How can i stop being a worrier about my dog?
ByThis relates mostly to my dog… in the picture lol.
He is getting older now (he is 10) and even though he is still active and can outrun a dog half his age i am constantly worried about his health.
A few months ago he had a huge growth from his lip and i was a nervous wreck thinking the worst until the vet confirmed it was just a bee stinger stuck in his lip.
Now he has a third eyelid (the white bit in the corner of his eye, on the right eye if you look closely you will see a white spot) and i am worried he is going to go blind or get cataracts or get infected even though the vet told me it is not likely to happen.
He LOVES to play fetch and tonight i was throwing tennis balls to him and he lost two in the grass and couldn’t find them anywhere, one would be ok but two, that’s unheard of for him. It was 10pm and dark but i had a light on.
I know this is irrational and he is in fine health for his age but i can’t help being such a hypochondriac about him.
He has been with me since he was 8 weeks old and i got him when i was 10 so he was a constant through all those ‘teenage years’.
I keep thinking about the day he leaves, will it be in his sleep, will he have to be put down, could i go through with being with him when he is put to sleep, we have no dog cemeteries here but i am not comfortable with cremation at all as i’m catholic and have never known someone to be cremated, i don’t want to take him to the pound to have disposed of as it will be disrespectful to him, if i have him cremated will i bury the ashes or look after them, could i deal with the reminder of losing him every time i see the urn,,,
How can i get past this, it has me on some sort of morbid emotional rollarcoaster!
Rented house. I live in Northern Ireland, there are two pet cemetaries in the whole country, both of which are privately owned – Yes i have researched it….
I have 4 dogs and plenty of friends. I’m a student so when i stopped school for summer i had a lot more free time, and a lot more free time to worry.
6 Comments
March 9th, 2010 at 8:01 pm
Well, in my opinion you should just think about how much you love him now. If you lurk in the past then you can’t live your life and love him now. I completely understand, a similar thing happened to me. If something serious is happening then you’d know about it, so don’t worry. Just love him and care for him, and he’ll be happy. When it is time for him to go then he will, and he’ll be happy, and you’ll see him again, so just don’t worry. I know this is hard but you just have to be in the moment and love him. I hope this helps, good luck!
March 9th, 2010 at 8:17 pm
I love my dog too. What we do not have is any control over the lives of others. When his time has come it will just be.
The greater question is why you feel the need to punish yourself at this time?
March 9th, 2010 at 9:00 pm
One of the wonderful things about dogs is that they would never be bothered by the things that worry us. If a dog looses its leg it can still run and play and doesn’t feel any different from other dogs. If it looses its sight it is more than equipped to carry on (especially with its incredibly powerful nose to lead the way!)
Enjoy your lovely dog and try to remember that he’s never concerned with his health and is probably barely aware of his age or third eyelid.
As for when he eventually dies, lots of vets offer burial services or you could travel to a pet cemetery. Do you have a back garden? You could bury him there. It will be difficult but I’m sure he had a wonderful life with you. It’s a terrible thing to loose a pet but you should really enjoy him while he’s here and try not to think about his health. (although I know that’s hard)
March 9th, 2010 at 9:02 pm
Wow, when that dog dies it’s gonna be..ruff??? I thank you..
March 9th, 2010 at 9:42 pm
If this dog were a girlfriend or child – you would be considered as “smothering”, that is being so emotionally controlling and constantly worried that you don’t allow the person to live their own life in freedom.
Yes, you have gone “overboard”. Your worry has gone over the top to where it is now an unhealthy obsession. A friend would consider this to be “weird”.
Gain some new interests and activities in your life. Refuse to allow thoughts and actions toward your dog to rule your time. Spend some extended time away on purpose….and see that the dog is well entertained with another pet where he stays during your trip….you are only allowed 1 phone call about the dog during the time you are gone.
Get a second dog now, so that you will have already established an expanded animal interest before your pet dies a natural death.
Get a human friendship.
Go to a counselor once a week for 3 months.
March 9th, 2010 at 10:21 pm
When I had to have my first dog put down I lost 20 pounds. It was one of the hardest things I have ever done, but she was in pain and I could not allow that. I grieved and grieved and the thing that cured me was getting more pets. I totally agree with you bringing another dog home. Honey there are so many out there that need homes. Then your dog can train the new one. I have by now 2 dogs and 2 cats. My big dog is 12 now and starting to have some issues, but I know that when the ievitable happens I will get much comfort from my others. Animal lovers are wonderful people and just do your best and enjoy right now. P.s. he is a gorgeous creature.