Dealing with losing a dog?

[Simon]

 

I'm 55 and have been a dog whisperer ever since I was a kid; I just get them for some reason.

Despite that I never actually owned one until the first time about 10 years ago when we got a Golden puppy and named her Stella.

Saturday night she unexpectedly died in my arms (burying her out at camp at midnight under a full moon on Halloween weekend was not a treat) after almost 10 years of being a constant companion, hiking partner, perfect friend, etc.

I've buried too many people over the years and have carried far more than my share of caskets but I can't recall a time when I've ever been this rattled about losing someone. Half the time I want to sit on the couch with a thousand yard stare and the other half I want to beat somebody senseless for looking at me sideways. I literally had to walk out of an auto parts store empty-handed today because I was afraid I was going to drag a guy over the counter just for trying to be too friendly.

How in the hell do y'all deal with this ****?

 

[Just Jack]

4 minutes ago, Simon said:

How in the hell do y'all deal with this ****?

 

One day at a time.  

[BillsFan4]

I am the same way with dogs. I feel like I just get them (better than humans sometimes. lol). Working with dogs is just something I very much enjoy. I am very big into training them and have spent years studying and learning their language (like what different gestures and behaviors, etc, mean). I can pretty easily read a dog’s body language and gestures/behaviors. It’s so much easier to train and communicate with them once you learn how they “speak”.

 

Anyway…

 

Yeah, losing a pet sucks. I’ve owned dogs my entire life and it never gets any easier to lose one. My condolences on your loss.

 

My best advise is get another dog as soon as you feel ready (IMO, as soon as possible). I don’t mean that to sound cold in any way. I know No new dog can ever replace the one you lost but it can sure help fill that void they left.

 

I lost all 3 of my dogs over a 3 year span back about 8 years ago and it was awful. After the 3rd passed away I swore I wouldn’t get another dog for a while. I made it 2 weeks and decided to just go to the SPCA just to “look”. Well, I adopted a dog and it was the best thing I did to help me heal.

 

Don’t look at it as “replacing” your previous dog. Like I said, no dog can do that. They all have their own unique personalities. No dog will ever be the same as the one you lost. But getting a new dog really helps fill the void. The house is just sooo empty when you’re used to having animals. Getting a new dog brings that life back to the home and gives you something new to focus on. You will still miss your old dog but it really helps getting a new pet.

 

Anyway, that would be my suggestion. I’d also suggest adopting from the SPCA (especially if you live in a state that kills their shelter dogs) or an online group that rescues dogs. Then you get the added reward of knowing you helped save a dog’s life.

 

My most recent rescue came from a kill shelter in Virginia. He was scheduled to be put down in days (before I got him). It still makes me so sad to think that anyone would even think about putting this dog down. He’s probably the smartest dog I’ve ever owned, and maybe the most trainable dog I’ve ever owned too. He was a bit high strung when I first got him but he just needed a little training and direction. He’s so eager to please but he didn’t respond well to certain training methods, and trying to yell would actually make him get More hyper (I try never to yell at my dogs anyway, it’s unnecessary IMO). He just needed to understand what was being asked of him and once I found the right method the change was drastic.

Edited November 1, 2023 by BillsFan4

[mead107]

2 hours ago, Simon said:

 

I'm 55 and have been a dog whisperer ever since I was a kid; I just get them for some reason.

Despite that I never actually owned one until the first time about 10 years ago when we got a Golden puppy and named her Stella.

Saturday night she unexpectedly died in my arms (burying her out at camp at midnight under a full moon on Halloween weekend was not a treat) after almost 10 years of being a constant companion, hiking partner, perfect friend, etc.

I've buried too many people over the years and have carried far more than my share of caskets but I can't recall a time when I've ever been this rattled about losing someone. Half the time I want to sit on the couch with a thousand yard stare and the other half I want to beat somebody senseless for looking at me sideways.

How in the hell do y'all deal with this ****?

 

Think of all the good times together. 

Edited November 2, 2023 by mead107

[Simon]

33 minutes ago, BillsFan4 said:

I can pretty easily read a dog’s body language and gestures/behaviors. It’s so much easier to train and communicate with them once you learn how they “speak”.

100% spot on.

We could read each other instantly and I could tell her what I was thinking with the twitch of a finger and she'd answer smartly every single time.

Thanks for the feedback; I'm pretty sure I'm going to be that widower that tells people he's not dating because he already has a wife.

[Pine Barrens Mafia]

It's never easy. I've lost two.

 

 

[Guffalo]

I know the pain, it is never easy, the loss of a dog is hard. Dogs are the best thing you can share your home with. Dogs don't ask for anything other than your love, in return they give unlimited love and affection. A dog will never steal your girlfriend, will never dent your car, is always happy to see you and will never talk trash about you to his friends. When we lost our last dog, we could not bring ourselves to get another for fear that it wouldn't be THAT one. Some day I will get another, but for now I enjoy the memory of that special dog  and in time you will replace the grief with the great memories you had together.

[Joe Ferguson forever]

get 2 more,  from a shelter,  sisters,,,,

[Augie]

1 hour ago, Simon said:

 

I'm 55 and have been a dog whisperer ever since I was a kid; I just get them for some reason.

Despite that I never actually owned one until the first time about 10 years ago when we got a Golden puppy and named her Stella.

Saturday night she unexpectedly died in my arms (burying her out at camp at midnight under a full moon on Halloween weekend was not a treat) after almost 10 years of being a constant companion, hiking partner, perfect friend, etc.

