How Do You Get Over The Loss Of Your Dog Best Friend?

[Benchster]

Hi there!

We have recently had to put our beloved labrador Benji to sleep. He was only 8 years old and one night, suddenly fell very ill. He was in an awful lot of pain. Blood tests and X-rays showed a high chance of lymphoma in his intestines. Knowing that he was in a lot of pain, the vet gave him high dose painkillers and allowed us to take him for one last walk on the beach where he loved to go. We returned to the vets later where he was given another injection. He went to sleep while we stroked him and talked to him. The sense of loss is indescribeable and our house suddenly became huge and empty.

We are now looking forward to the arrival of our new puppy in two weeks time. We know he will help us move on but he will never be a replacement for Benji. Will it ever get easier to deal with?

 

[DogzRUs]

Its an old saying but still very true, time does heal...you will always love Benji and he will stay in a little peice of your heart reserved only for him, but in time the pain when you think of what has happened will fade and you will be able to smile when you think of him and all of his funny little ways, losing a good friend is never going to be easy but he was lucky to have been so loved

I hope that you thoroughly enjoy your new puppy, it will be lovely to have a cute little one to cuddle again

 

[Sadie]

I feel for you Benchester. The pain you are feeling, is the cost of love. It feels wonderful whilst you beloved is with you, but when parted....it's really hard.

I lost my darling Hannah aged 16, fifteen years ago. She was my best friend. The most gentle, loving whippet ever. So loyal and trusting. We had four whips at the time, but she mothered and nurtured them all.

When the day came that she collapsed and just couldn't get up, we sensed something awful was about to happen, and within 24 hours we had to call the vet - to spare her losing her dignity.

I couldn't talk about Hannah for 3 months after her passing without crying. People wouldn't mention her because they knew how hard it was for me. And we were left with her daughter, who I didn't get on too well with! But we moved on. Months became years, and eventually Sadie went too.

We were without a whippet for 7 months but the house was too quiet and too clean!! Then Sam came into our lives and that was the start of 12 years of more downs than ups, due to an autoimmune condition that reared its head when he turned 18 months old.

Parting with Sam was as hard as Hannah, because he had become such a part of our family and our lives, but when we realised just what pain he was in, we HAD to let him go.

But then we had Jacque and now he has all our love and fun. Jacques is not without his own trauma's but we will stick with him until he gets thru it.

That's what keeping our much loved pets is like. Sunshine and showers. Joy and sorrow. But we always have our precious memories, and as time heals the pain of our loss - for it is we ourselves who are lost, the good times will never be gone from our hearts.

God bless you as you come to terms with life without your canine friend and good luck with your little one! Another special Lab to love and take care of! :huggles:

Sadie x

 

[banana]

The pain when I lost Blu, my Golden Retriever was like nothing I have ever felt before.

I am so sorry for your loss but am excited for your new arrival!

What are you getting?

 

[chelynnah]

Scroll a bit down this section for a post called Chelsea's Legacy which has a link to my memorial on another forum. I so understand what you are going through. It's been just over two months and while the pain has eased (in that I don't feel the crushing drowning pain every minute of the day) I still have a lot of short moments every day.

I had wonderful support from friends all over. One of the things someone said to me that i keep telling myself and I believe is very true is that you don't 'get OVER' it - you 'get THROUGH' it.

Just today i broke down because she wasn't waiting for me when I opened the shower curtain. I had 4 other dogs waiting outside the door, but no Chelsea Bear waiting and shouting at me to get out of the shower when I was done.

The pain of losing her was so intense that even though we have other dogs who I adore, I just didn't know how I would get through. One minute at a time, one day at a time. I was lucky in that we have other dogs that I could pour my love on. Its good that you're getting a new pup. They will never replace your sweet boy, but it will help heal your heart by having someone else to give that love to.

Hugs

Wendy

 

[CharlieBoy]

Hello Benchester,

I'm so sorry for you, losing your Benji. I'm in the same situation as you as we've very recently lost our beloved Cocker Spaniel, Charlie. He was my shadow and I miss him terribly. It will get easier and I'm sure you'll find comfort in your new puppy :0)

 

[Benchster]

Thanks for your replies. Our new pup is another golden labrador boy. We are calling him Alfie. he will be with us in just two weeks time. He will never replace Benji but he will be loved just as much!

 

[banana]

Have you got any pics of him to show us?

 

[Benchster]

I'LL try and put some on!

 

[Zowie&Blackie]

Sorry for your loss, I'm in the same boat with the loss of our lovely yorkie aged 9 called Poppy and 3 years ago Max who died of a heart attack.

Its max loss that my experence of his death I'll pass on to you 3 years ago I found max dead in the kitchen floor, he had died sometime through the night of a heart attackhe was 10.

It was so painfull every dog since had lived to their natural age, so this was a awfull shock, I felt sick I didn't eat well sleep well and I was grieving.

The weeks past I still felt the same, I went and got another collie hoping it would help, and yes with time Blackie I love and adore, but to begin with I coudn't love Blackie the way I felt with Max, I would say it took a year for the pain of the loss to ease, and leave me with great memories.

There is no set time to get over your loss some more than others you will feel it in your heart, as I mentioned Poppy died on the 24 of November it was a sudden death a freak accident, which fractured her spine, once more a premeture death, we and my wife both are going through the process all over once more.

So yes things will get better, a loss of a dog is very painfull when they die of old age, your circumstances sound terrible and very shocking for you, but believe me time does heal, sometimes it takes a while, but the good times with your dog will always be with you, and you will reflect with sadness but the pain will pass, all the best Clive.

 

[banana]

Hello Clive - Welcome to Dog Forum!

Thank you for sharing your story.

 

[Zowie&Blackie]

Hello Clive - Welcome to Dog Forum!

Thank you for sharing your story.

Thank you very much, its tough sharing these things but most caring dog owners will know about the pain of losing a dog, but I never forget the good times, giving your dog a happy life is all we need to do.

 

[lurcherman]

it hurts like hell. when i lost my last lurcher i said id never find one that would fit so close but guess what? 4 months later i got a whipx that goes everywhere with me and hates me being away and i love him to bits, so think of all the great days out you have had, the photos keep you smiling but move on and put everythink into your next dog that will need you just as much as the last..