How to Grieve for a Very Good Dog

[demmiblue]

I was walking home from getting my second vaccination shot last March when I suddenly felt like I couldn’t stand. Everything about the vaccine was fine. It was just that I had lost someone very dear to me a few days prior and I was overcome with crippling despair.

I plopped in the dirt next to the side of the road, wailing while I fumbled with my phone to find the number for Blue Cross Blue Shield’s counseling hotline. I explained my needs to an obstacle course of automated gatekeepers and finally got through to a human.

“My partner died two days ago,” I managed to say between sobs.

“Oh, I am so sorry,” said the woman on the phone, clearly moved by my distress. She gave me phone numbers for grief counselors in my area; I headed home with tears running down my face.

What I didn’t say is that my “partner” was a dog. A beautiful yellow Lab named Sunny, who died at 15 and a half.

https://www.outsideonline.com/culture/essays-culture/pet-loss-dog-grief/

[Botany]

1. 15.5 is a great run for lab.

Just remember the more you loved your dog and the more the dog loved you the
more you will hurt.

[sinkingfeeling]

2. I went to grief counseling for the loss of my dogs, a couple of times. It helped.

[Karadeniz]

3. I'd call Sunny his partner....

[Duncanpup]

4. Hugs

[BigmanPigman]

5. I know, I know!!!

My baby died almost 3 years ago but I am just as sad as the day she died. I thought I was all cried out but 2 weeks ago I saw pictures of where we went on vacation and I started crying. And not just any crying but the kind where I couldn't stand up and was dehydrated and leaving wet puddles on the carpet for over an hour. Everyone's grieving process is different. Don't expect to grieve like others do and don't be hard on yourself for feeling pain.

I have felt better after listening to people who had near death experiences and tons of people see their pets (all their pets in their lives) and they are young, happy, playing and they remember you. I think this is one of the main reasons why I don't care if I die or not since I believe that this could be true. I think something happens after you die and I am an atheist. Something happens that we don't understand (yet) but that doesn't mean they are real. People who experience this first hand have no doubt since their experiences were very clear. I have also been visited by both my dogs after they died and my dad too. So I have my own weird experiences and they are very, very clear and real. So do a lot of people do, I have since learned, but don't want to say what they experienced since others will say they are nuts. A lot of people who are in hospice care see their pets before they die too. I think your consciousness level has to be a part in it.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

6. It is hard to say goodbye to a family member

It took me five years to be ready for a new puppy. I understand how you feel

[SheltieLover]

7. Deepest condolences

Nothing hurts like when your furbaby departs the mortal coil for the Bridge.

Glad you're engaging bereavent thedapy.

[ratchiweenie]

8. My darling little rat terrier/chihuahua died of heart failure a couple of months ago.

We kept her home with us and just held her and slept with her and kissed her and talked to her for the last 3-4 days. She died in my arms. I buried her in my garden where I plan to put really lovely flowers this spring. Not a day goes by that I don't miss my sweet, sweet girl but thank god, I got to have her for 8 1/2 years. Our pets just have such sweet souls. Nothing compares. I know how you feel and it does get better. I break into tears once in a while still but now I'm just glad I had her instead of being angry she is gone.

It gets better!!

[msdogi]

9. Three years later

I still tear up for my beloved Maggie, my last Great Dane. She was 8. My first two Danes only made it to 7. Part of the deal, knew it going in, and worth the heartache when they're gone. All my other dogs have had much longer lives, my two girls now will be with me a long while, I hope.
I am grateful for the time I had with all of them, they are a gift, and certainly, our partners.