Looking for support

[wantingbabies]

Hi.  I was just looking for some support from fellow dog lovers.  Our family dog passed away yesterday (Valentine's Day).  She was 16 and we had had her since she was a puppy.  Our whole family is just grief stricken over this.  We've lost pets before, but this is the hardest.  She was such a great dog, and she had been with us for so long.  

[AbbeyGirl88]

Here is a beautiful poem to help you with your loss.

Your Pets In Heaven


To have loved and then said farewell, is better than to have never loved at all.
For all of the times that you have stooped and touched my head, fed me my favorite treat and returned the love that I so unconditionally gave to you.
For the care that you gave to me so unselfishly.
For all of these things I am grateful and thankful.

I ask that you not grieve for the loss, but rejoice in the fact that we lived, loved and touched each others lives. My life was fuller because you were there, not as a master/owner, but as my FRIEND.

Today I am as I was in my youth. The grass is always green, butterflies flit among the flowers and the Sun shines gently down upon all of God's creatures.
I can run, jump, play and do all of the things that I did in my youth. There is no sickness, no aching joints and no regrets and no aging.

We await the arrival of our lifelong companions and know that togetherness is forever.
You live in our hearts as we do in yours. Companions such as you are so rare and unique.
Don't hold the love that you have within yourself. Give it to another like me and then I will live forever. For love never really dies, and you are loved and missed as surely as we are.

Your Pets In Heaven

[LL7970]

I am so very sorry for your loss.  I wish I could say I didnt know what your feeling.  I lost one of my dogs to bone cancer the end of last year.  Cleo was only 8 years old.  Just know that where your dog is now is a place where there is no pain ... and hopefully your dog, and mine are playing - and having fun   :)

[aggieone]

I am so very sorry to hear of your loss. My husband and I know exactly how you feel, the pain runs deep as our pets are a huge part of our families.  I know time heals, but how long does it take!  Sixteen years is a long wonderful time to spend with our babies.  Sixteen years tells me you all took wonder care of your pet.  

We just lost our  baby "Sandy Grace" to renal kidney failure.  Our vet was to come out at 11:00 a.m. to help her go easily on February 6.  She went on her own that morning at 4:45 a.m.  I held her as she left us and I will never forget that as long as I live.  I still live those moments in my heart and mind every minute of the day.  You know what our babies mean to all us as you read these comments.  We considered getting another lab from rescue right away, but we have another lab who feels very alone right now, so,  we are devoting all of our time to him.  Getting another baby does not mean you are replacing you baby, but that you are allowing another to leave their footprints all over your hearts.

I bet your dad would fall in love with another baby if you suprised him with one.  Try a shelter like Tsuki suggested or a rescue organization.  You get the best pets through these agencies and they seem to know that you saved their lives.  I am thinking of you and wish I could help.  Aggieone

[Tsuki]

I am so sorry to hear about you dog. I know it takes time especially since you kept her for so long. I think, when you are ready, it would be a really great idea if you adopted a dog from a shelter. That way you can save a life and gain a friend. I just know that when my Sophie was put down, it took me a long time to get another dog. Until a friend of the family told us about a german shepard pup they knew of that was going to be put down for being at the pound for too long. We adopted her and, though she didn't replace our dear Sophie, she still made me feel better because I knew another dog wasn't going to die just because it didn't have a home.
Again I am so sorry for your loss.

[wantingbabies]

I do have other dogs in my home, which helps, although none can replace the one we lost.  This was a family dog, like I said, and she lived with my parents (who live on the same farm as me, but in a different house).  They have one other dog who is still a puppy.  But everyone was just especially attached to this dog because she'd been with us so long.  I would love to see my parents get another one soon.  Not only for themselves, but for the one they still have, since she seems very lonely also.  But my dad was not a pet person to begin with (he didn't have any growing up), so him getting attached to our dog that passed away was very out of character for him.  I just think it's going to take him a while to get over it (he can't even talk about her right now) and I don't think he's be able to accept a new dog just yet.  And I wouldn't want to have them get one until his heart was open to accepting it into the family.

My mom and I are in the process of making a memorial stone to place where we put our dog to rest.  I've done this for other pets I've lost in the past and it seems to help start the healing process.

[pennst8r]

I lost my 13 year old Irish Setter and my heart was broken. 6 months later, my 8 year old was found to have brain tumor. I had to have him put down too. I knew that I had no choice and that they are in a better place, but I miss them so badly. I never thought I'd get over that. I made it one week before I got a new dog. I find it helps me channel my grief into loving a new setter, who's similar to my Moose, yet also very different. Gordon has started to fill the whole on my heart that losing Moose and Dreamer left. My babies pix are my computer wallpaper, so I see them every day. That helps too.

As for you, I see that you are expecting, so depending on your breed, yo umay need to carefully consider whether this is the time to get another dog.

I hope that all goes well for you.

Penn

[peekawho]

It takes a long time to come to grips with the loss of your best furry friend.  Every time I read these posts I still cry about the dogs I've lost, and its been years since the last one died.  

Give yourself time to heal.   I try to honor our dogs who have passed away with a special area in the home with a beautiful picture or two, frame a special story you write about your dog, make a shadow box with trinkets that your dog loved..anything that you can eventually look at with fondness and thankful rememberance, rather than pain.

You may not be able to do it now, but someday you will, and you'll be glad.  

[wantingbabies]

Thanks everyone for your kind words and support.  I know it will just take some time to heal.  She was such a wonderful dog and it was a joy to have her in our lives for so long.  I'm sure we will get another dog sometime, but it is just too soon right now.  Especially for my dad, who is the one who is at home the most, and was with her the most.  Anyway, thanks again.

[Kande]

Hello, Well I guess I will be the only one to give a different opinion. I'am like you in that my animals are a part of my family. I NEVER get over losing one, it just breaks my heart. But I will tell you I go right out and get another one. You can never replace the one you lost, but you can love another one. You will be so busy with a new puppy that it helps you deal with the pain of losing the other one. I raise Shih-Tzu dogs so I always have pets around (4), that makes it easier. My problem: selling the puppies I have got attached to. I always check out the buyer before I will sell a puppy. Around my house this is serious business in more than one way. Good luck with your new puppy (I'am hoping you get one).  KANDE

[utahmomma]

I am so sorry for the loss of your friend.  I had to put mine down in early December and just picked up his paw print today.  I cried all over again.  It is such a difficult pain to go through.   We are here for you and when at seems the rest of the world doesn't understand why you are so upset about a dog, you have those of us here who really do understand.

There is a special place in heaven who can keep a dog happy for 16 years.  Give the rest of your family (and you) a big hug from us . . . you are wonderful dog people!

((HUGS))
Utahmomma and her herd of dachshunds

[smittygirl]

I had to put down my beautiful black Lab Jake 3 years ago 2 weeks after ending my marriage.  He was 13 and I have never cried as hard as the day I had to bring him to my vet to say goodbye.  I have his ashes and pictures and 13 years of happy memories. I  swore I would never have another dog because it ws just too painful.   Today I have the sweetest most affectionate little Beagle named Casey.  I will never forget my Jake but time truly does heal us and I am grateful for my sweet Casey.  God bless and take the time you need to heal however long that may be...   Take care.  

[suzi-q]

I am so sorry to hear of your loss.  Please accept my deepest sympathy.  I had to put my dog down on December 15th and I am still grieving.  I know how hard it is to lose your family pet.  You need to give it time, just like anything else.  Just try to count your blessings that you were blessed with 16 wonderful years.  Many of us don't get to share that much time (Tiffany was 12).  All I can say is to cry when you need to and try to get those last moments out of your head.  Try to replace them with all the wonderful ones.  I know it takes time.  I wish you peace.

[Jaybay]

Wow!  Your family must have taken great care of your dog to keep her going for 16 years!  It never seems quite fair when the blunt truth smacks us in the face that our pets can't live as long as we do.  It sounds like it was simply her Time to go, and I hope her departure was fast and quiet.  That's the most any of us can hope for ourselves and our pets.  

Give yourself time to grieve, and hopefully you'll be able to open your heart to another pup in the future.  I've always said pet owners are very special because we take our animals into our lives and hearts knowing they will go before we do.  The human heart has infinite capacity to love, and you obviously loved your pup.  Know that you did right by her as evidenced by her very advanced age.  Time really does heal all.  :-)