Am I totally daft to be crying all day when my dog has just died?

[mamadiva]

My wee dog Hollie died this morning aged 7 years from heart failure, she died in her sleep and didn't suffer at all and itr happened in just a few seconds. Am absolutely heartbroken though I got her for my 15th birthday and loved her to bits. ave practically spent all day crying, is this normal?

Awwww Mamadiva, of course it is completely normal, you have lost a family member. You need to grieve and cry when you feel like crying.

It doesn't matter how much you were expecting it, it still hits you hard.

Yes OI am sure she'd love that

She lived with my mum as myself and DP worked too much but I saw her everyday and she was technically my dog without sounding like a spoilt child there.

I tried explaining to DS that she had gone to doggy heaven and showed him up in the sky and my little sisters (almost 3YO) told him that she had to climb the big ladder to sit on the clouds. Have no idea where that came from though. Made me laugh though I must say.

very sorry

quite clever of her really! - children have a way of working these things out don't they

Yes I suppose it's more realistic than a dog flying I mean who ever heard of that LOL.

My dog was put to sleep on the 4th July after 14 years with us. I was very upset at the time, still get a bit tearful now but each day gets easier.
I still expect him to eat the food I accidently dropped on the floor and then realise I have to pick it up myself. I am also still getting used to not having to avoid stepping on him when I get out of bed too.

My kids took it so well, I was worse than them but we do feel like we lost a part of the family.

Not daft, I cried for months.

Sorry

so sorry for your loss.

They're part of the family, it's only natural to grieve One of the only times I saw my dad cry was when his dogs had to be put to sleep.

And I cried solidly for 2 days when my kitten died. She was gorgeous and I loved her totally!

yes, very normal - am so sorry

God this is really gettin to me now.

I can't go outside without crying. Thinking of her all cold and alone in the creamatorium and then their just going to throw her in a fire. Is horrible to think of.

Sorry for going on I just really need to talk about it even though it is killing me to think she's really gone.

I found that the best way to deal with it was to remember fun things about my dog. I completely blocked what he went through when he was put to sleep as that was the only way I could deal with it. I couldn't even look at a photo of him.

I do have a video of my dog on my phone which I can now watch, so even after just a few weeks, it does get easier.

She is not all alone, that is her body which she no longer needs. You need to think happy thoughts of her but still allow yourself to cry because you miss her, not because she is suffering. You know she is not in pain anymore and that she passed without suffering.

Very sorry for your loss, it is very early days for you.

It is perfectly natural to feel sad, I have lost 2 dogs and a cat and you do grieve, they are like a family member especially when they are old and you have had them for many years. When my elderly cat aged 16 died last year, my youngest DS and I were actually depressed for a while I think, he cried every night for 2 months until we got a kitten. I still miss her because she was a real lap cat and very soothing to cuddle, DS used to take her to bed like a teddy. for you, and please don't diminish your loss in terms of what other people are going through on here.

By the way I found this very helpful with DS when he was grieving

Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends, so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food and water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigour; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing: they miss someone very special to them who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. The bright eyes are intent; the eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to break away from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart. Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together.

Hope this is not too emotional for you at the moment.

No a friend has actually just emailed me hat is a lovely little verse. Is very upsetting but comforting at the same time.

I've never lost anyone close to me before so think it's why it's so difficult to comprehend.

rainbow bridge - seen that before, but gets me everytime - sob, sob...

Just wanted to join in saying that utter grief over pets is totally normal. I've never told anyone but when my cat got killed having been run over 3 yrs ago I totally lost my faith in god. People know me as quite a religious person, think I have a strong faith etc etc...i am embarassed and sad to tell them that my faith was lost when a car hit my cat.

That is really sad but lovely. Made me cry again

Aww justgaveup, I think it is a whole if god is real why did he let it happen thing isnt it. Its jusst supposed to happen but thats not how u see it at the time though.

I know Kid it is a very touching thing. And try not to cry. I'm doing enough of that for all of us trust me am still at it. And now my mums just phoned and shes at it too.

Not daft - shows your love for him - sorry for your loss - lost my cat of 11 years at the end of April - still feel the pangs - but time changes the rawness. Hope you reach the point of happy memories very soon.

oh, now that rainbow bridge verse has me with tears running down my cheeks!

Mamadiva,

So sorry to hear about your dog.
You are not unreasonable and you know you are not alone in feeling like this.

I lost my black labrador in 1994 after 17 years and I still think of him.

My chocolate labrador is now coming up 5 and I already know I'll be heartbroken when his time comes.

But the love they give us while they are here is worth all the heartache....

remember the line: Between pain and nothing, I will take pain...

Take her ashes and set her free... She will always live on in your heart...

So sorry,

I have found that I don't want another dog. I can't put myself through it again. Maybe I will change my mind but thats the way I feel at the moment.

Not at all daft. We got a lovely border collie when I was still at school, she still lives with my parents and is very old now, and I am dreading the day coming when she's no longer with us, even though I've not lived with her for years.

I'm even more dreading the day (hopefully a long way off) when it happens for my own PFB doggiebeanbag, I can't bear the thought of it.

My lovely cat Caspar died 4 years ago at 17. I still sometimes see something black in a corner, or a shadow and think for a split second that it's him and then shed a tear or two.

Just because other people have suffered worse things doesn't mean that you shouldn't grieve for your special friend.

justgaveup - how sad for you to lose two important things in your life at the same time - I hope you have found some resolution now.

Oh, and by the way, if there is an animal heaven, Hollie had better watch out - Caspar the Dog Defying Burmese is waiting for her. He took on a very surprised Great Dane once and won!