How do you cope with the loss of a pet?
Discussion
Our dog is my first dog and first pet as an adult. I always wanted a dog but it never fitted in with my lifestyle and my wife wasn’t keen (she only gave In because my daughter was desperate too).
Although he is only six and hopefully has quite a few years left I am already getting anxious at the thought of him dying. He is such an integral part of my life (I’m retired so spend a lot of time with him) and feels more like a second child rather than just a pet. I know rationally that if he lives until 12 or 14 he would have had a full life (although he would have spent about 90% of it asleep!) yet I find it hard to contemplate coming down in the morning and not finding him there to greet me.
For those who are long term pet owners, how do you deal with them dying after a relatively short number of years?
Although he is only six and hopefully has quite a few years left I am already getting anxious at the thought of him dying. He is such an integral part of my life (I’m retired so spend a lot of time with him) and feels more like a second child rather than just a pet. I know rationally that if he lives until 12 or 14 he would have had a full life (although he would have spent about 90% of it asleep!) yet I find it hard to contemplate coming down in the morning and not finding him there to greet me.
For those who are long term pet owners, how do you deal with them dying after a relatively short number of years?
It is, sadly, the price you pay. It's not a good mindset to be worrying about losing a dog that's only six and in full health. You can't make him/her live forever so worrying won't achieve anything. So enjoy their company and appreciate them while they're there. I'm on my fifth cat. It's upsetting and very sad when they go, and there's a hole for a while, but it's the deal you sign up for when you take them on, and the hole can be re-filled when you give a new pet a home.
To put in it perspective, pets can (sort of) be replaced. Humans can't, so enjoy their company and appreciate them even more.
To put in it perspective, pets can (sort of) be replaced. Humans can't, so enjoy their company and appreciate them even more.
I can't say anymore that what has already been said, but I will echo it - Simply enjoy and cherish their company and the laughs all pets will bring.
I was born into a dog loving family, they've always been a huge part of our life. Our last Setter had diabetes, but she lived to 14 - eventually she had to be put down. I've got another little sod now, but he'll never "replace" my Setter, he just simply becomes part of the family, as they all have - our budgies, hamsters and fish included!
I was born into a dog loving family, they've always been a huge part of our life. Our last Setter had diabetes, but she lived to 14 - eventually she had to be put down. I've got another little sod now, but he'll never "replace" my Setter, he just simply becomes part of the family, as they all have - our budgies, hamsters and fish included!
This has crossed my mind with my two too.
I just try to look at it another way, it's my job to make sure they have the best life they can & I hope, when the time comes, I will find comfort in the fact they have had the best life I could give them & were happy while they were with me.
I just try to look at it another way, it's my job to make sure they have the best life they can & I hope, when the time comes, I will find comfort in the fact they have had the best life I could give them & were happy while they were with me.
Caddyshack said:
Enjoy the now. Tomorrow hasn’t happened yet.
When it does happen you just need to take each day as it comes and let the grief do it’s thing. If you struggle get counselling.
Years ago after retirement I decided to get a dog as with both of us working (in earlier years ,after kids left us) we thought it was unfair to leave it home without us. Problem then was that we now had a grandson who often came to us. We chose an eight-year-old from a rescue organisation , who came to best friends with grandson. Sadly after three years Toby developed cancer and passed on. A few months later I got a call from the same organisation that they had a rescue ( found tied up outside a shop, suspected breed bWhen it does happen you just need to take each day as it comes and let the grief do it’s thing. If you struggle get counselling.
h. Would I be interested ?). Sometimes best cure is to find a rescue ( who needs love and a good home) and let things progress. The new dog will never replace the one you lost, but there's a place in your heart for each new one.
We lost our 13 year old chocolate labrador in February. Her ashes were scattered on her favourite beach but we have some in a dreamcatcher in the kitchen window so she can still be in her garden. We also went through the many photos we took of her and created a photobook of al the favourite ones.
We also lost a puppy last year that we'd only had 6 days. She had a heart defect and died in my arms at the specialists.
