Getting over losing your pet

[SmartyPants0]

I've recently had to have my old dog put to sleep. She was my constant companion for 11 years and we went through so much together, but having her by my side made life so much easier. She gave me that reason to get up in the mornings.

It was my first day back to an empty house today and I'm feeling down. I know a walk would do me good but it seems pointless walking alone now.

I'm not in a position to get another dog... I don't want to walk someone else's. Has anyone got any tips for me to make the early days more bearable.
Thank you

I'm not the best to gIve advice, as we are 3 years in and I still burst into tears about our old girl at times. It is a real loss and let yourself grieve properly. Don't feel you have to rush to feel better, you don't. Think of ways to remember them best, we have a plot at a pet cemetery to visit, and kept her lead and collar. We also used her name as inspiration for our daughter. Dogs are a huge part of our lives.
I'm so sorry for your loss

I’m so so sorry, it the hardest thing to go through, I wish I could say something to make you feel a bit better. Is there someone you can speak to about your loss? If not I think the Blue Cross offer a pet bereavement counselling service if you do feel you need to talk. Thinking of you

sorry for your loss
I am about 1 year on from losing my beloved dog at 14 yo and even though I have rehomed a completely different dog who gets me out of the house - I cannot fill the hole he left in my life - probably never will. Each dog is unique and affects our lives in differant ways
I still hurt from all the dogs I have lost and can burst into tears over the loss many times. It does ease a little but there is no time limit on grief.
When I first lost him - I made myself go for walks on my own - where we used to walk - it was cathartic but necessary for me to work through my feelings.
I should have waited to get another dog - but the house was so empty.
My thoughts are with you - dogs give us so much and take our heart with them when they have to go.

You need time to mourn your loss. Perhaps expecting yourself to feel able to cope with it isn't something you're ready for yet.

Don't really have any advice to give on how to feel better. Just sorry for your loss.

Hello @smartypants I am so sorry for your loss of a wonderful old friend.
Firstly,be kind to yourself,accept that you are mourning and don't try to tell yourself to pull yourself together,it doesn't work like that.
How about making a memory board up of photos of your old friend,walks you went on,his own habits,something you can do with love and look back on over the years with a smile.
Also,create a spot in the garden,plant some flowers and have somewhere you can keep as a memorial site to sit and talk of think about him.
Don't get rid of anything of his until you are ready.
Most of all,remember you gave him a lovely life and he was happy.

Thank you all for your replies. I went for a walk last night as the house was so empty and i must admit going for a walk seems pointless without a dog. I also received a card from the vets yesterday with some forget me not seeds which I will plant.
Tonight I am going swimming.

It's just filling my time that I'm finding hard. I also haven't posted on social media about her yet as I feel I need to get my head around it first, so I guess I haven't had that chance to talk about her. Good idea about the memory board, I'm going to sort out my photos tonight, Ive actually got more photos of the dog than I do of the kids lol.

I’m glad you managed to go for a walk, it’s good you are being pro active and are trying to fill your time, it’s very early days so take things easy.

After our 10 yr old terrier died in dramatic circumstances back in Jan, I felt properly depressed for a good 8 weeks. Then it did lift a little. Time eventually heals. Even now, 7 months on I might see something or reflect on his loss as well up. But it's shorter lived now.
As for the presence in the house, this was hard to bear and we've now got a pup....all consuming! It's great that your swimming ....maybe plan a few visits etc away from the house so that you look forward to returning there a little rather than dreading it.
So very sorry for your painful loss OP 💐

Talk to friends and ex pet owners ....people that can truely understand your loss and pain, that really helps.

So sorry OP.Our Irish Terrier was put to sleep at home 2 years ago.She was 12.....I cried so much it was unbearable.However,we still had/have a Jack Russell who is now 13 and 2 children to deal with. We now have an Irish terrier male puppy as our 1st Irish terrier was female. He brings us great joy.This took us nearly 2 years though. Will you ever be in the position to have a dog again? Or could you volunteer to walk dogs at a rescue centre? It will get better but every now and then the feelings/memories are overwhelming.

Oh,OP. I just wanted to say how very sorry I am for your great loss.

Dogs really are man's best friend. Well done for getting out and all the best x

I’m so sorry for your loss, I had my dog PTS last Saturday I understand how you feel, its just the little things you miss like giving them a quick Pat when they walk past or seeing their body sprawled out across the sofa, it’s so sad and I don’t think you will ever get over the loss. You have a big piece of your heart missing and I believe you will never get over the sadness but will learn to live with it.
It’s far too soon to think about another dog even if your were in a position to get another, they are like children and the only thing that will heal your pain is time. I’m still devastated my big lad was only eight but I know he had the best life ever, just think to yourself your dog had the best 11 years and I’m sure any other dog would of been lucky to have been loved like that for half the amount of time.

We lost our old boy 2 years ago he was nearly 17. He'd been by my side through thick and thin, my only friend at times. He was bought for me by my partner when he was diagnosed terminally ill, to look after me so to speak, and he really did. So losing him was awful, and I am still grieving now. We had a canvas made of him and we have it on the living room wall so I see him and talk about him every day. I do often feel his presence, I thought I smelled him only yesterday! I don't think they ever leave us op. Don't get another dog too soon, allow yourself to grieve first, but then another dog will definitely help.

Sending love to you.