and worry what will happen to my dog.I love her,she sleeps with me everynight and brightens my day when I come home.Shes the only reason I keep getting up in the morning.

 

[UpandDownPrincess]

Oh, I'm so sorry. It's so hard to make that decision and even though you know it's coming, the hurt is so profound when it actually happens.

Be good to yourself right now. Remember that you're grieving, and it that it takes a while for a heart to heal.

Our animal friends bring such love and I truly believe we'll be reunited with them out there in the ether.

 

[justanotherday]

So today i lost my dog that i had for 6 years. It was one of the toughest decisions ever to decide to euthanize her. I've been crying the entire day and i'm really struggling to deal with this loss. How do you deal with the loss of a pet? I'm feeling extremely sad and down right now. I felt like this forum might be a good place to vent since a lot of us talk about loss.

I am so sorry for your loss. I feel like I have lost a child whenever I have lost a beloved pet. The first time I ever lost one of my cats, I went to the doctor so I could be prescribed something to sleep. Otherwise, I could not have slept any at night because I was so devastated. They prescribed elavil to try and knock me out at night. Also, now days there are grief support groups for people that have lost pets. I wish I knew what to tell you...

 

[Broken Chimera]

I'm so sorry for your loss. When mine passed I couldn't leave the house for days. What I can tell you is to grieve for as long as you need to and to feel whatever you need to feel. It's not fast and it's not pretty. Don't feel like you have to get over it in a day. Losing a pet is like losing a family member. Again, I'm sorry for your loss and I hope you can heal from it.

 

[Polka]

Yes it is an awful thing.

If you have the resources and will then get yourself to the local dog pound and get another. That's just about the only good thing about losing an animal friend in that it's easy to get another one. It's not a replacement but it is a chance to spend more time with another wonderful critter.

 

[iki]

If they're not replaceable why take another one?. And if you're planning to end it all you shouldn't take other pets.

 

[Rosiel]

Oh no! What happened? How old was he/she? I can't imagine how hard this must be for you. I think the loss of a dog is even more difficult because most people don't realise the emotional pain one goes through. I often here people comment heartlessly and unsympathetically "it's just a dog", but all of us whose lives have been blessed by these wonderful creatures know this isn't the case. Grieve like you would any other other kind of death or loss of a loved one, go through the stages and get people around you who would understand.

 

[Deleted member 1465]

Really sorry for your loss. My dog was my best friend when I was growing up. I still miss him. There's no relationship like it. It's right to mourn and to feel grief. I used to go for walks to the places I'd take him, did it for years. I'd always imagine him with me and talk to him along the way. I know its silly, but it helped me. Maybe that might help?

 

[Hopeindeath!]

My heart goes out to you in your time of sorrow.

 

[RedPanda]

Thank you everyone for these kind messages as they have helped me a lot. I have learned to cope with the pain and i have moved on already. I can't dwell on this for too long as my life is being cut very short and i need to move on. I will cherish these moments i had with my pet. Thank you once again for your beautiful messages.

 

[terry_a_davis]

I echo the sentiments in this thread, i wish op all the best. At least our pets when euthanized shouldn't suffer as N is used. I've had my dog since he was 10 months old unwanted by another family and given to me, he's nearly 15 now. I am DREADING the day he passes i love him to bits.

 

[hatelife]

I will hold my dead bunnies picture if I decide to ever kill myself again :) to be with him in other side :) I still morn him even if it has been over a year now

 

[Ghost2211]

Losing a pet is such a sad and lonely thing I'm so sorry you're having to feel that void. What I have done to cope with the loss of pets is give myself a few days to cry and mourn, and when I am ready I go rescue a new pet. It gives an animal a second chance at life and a home, and it helps heal the wounds of losing a loved one.