Feeling devastated after the loss of my dog

[Ellie05]

Hello,

It's been a couple of months since my last post. I am guilty of only checking these boards regularly when I'm not doing too well. Putting my thoughts, fears and worries out there into the universe seems to help somewhat.

My little dog had to be put down this morning and I'm feeling devastated. I loved him so much and as I'm single and not working he was a big part of my day to day happiness. He was such a joy filled little fellow and I'm going to miss him so much. Everything in the house reminds me of him.

He was a family dog so I have support from my parents and sister but I'm starting to unravel as I'm terrified that I'm going to relapse and have a terrible episode of anxiety/depression again (they've been triggered before by smaller issues than this). I only got half an hour sleep last night so am hoping I'll be able to think more rationally tomorrow after I've slept but I just don't know how I'll get over this.

[Croix]

Dear Ellie05~

I can exactly relate to how you feel. There are an awful lot of people for whom a household pet lodges in their heart. When they go, which is sadly often the case as they are so short-lived, it is really devastating. The grief can go on for a very long time and color your life.

My remedy is to have another pet - almost always from the pound. This takes an animal whose prospects otherwise might be dubious and at the same time helps re-fill the heart.

It is not an attempt to trivialize or downplay the part the previous pet had in out lives, but simply a practical approach that helps all round.

Have a read about my happy menagerie (copy and paste in to your browser)

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/permalink/qltLoXHzvGGEbv8AAOnT_A

Croix

[Croix]

P.S. Forgot to say -sigh. Coming here when down is exactly right, you are not 'guilty' of anything. This place is here specifically to help you when you are down.
-C

[Ellie05]

Thank you Croix - your post helped me to feel a little better. He was such a special dog.

[geoff]

hi Ellie, I am so sorry that your most precious company had to be put to sleep, that I can relate to so very much, it broke my heart when I had to do the same, because she was still licking me and her eyes were fixed on my eyes, but after her operation it had burst after a cancerous lump was removed.

I had her for 18 years and then she was to be taken away from me, how the hell was I going to cope, well I had another dog, the one in my photo, but my thoughts weren't about her it was all about the one I loved and had to put to sleep, but the one I have now knew that there was something wrong with me and did her best to be patient with me by just snuggling up to me.

There were no demands by her, no chasing the ball or going for our walks, she knew she had to wait until I showed her my love, I can't thank her enough, but it took awhile, now she has all my concentration, but I still look at the photo of my previous puppie everyday, just as one day I will do be doing exactly the same, but that day is not what I'm looking forward to.

My best. Geoff. x

[Bethie]

Im so sorry. Sending you hugs.

I hope they let you bring him home to bury him. If not maybe plant something that grows to remind you of him.

When I was 5 months pregnant I suffered chronic postnatal depression and my husband brought home a little blue healer puppy. Poor thing was only 6 weeks old and covered in fleas. A lady if you can call her that was about to drown him and his siblings in the bay...so wrong. His mates took the other pups luckly.

Anyway we had him untill our son was 13 months old. Sadly he passed due to a snake but when I need him I go into the back garden where he is and sit, talk and cry. The love you have for your dog will stay in your heart forever and part of him will never leave but live on

[Ellie05]

Thank you Geoff. The loss of a pet can be truely devastating. They love you so completely are such a big part of your day to day life.

[Ellie05]

Thank you Bethie, as sad as it is to hear other tales of loss it's nice to know there's people out there who appreciate how hard this is.