I've buried too many people over the years and have carried far more than my share of caskets but I can't recall a time when I've ever been this rattled about losing someone. Half the time I want to sit on the couch with a thousand yard stare and the other half I want to beat somebody senseless for looking at me sideways. I literally had to walk out of an auto parts store empty-handed today because I was afraid I was going to drag a guy over the counter for trying to be friendly.

How in the hell do y'all deal with this ****?

 

 

It can be like no other loss. We are on my 8th Golden, so many have gone before. It was always hell. On another page of life my wife loses her father and mother with more grace than I can muster at the final events. BUT THEN, we lost our 14 year old best friend a few months ago, and I have never seen her devastated like that. 

 

And yes, there are tears running down my face, even now. Step back and give yourself a chance to grieve. 

[BringBackFergy]

Never easy. Sorry for your loss. Being with your buddy when he/she passes is tough. You’ll know when the time is right to get another “best friend”. 

[EmotionallyUnstable]

Sorry for your loss.

 

I always try and think of the great life you provided them. Rest easy knowing you gave that pup one hell of a ride. It doesn’t make their absence any easier, but it helps reset your train of thought from time to time. 
 

RiP 

[UConn James]

Going through vision and neurological issues leading to intermittent mobility problems with our almost 14 year old GSP right now. Decisions may be looming before too too long and I need to give him his dignity and don’t want him in any amount of pain. 

 

We've had several previously and it’s always been hard. Losing the last one in 2008 was very difficult for me, a week after losing my maternal grandfather in WNY. I told myself didn’t want another and it went that way for maybe the saddest two years of my life.

 

I’m on the autism spectrum and don’t have many friends and my dogs have always been my companions and I’m sure that losing my current buddy is going to wreck me.

[Punching Bag]

Both of our previous 2 dogs died from cancer. 

 

My wife found it very hard and said no more dogs but when my adult disabled daughter said she was lonely we went to pound and she fell in love with a smaller size German shepherd.  She is a pure bred and owner gave her up when she was injured requiring surgery.

 

It sounds like your dog had a good life.  Take joy in your memories with your friend and you will know when you are ready for another one.

[Buffalo716]

6 hours ago, Simon said:

 

I'm 55 and have been a dog whisperer ever since I was a kid; I just get them for some reason.

Despite that I never actually owned one until the first time about 10 years ago when we got a Golden puppy and named her Stella.

Saturday night she unexpectedly died in my arms (burying her out at camp at midnight under a full moon on Halloween weekend was not a treat) after almost 10 years of being a constant companion, hiking partner, perfect friend, etc.

I've buried too many people over the years and have carried far more than my share of caskets but I can't recall a time when I've ever been this rattled about losing someone. Half the time I want to sit on the couch with a thousand yard stare and the other half I want to beat somebody senseless for looking at me sideways. I literally had to walk out of an auto parts store empty-handed today because I was afraid I was going to drag a guy over the counter for trying to be friendly.

How in the hell do y'all deal with this ****?

 

Sorry for your loss

[Joe Ferguson forever]

1 hour ago, UConn James said:

Going through vision and neurological issues leading to intermittent mobility problems with our almost 14 year old GSP right now. Decisions may be looming before too too long and I need to give him his dignity and don’t want him in any amount of pain. 

 

We've had several previously and it’s always been hard. Losing the last one in 2008 was very difficult for me, a week after losing my maternal grandfather in WNY. I told myself didn’t want another and it went that way for maybe the saddest two years of my life.

 

I’m on the autism spectrum and don’t have many friends and my dogs have always been my companions and I’m sure that losing my current buddy is going to wreck me.

Dude get some puppies.  German GS or Americanized?  Germans are better.

[Bad Things]

God bless ya, Mate.

My almost 13 year-old buddy is laying next to me on the couch right now and I'm absolutely dreading the day she's now longer by my side.

 

Dogs are the best.  They best buddies a person could ever ask for. 

They're pure love, if raised as such.

 

I've heard numerous friends say that the best way to get over the death of a dog, is to go right out and get yourself another one.

The new buddy will occupy your time and attention, and will hopefully ease the pain of missing Stella.

 

My heart goes out to you. 

RIP Stella.

Edited November 2, 2023 by Bad Things

[Joe Ferguson forever]

10 minutes ago, Bad Things said:

God bless ya, Mate.

My almost 13 year-old buddy is laying next to me on the couch right now and I'm absolutely dreading the day she's now longer by my side.

 

Dogs are the best.  They're pure love, if raised as such.

 

I've heard numerous friends say that the best way to get over the death of a dog, is to go right out and get yourself another one.

The new buddy will occupy your time and attention, and will hopefully ease the pain of missing Stella.

 

My heart goes out to you. 

RIP Stella.

does anyone else recognize their recognition of hurt,  I get a cut and they both lick it.  extraordinary.  get puppies,  train them well.   Aussie jack resell mixes.  eat vermin and would die for me.BIG energy tho

Edited November 2, 2023 by Joe Ferguson forever

[Bad Things]

Now, I'm reading through the entire thread and ya bastards got me crying!

[Joe Ferguson forever]

6 hours ago, Simon said:

100% spot on.

We could read each other instantly and I could tell her what I was thinking with the twitch of a finger and she'd answer smartly every single time.

Thanks for the feedback; I'm pretty sure I'm going to be that widower that tells people he's not dating because he already has a wife.

dogs r the best!

[Gregg]

Sorry for your loss. I have gone through this as well. It's never easy. Dogs aren't pets. They are family.