My amazing dog has died… When to take away bed and toys

[RappelChoan]

I don’t think I’ve titled this right but I had to put my gorgeous dog to sleep today. It was 100% the right time, he was very poorly and had a great life until very recently. Showed me overnight that he was in pain and his favourite vet put him to sleep as soon as they opened up. Now I am looking at his bed and toys and thinking I can’t bear to get rid of them. My kids are young adults and I need to do what is best for them but I can’t think straight.

I'm so sorry OP.
We also buried our cat with her toys and a blanket she slept on - in her favourite spot in the garden.
We chucked every thing the day after, but put photos up of her. It was horrible seeing her food bowls and beds knowing she wouldn't come back.
There's never a right or wrong here though.

You don't need to do anything right now. Greive your dog. When you are ready then you can move them or get rid of them if you feel comfortable too. There is no rush and his bed and toys being there are noone else's business but yours. I'm very sorry for your loss 😔

I am so sorry for your loss. I think you will know when the time comes, but today is too early to put pressure on yourself. If you can ever bring yourself to donate to a shelter or charity shop that can be a nice thing to do, or maybe wait to see if at some point you want to have another dog. But that is for the future, no need to worry about it today.

I still can’t put my little dog’s bed away and she passed away in June. It is at the side of my bed where she always slept. She was only 5 years old and was struck with an immune disorder. She was a delight, and made us laugh every day with her funny antics. I just can’t part with that little bed even though it’s empty. I’m so sorry for your loss.

I’m so sorry for the loss of your dog. I’ve kept collars from both my boxers & their favourite toys- they are with my dogs ashes. I got rid of beds (they were well used) washed & donated bowls & donated food/treats. The vet took a print of my Lola’s paw- she had lymphoma & passed away at 4. I have her paw print tattooed on my arm.

Our lovely little indoor cat left us last night after 15 years so I feel your pain. Its hard to keep seeing their things around the house but equally hard to get rid of them! Do what feels right for you ❤️

I am am so sorry to all of you on this thread losing beloved pets. It is so hard. I think it all depends re toys and beds with what works for you. We kept some things too. Much love to you all.

I’m so sorry you lost your amazing dog.

The day we said goodbye to our amazing dog we put them all his possession in the back of the car. The next day we drove to the nearest storage unit - we put everything in there and we still can’t face the pain of going back and dealing with them.

So sorry for your loss OP 🐾 🌈 ✨ 🐾 we lost DDog Nov 24 and still have some of his things around the house as I can’t part with them yet. DH still has his bed out in his office too with a soft dog in it ❤️‍🩹

My dad still has our old dogs collar and she passed in 1990. He sits in his chair, picks up his coffee and his other hand goes to stroke the dog that isn’t there even now. Take as much time as you need, you might feel better having them out of sight but in the house for a while

I'm so sorry
I kept my boys things for over a year and when I felt ready, I donated his soft toys to a rescue. Other items I listed on our local village group, offering them for free to a good home.

Someone collected them the same day, but I had such kind replies from so many people that it really helped.

There's no rush, keep them until you feel ready to let them go.

We still have our dog’s bed and toys in the loft and it’s five years since he left us. I’m finally going to get myself together and donate them to them to the nearest animal rescue. I haven’t been able to until now as it somehow felt wrong.

I'm not suggesting I'm normal, but my dog died 5 months ago. Most of her things (collars, toys etc) are still all out other than a few special things that I have put in a momento box. Admittedly I do have another dog, so things like beds and bowls are still in use for him. It took me months before I could wash her little jumpers, but then I put these back in the cupboard where they've always been. Every time I think about putting her things away it just feels like I'm erasing her.

I don't think there's a timeline on grief, and I think everyone deals differently.

I do like a PP's idea of putting the ID tag on your keyring, I might do that too.

I ended up moving bowls and beds but I don't know if I've done right or wrong. My other dog has taken the loss of her companion really badly. I thought the stuff might be making her more upset. She's not been eating much, isn't enjoying walks, tail is down and her breathing is rapid - a very anxious, unhappy little dog. I've cancelled my plans for tomorrow as I don't want to leave her.

Move them when you are ready.

My grandparents had their dog's water bowl and lead hung up for years (until they themselves died)

I am sorry but glad your doggie got a home full of love and happy times.

I lost two dogs within 2 weeks of each other last October. One was old and pts as she was poorly and the other was only 3, someone left the side gate openwhen I was at work.( teens were in and had let her out for a wee) and she was knocked over. I am devastated and I still can’t bring myself to move their beds or put their stuff away.

We did take all the things to the RSPCA yesterday and it felt poignant. I consoled myself that dogs who needed them would get some beds and toys. Thinking of you OP.