When does it stop hurting...my boy was PTS

[Vegansnake]

I held my dog in my arms on Saturday morning when he was put to sleep...he was part of the family and we had him nearly 10 yrs..I'm not a soppy type of person...but this has hit me badly..the rest of the family are carrying on with their lives,but I feel this massive ache inside ,and everywhere I look I see dogs.ive burst in to tears 6 times today..nothing feels right in the house.im shocked at how badly I'm taking this..when does it stop

I am so sorry. I can't imagine being without my dog and he is only 5 1/2 months so I can completely understand after 10 years of loving him that you would be distraught to lose a member of your family

Yep that's how it feels..my friend lost a relative on the same day and I feel bad that I'm feeling like this and obviously it's so much worse for her...,and friends have said the whole I'm sorry thing and I feel I need to shut up and get on with life..when his life has ended.

I'm so sorry for your loss. Mine isn't 6 months yet but I already know she will break my heart. They worm their way into your hearts and souls. One day you will think of the good times and smile. Know that he was lucky to have you. I'm a soppy sod and find this helps.

Thankyou Wolfe x

The thing is you are your dogs world. They idolise you and look to you for everything, love, food, company and you spend most of your waking moments giving it to them so is it any surprise when they go that you are left with a big hole.

Try not to compare your grief with your friends as yes that are different but equally they are just as real and individual to both of you.

Thanks sharkx

Vegan, firstly I want to say how very sorry I am for your loss. I happen to feel that the bond between a human and a dog ( or any other animal companion ) is every bit as strong and valid as that between humans.
I've had dogs all of my life and each one has been unique and has given so much . The bond has been intense.
You have loved your dog, and you are grieving his loss. Your feelings are valid and perfectly natural. There aren't any rules about grief and it is a journey to be travelled through. I hope you can feel a bit of comfort knowing that you cared for him, and did the real right thing for him when he most needed you to be strong and to put him first.

As with all losses, the pain will lessen and be lightened by the joyous memories of your time together. He will live in your heart.

Be kind to yourself. My heart goes out to you.

I cried yesterday and we lost our boy two years ago in August. You loved him. It's normal but time will help. So sorry.

Honestly? One of my cats was pts 10 years ago and it still hurts.

Brenda,I remember bringing him home as a puppy,wrapped in a blanket,feeling the same as when I brought my children home from hospital that first time..it has just been like having an extra child..my youngest child is already on at me,when are we getting another dog...I'm shocked at how fickle he is,I could never go through that pain again,of holding him while he dies..

He sounds like he was very loved.

They are like your babies. I co slept with mine for 3 weeks. I even have a baby monitor so I can get up in the night if she's unwell or needs a wee! (And no I didn't gave one for my actual human children!)
Dogs give such joy and unconditional love. Of course you miss him OP. Be kind to yourself.

10 yrs bird,ok so this is going to always hurt then..and west 2 yrs ago,I'm so sorry for both yr losses...did you find friends got fed up with you going over "why" all the time? Or is it just me doing this?

Thanks cabbage,and Wolfe x

I'm so sorry.

It does stop, or at least becomes bearable, over time, but there's no saying how long it takes.

We lasted 3 months before getting another dog. Not everyone will feel the same way but the joy and love they bring helps you forget the pain.

It will always hurt and I will always miss him but the pain is less immediate now and the puppy has helped enormously.

Thanks Mozart.bestiswest,I've said at the least a year,but literally just to get him to stop going on at me..really I can't see us ever having another,those last few days of knowing he was near the end ,and then making the phone all to vets were awful..I cannot go through that again..I think we will have to stay petless.

I'm so sorry Vegan

We lost our beloved DDog1 over three years ago now and I still have a good cry over him now and then. In between those times though I think about him and smile or laugh. I remember the good times and am very grateful we had him in our lives.

It does get easier. You may decide eventually that you want another dog, you may not. Either is fine and you shouldn't feel guilty whatever you decide.

Thanks cornflake,and I'm sorry about yr dog i suppose like anything it gets easier with time..

Oh vegan grief isn't comparable. I lost a close relative and my old boy soon after, it's the two year anniversary this week and I've cried buckets for both of them.

They break your heart.

I don't think I appreciated what an easy going dog he was ,or how we never saw a single ounce of aggression from him.even when the front door was open one day and this huge dog ran in our house and in to the garden,I was screaming at the owners to grab it and get out,he didn't bother ,took it all in his stride..

I know it's new and raw to you, so too early to consider, so I hope this doesn't offend you. I think as every dog, or pet, dies a little bit of your heart goes with them. But equally a new dog or pet arriving gives you their heart, and you grow to love them too, and realise you're not replacing, you're loving a different pet. Until your heart is made up of a patchwork quilt of pet hearts. And a new pet distracts you from the pain you experienced. I've loads of dogs, cats and horses in my memories and in my heart, all of them broke my heart when they died, but all of them gave something special to my life, at different times.

But yes, the worst thing about pets is that they don't live long enough, and we all have to go through the pain of losing them. However the love and joy they give balances and even outweighs that.

I feel bad feeling like this,she lost a relative ,but I can't move on,I feel I need answers from the vets,I still think he had alamba rot,and people need to know ,this can happen if you walk yr dog in woodland..dead 2 weeks after an infected paw ,with destroyed kidneys.

I hear you honey,and nothing would make my children happier...but I'm heartbroken and I'd be terrified the whole thing would happen again...I had / have another thread on here while he was ill and things were so up and down..