It took a while not to see them in their favourite spots, but luckily we had another dog which has helped greatly
We also lost a puppy last year that we'd only had 6 days. She had a heart defect and died in my arms at the specialists.
It took a while not to see them in their favourite spots, but luckily we had another dog which has helped greatly
We have a strategy of getting the next dog before the oldest one dies. Interesting side effect is that the elderly dog usually gets a new lease of life when the puppy joins the family. This has worked for us for over 30 years of dog ownership and various breeds. Solves the problem of the empty house.
Over the years, I've taken 3 rabbits, 6 cats and one dog on a one way trip to the vet. (I've also desposed of guinea pigs that were found dead in thier cage, although my kids still think.im a bit odd, for using the food waste bin, butnin my defence, it says including raw meat, so a dead guinea pig seems to fit that description.)
Whilst each occasion was a bit sad, I've never really grieved for any animal.
It's inevitable that any pet you get before you are about 70, will die before you.
Accept that on day one of your ownership, and when the time comes it's much easier.
In every case the emotion of relief, was much greater than any sadness or grief.
Or as my dad once said "Grow a pair. It's just a ......insert brand of animal........"
Whilst each occasion was a bit sad, I've never really grieved for any animal.
It's inevitable that any pet you get before you are about 70, will die before you.
Accept that on day one of your ownership, and when the time comes it's much easier.
In every case the emotion of relief, was much greater than any sadness or grief.
Or as my dad once said "Grow a pair. It's just a ......insert brand of animal........"
Pit Pony said:
Over the years, I've taken 3 rabbits, 6 cats and one dog on a one way trip to the vet. (I've also desposed of guinea pigs that were found dead in thier cage, although my kids still think.im a bit odd, for using the food waste bin, butnin my defence, it says including raw meat, so a dead guinea pig seems to fit that description.)
Whilst each occasion was a bit sad, I've never really grieved for any animal.
It's inevitable that any pet you get before you are about 70, will die before you.
Accept that on day one of your ownership, and when the time comes it's much easier.
In every case the emotion of relief, was much greater than any sadness or grief.
Or as my dad once said "Grow a pair. It's just a ......insert brand of animal........"
Wow. Much as I hate the grieving process, I would hate not to grieve for any of my pets, and I've lost many, many more than you, including dogs, rabbits and guinea pigs. Accepting their inevitable demise need not equate to being unaffected by it. I'm quite content to be like my dad - he was always heartbroken by the loss of their dogs. I admire a man who can openly cry.Whilst each occasion was a bit sad, I've never really grieved for any animal.
It's inevitable that any pet you get before you are about 70, will die before you.
Accept that on day one of your ownership, and when the time comes it's much easier.
In every case the emotion of relief, was much greater than any sadness or grief.
Or as my dad once said "Grow a pair. It's just a ......insert brand of animal........"
Edited by moorx on Monday 2nd May 21:52
bigmowley said:
We have a strategy of getting the next dog before the oldest one dies. Interesting side effect is that the elderly dog usually gets a new lease of life when the puppy joins the family. This has worked for us for over 30 years of dog ownership and various breeds. Solves the problem of the empty house.
Yup , we have done that before too and it works. The last time we lost our GS very unexpectedly and the silence around the house was dreadful. You don’t really cope losing a dog , you get by . I still mourn dogs probably more than family members and friends, they give you their soul . Enjoy every day with them while you can .bigmowley said:
We have a strategy of getting the next dog before the oldest one dies. Interesting side effect is that the elderly dog usually gets a new lease of life when the puppy joins the family. This has worked for us for over 30 years of dog ownership and various breeds. Solves the problem of the empty house.
We have a 12 year old GSD who I suspect is not going to be around a lot longer, and a 3 year old GSD. So we won’t have an empty house, but the younger dog will be bereft when her best mate goes. We’re currently looking after the in-laws young Podenco Andaluz, and that has made us realise that the younger GSD needs some company that can play hard. We’re either going to let the young GSD have a litter or get a pup.Gassing Station | All Creatures Great & Small | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff