Feb
08
My dog died in October. I’m more sad right now than I was after he died. What is your experience with grief?
ByHe was 12. He was ill and in pain. I put him down. At first, I honestly felt more relief than sadness. Then the sadness started to come on—a month later—-now I feel sadder throughout the day. I want my dog back. I miss him so much. Have you experienced this?
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27 Comments
February 8th, 2010 at 5:38 am
Oh yes I know exactly what you are saying. I had to have my dog put to sleep in January this year and I still cry over losing her. I just did a memorial DVD of her, and I could hardly get through it from crying. Whenever I watch it I end up sobbing so I know what you are going through.
February 8th, 2010 at 6:10 am
I cant even imagine what you must be going through right now. I know that this probably doesn’t help but you did the right thing and hes in a better place
He lived a long life to dont forget that. Set up a memorial or something to remember him. It wont be easy but things will get better
Sorry for your loss
February 8th, 2010 at 6:57 am
Its normal to have a delayed reaction with grief my mom died 2 years ago and Its just hitting me now that she is really gone
February 8th, 2010 at 7:22 am
I haven’t experienced it but i feel your pain i would be very sad if my little angel died just think about how happy he is in heaven running with all the other dogs who died just remember this poem
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together….
Author unknown…
February 8th, 2010 at 7:45 am
yes. its quite normal. there must have been something that triggered it. Its just some peoples way of mourning. When my dog died, i really wanted another one, but I knew if i got it right away i would only like it because of my grief, so i would go to the Pet Store periodically and look at the puppies. It made me feel better, and eventually i got another dog, and loved it for itself not for my grief
February 8th, 2010 at 8:44 am
1st of all sorry for ur death my dog died too sadly i just got over it.its like someone dieing at a funeral.u just gota move one my dog dies about 5 yrs ago and the last funeral died 2 yrs ago.do things that make you happy then u wont feel that sad.
February 8th, 2010 at 9:20 am
Yes, at the odd moments I think I hear my dog walking or I see his grandson which looks a lot like him and for a quick moment I’ll get startled and think it’s my dog.It gets better, sorry for your loss.
February 8th, 2010 at 9:43 am
i learn to move on and look at the bright side of thing like your dog was 12 yeah it sucks that he was in pain but 12 is a good age for a dog besides why would you wanna hear about other people’s grief that will only make the depression worse
February 8th, 2010 at 9:45 am
I felt it really hard last August. I had just moved to my Aunts house and was having a hard time with the move and I love my big dog. He was my security in the new house and comfort. He was always at my feet. We lived out in the country and our neighbors that were VERY far away didn’t like animals so they put antifreeze out in buckets for the animals to drink and my dog got a hold of it. It was so hard to get over. I felt so alone. I was upset for awhile. You really have to let time take it’s toll before you can get over these things. I’m so sorry for your grief.
February 8th, 2010 at 9:52 am
Sorry for your loss. My dog got out of the house and she was hit by a car. I found her the next day lying in the road. It was awful. The grief was sudden and deep. The first month was really sad without her, then another wave of grief came on the anniversary as well as a couple of season changes. She was 8.
We love and lose….but it’s worth it.
February 8th, 2010 at 10:03 am
I’ve had two dogs that are dead. you could try getting a new dog to get your mind off of him, but you have to remember all the good times with him instead of thinking he’s gone.
I still miss my dogs, but you have to try to get over it.
February 8th, 2010 at 10:41 am
I’m so sorry for your loss. My hampster died, then my dad put it in the garbage >:(
February 8th, 2010 at 11:28 am
3 of my cats recently died and i am going through the same thing if you think about the relief he felt when he was not suffering anymore he/she would probably wants you to be happy.
February 8th, 2010 at 11:43 am
Ahh I’m sorry for your loss. It’s hard to deal with the grief and honestly I don’t have the right answer for you. I had to put one of my dogs down in October as well, I had more sadness watching her and watching her quality of life dwindle (she had stage 4 lymphoma and was blind). But overall I feel better that I made the decision to relieve her of the obvious pain she was in. I know I loved her and cared for her the best I could until the end. Hope things get easier for you. =D
February 8th, 2010 at 12:01 pm
yeah.. my dog died too like years ago! it was pretty sad… she was like 10 yrs old.. she was one of the best dogs i ever had…
February 8th, 2010 at 12:22 pm
Well there was this one time I got really really angry at my sister. I was like 8 or 9 years old. So I pushed the tv onto her. It killed her. My parents thought it fell, but it was really me. Some days the grief just overcomes me. That television was so beautiful. It was one of the earliest big screens, it was a great picture.
