How do you get past the loss of your pet???

My first dog ever passed away on Friday at only 6 years old...he was the love of my life....how do I get through this? When does it feel okay?????? I can't eat. sleep. this is awful....

Re: How do you get past the loss of your pet???

I completely understand your pain. My first dog that I had for almost 14 years passed a little over 4 years ago. It took me a couple of years to just be able to look at a dog of the same breed without crying. My heart actually hurt and I cried myself to sleep many many nights. Honestly the only thing that got me somewhat over it was my puppy that I got last August. He helps me to remember my other boy and makes me laugh again. I was depressed for a long time after the death of my dog. Time helps but I don't think I will ever get over it.

Re: How do you get past the loss of your pet???

My family dog was put to sleep yesterday at the age of 15. While I have my own home and my own dog, we got him when I was 15 and I held him the whole way home, I stayed up all night with him after his surgeries, I took him running with me when I was training for sports, and couldn't wait to see him each time I came home from college. Fortunately I only live a few minutes away now too, so he was very much still "my" dog.

I know, without a doubt, it was the right thing to do and he was in pain and he was very old and had a great life, but I cried myself to sleep with my dog on my lap the night before, and then laid with her again when I got home from saying goodbye to him.

I'm crying as I type this too.

So I can't imagine how much harder it is to lose a dog at just 6 years old and unexpectedly. However I am taking comfort in the dog I still have and spoiling her a bit extra.

Someone once told me the best way to honor a dog is to love another dog. I know my parents are not ready for that and won't be for a LONG time, but it is working for me right now. That, and a nice glass of red wine.

Re: How do you get past the loss of your pet???

I am so sorry for your loss. I completely understand what you are going through. We lost our first dog to cancer when she was 7 years old. She was the love of my life and can never be replaced. We do have two other dogs who grew up with her so it was a huge loss for them as well. She was their pack leader and once she was gone it took them a few months to get in a new routine. The pain never goes away, Im crying writing this right now, but it does get easier, you will come out of the hurt when you are ready. You cannot put a time limit on your grief. You will have your good days and your bad. Its just like losing a family member, I feel like its like losing a child cause thats what she was to me. You will get better, you will move forward but you will always have fond memories and thats what you need to help you get through, and again, I am so sorry for your loss

Re: How do you get past the loss of your pet???

DH's dog passed away when he was only 4 from cancer. He was the most amazing dog ever, and we both cried over him all the time.

Months later, we would still break down in tears when we would come home and realize he wasn't there.

After a while, we were able to remember the good things about him and smile instead of cry. Now we talk all the time about how amazing he would have been with our kids, and we can't wait until the kids are old enough for a new dog.

It sucks because he should still be with us, but it does get easier, I promise. Don't try to get past it, just remember him when you want, cry when you have to, it will all come with time

Re: How do you get past the loss of your pet???

First, I am so sorry for your loss. This is the worst part if owning a pet. I have always had animals and losing them is so difficult. It is going to sound cliche, but time is really the only thing that will help. I lost my cat Persia (my avitar pic) in Jan 09. I had had her since I was 13 and I was devastated. I cried all the time, especially when I would look at pictures. I still do when I find them but the pain is not as raw as it was. One thing that helped a little was making a scrapbook of her so that I would always remember her. It was painful but soothing at the same time. Try to focus on the good memories and the wealth of love I'm sure you gave each other. Hang in there...it will get better.

Re: How do you get past the loss of your pet???

I'm so sorry for your loss. I know what you are going thru.

Time heals.
Sounds like a cliche (actually it is one) but over time it doesn't hurt as much anymore.
My furbaby, my cat Munchkin, got sick with squamous cell carcinoma 4 years ago, and I had to put him down shortly after his diagnosis because there was no cure or treatment. My furbaby was suffering and there wasn't a darn thing I could do for him. He was my furbaby for 13 years, he was 5 weeks old when he wandered into my life.
I still cry about him, I miss him terribly.
I'm ready now to get a new furbaby. I can never replace Munchkin, but I can care for and love a new furbaby.

Grieve, and give yourself time to heal.

Re: How do you get past the loss of your pet???

I agree with what everyone else said.
Only time.
And it's never 100% gone from your mind- even with all the time in the world.
I still can cry over my kitty who died last year...but each day gets a bit easier until you remember your fur baby with more smiles than tears...