February 8th, 2010 at 12:46 pm
I didnt loose an animal but when i was a child soldier in the D.R Congo at 8 i was forced to shoot my father, and watched my mother get Raped before the rebels shot her then forced to Join with them and kill innocent lives, they drugged me and did horrific stuff i still cant talk about, i am now 13 years of age and living in N.Y
February 8th, 2010 at 1:22 pm
yes….I HAD A PERSIAN CAT FOR 16 YEARS..HE WAS MY FAMILY AND MEANT EVERYTHING TO ME…..ONE NIGHT I WAS GOING TO BED AND I WAS PETTING MY CAT..ALL OF A SUDDEN HE MADE A SOUND AND FELL OVER LIKE HE WAS CHOKING OR SOMETHING…..THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO AS HIS EYE;S ROLLED BACK AND HE DIED..I LATER FOUND OUT HE HAD A HEART ATTACK..HE DIED ALMOST 7 YEARS AGO AND I STILL THINK OF HIM EVERYDAY…I KNOW IT IS HARD BUT REMEMBER THAT ONE DAY WE WILL SEE OUR PET’S AGAIN IN HEAVEN..I AM A STRONG BELIEVER THAT THEY ARE WAITING FOR US….I AM VERY SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS BUT THE FACT HE WAS IN PAIN YOU REALLY DID SPARE HIM AND I AM SURE HE KNOWS HOW MUCH YOU LOVED HIM!!
)) i WOULD RECOMMEND GETTING ANOTHER CAT..IT REALLY DOES HELP.GOOD LUCK!!!
February 8th, 2010 at 1:26 pm
This is normal. You were probably in a mild state of shock and denial at first. That coupled with the knowledge that you pet was no longer in pain made coping at first a little easier. Loosing a pet especially one you had for so long is going to have an effect on you. It is often after the initial shock wears off a little and the realization that he is permanently gone really sinks in the sadness can becomes profound. sometimes the everyday reality of your friend being gone is much harder to accept than the initial loss. I lost my dog a year ago and even though I was sad the whole time it really sank in about the 3rd week or so. Oh how I missed her little foot foot dance she used to do when I got home…I still miss that the most
It was hard REALLY HARD but I promise with time it will get better. Just take comfort in the fact that you are not alone (almost everyone who loves dogs has experienced a loss of a beloved pet) and that one day when it is your time she will be waiting to greet you….I for one am anxious to see my girl doing her little dance again…just not too soon.
February 8th, 2010 at 2:04 pm
Yes, I had exactly the same experience with my 14 year old dog. He was also in pain, and I had to put him down. To be honest with you, It has been 8 years and even now when I think of all the love I shared with that dog I tear up. I said I would never get another dog, It’s too painful,But I did get another 4 years later, now I am starting to go through his old age. I guess when you love dogs, you share the good and the bad times.Sorry for your loss, try to remember the good times too!
February 8th, 2010 at 2:44 pm
Although I’m not at all happy that you’re grieving it gives me some support in what I’m feeling right now. Although the circumstances were most certainly completely different I also felt that sense of relief after the euthanasia. This happened in October as well. Sometimes I get a small bout of sadness that usually comes when I glance over at a picture of her or hear song lyrics that remind me of her and sometimes it’s an intense depression that comes from seemingly nowhere. I’ve said several times to my fiance that I wish we had her back as well as many other confusing, infuriating, and saddening thoughts. I miss her so much. I’m so sorry you feel this way and my thoughts are with you.
February 8th, 2010 at 3:24 pm
everyone wants their loved one back, it’s normal. i had 2 wolves that died 2 and 3 years ago and i want them back, but it will not happen. i want my grandma, my first b-friend back, that won’t happen( he was killed by his step mom). i know the holidays are around the corner, and people want back what they can’t have. be thankful for what you have now. your alive, maybe a have a job, if you feel that bad get a rescue. there are alot of dogs in shelters, needing a home.
February 8th, 2010 at 3:37 pm
Wow I am going through the exact same thing. My dog died in July she was hit by a car and by far the hardest time I have ever experienced in my life. I was terribly sad when it happened but I started to tell myself that she was just a my grandma’s or something stupid like that. I kinda helped me get through it for a little bit but not long. But it seems like all the sudden I miss her SO MUCH!!! Like I even find myself calling her to some to bed and then I realize she isn’t there. Or I will go to open the door to let her in the house and realize of course shes not outside she dead. I don’t know what to do anymore. She was my best friend and she wasn’t even sick she just DIED. That morning I was petting her head and by evening I was digging her dead. This was my experience I hope it helps you.
February 8th, 2010 at 3:51 pm
We put my dog to sleep in june and i still am very sad. She was in pain too.. I really miss petting her. She was the second dog we lost in under 3 years..
i am mainly answering this though because, the person who put the rainbow bridge thing on here. I read that after my dog died and it made me feel better. It is beautiful..
February 8th, 2010 at 4:07 pm
When our 14 year old male shih tzu named cody died all i did was cry.He was my mom’s christmas present
February 8th, 2010 at 4:50 pm
Yes we have in our cat. Its very hard believe me it is. Get another dog straight away.
lesley
February 8th, 2010 at 5:37 pm
hi,
I’m sorry to hear that. If you’ve shared your heart and home with a dog, you will no doubt feel a great sense of loss and sorrow when you lose her. No matter how old your dog was, how many years you had together, or how expected her death, the grief can be overwhelming. here’s what you can do to lessen the pain:
http://dogtime.com/grief.html
hope this helps.