My dog died yesterday

[HarrietBasset]

My lovely girl crossed the rainbow bridge yesterday. She was a 12 year old Basset Hound and I'd had her since she was 8 weeks old. She saw me through the death of my first baby and was a wonderful companion and adored my three children.
I'm just beyond devastated and although I am trying to put a brave face on for Christmas with the family I am really struggling. I just can't believe i won't see her again 😔😔

[CatnissEverdene]

We had to have our very much loved lab put to sleep at the beginning of January 3 years ago. I still really miss her and have shed a few tears this Christmas, in spite of having 2 wonderful dogs by my side.

They are family. I'm really sorry for your loss

[Life0fBrian]

We too lost our girl on Christmas Eve and are devastated. Much like you, we had her from 8 weeks until bastard cancer snatched her on Christmas Eve with no warning at all - she wouldn’t have known it and nor would we, then suddenly we had to have her pts. She would have been 12 yesterday and should have lived another 2-4 years for her breed. I am thankful for 12 wonderful years and memories, but it’s truly painful. Made worse that my kids are so young so whilst the eldest gets it to an extent, they are all behaving very badly and we are grieving. It’s shit.

[HarrietBasset]

LifeofBrian - I am so sorry. I understand how you feel with the kids too. My eldest is 9 and understands and is also very sad, my twins are 5 though and although understand to an extent are also playing up a bit which is exhausting. Plus obviously our tolerance levels are considerably lower than usual.
Most basset hounds live to around 10 so mine was on borrowed time but she was very happy until a fortnight ago when she suddenly declined.
To have yours taken unexpectedly and to cancer is devastating xxx

[Hogtini]

So sorry

[Life0fBrian]

@HarrietBasset thing is even when it’s borrowed time it still utterly sucks. We lost our cat several years ago and she was almost 20...although I accepted she had to go sometime, it was still very painful, especially when they seem to be doing quite well.

We’ve still got our boy, and already I’m thinking we will need to get him a playmate next year as I don’t want him to become miserable, they were never apart....plus I can’t bear a one dog household having had a 2 dog household for nearly 10 years! I am the sort of person who’d have about four dogs though, I hold my hands up to it!

[Otterseatpuffinsdontthey]

[HarrietBasset]

I am in the very difficult position of desperately wanting another dog after a little bit of time to grieve for this one (I've pretty much always had dogs) but my husband, at the moment doesn't want another one at all.... I'm hoping this is just a temporary thing because he has been hurt by her death but I'm not sure. She was very much my dog if that makes sense and he likes the idea of freedom in terms of being able to go out for the day/holidays etc.
I feel that a break to grieve is important but the idea of not having another dog in the not so distant future is probably a deal breaker for me.
I hope your dog isn't missing his buddy too much xx

[DashOfMagic]

Hi OP so sorry to hear of your loss. We lost our dog 2 yrs ago and I still teared up thinking of him reading your posts. As others have said, other dog people completely get it, there’s no loss like it they are so part of every bit of your life.

I was like your husband, considering not getting another one as i liked the idea of being able to go out without having to squeeze through a 3inch gap so he didn’t escape or leave hundreds of treats and toys down so he didn’t beagle-howl constantly if we were gone longer than 10 minutes commitments. That didn’t last and new boy is currently snuggled up around my neck (he thinks he’s small, he’s not).

My husband wanted another one straight away and where he was looking at profiles from local rescues I gave in quickly. Tbh I think we got him too soon as I took a while to love him. But give it time and then start looking, if your DH is also a dog person at heart and you have always had dogs he’ll probably change his mind. Maybe get a holiday in first.

So sorry again for your loss especially the timing. Best wishes to you and your family

[thereallifesaffy]

We held out for 4 months and have just welcomed our new dear pup into our lives. I couldn't wait any longer. In a way I feel we are being disloyal to our precious darling dog. But I like to imagine him looking down and thinking 'ah I trained those two legs well'.
Do what feels right. I know I already love our new pup. But his predecessor walks beside us

[Life0fBrian]

@harriet one thing I am doing to bring myself and DH comfort is having some of her ashes made into jewellery for me and cufflinks for DH. There are some crazy expensive ones when you google (think £600 for a ring) but also very reasonable ones on Etsy for around £30 to have some ashes set into a bead or some resin. With my cat we planted her ashes underneath a plant bought specifically for her so she grows up through it. With my beloved dog I can’t do that, so I’m looking to get something for the house. I can’t bear to have her in the garden or favourite walk locations away from me. I hated burying my nan for the same reason - I felt she was alone in the dark down there. It sounds silly perhapsbut she was always with us and needs to continue to be, so I thought a necklace I can wear close to my heart is the answer, because she is part of my heart forever, and also something made for the house. At the moment every time I walk past her photo I kiss my finger and press a kiss to her nose. I did it with my cat’s photo for a long time. They are our babies and we grieve them so.

[HarrietBasset]

The jewellery idea sounds lovely.
We get her ashes back next week and I also plan to keep her at home with us. We had a little girl who was stillborn at term and my dog was my rock through that and often the only reason i left the house was to walk her. So I've always said when I die I want my daughter's ashes and my dogs to be interned with mine so we are together again.
I've just made a photobook with my kids of our dogs life and I talk to her photo every day and say goodnight to her. xxx

[Life0fBrian]

Oh Harriet that’s so tough for you. I understand that bond, my dog was my rock too through infertility and some other horrible situations. When I was at my lowest, she’d be snuggling me. She could read my moods and was so intuitive. I love the idea of your ashes, your dog’s and your daughter’s all being together. That’s so precious. And to you for your daughter, that must have been awful. I sadly have insight into it through close friends and I know there is no pain in the world like losing a child.

[Fluffypot333]

So sorry on the loss your dear doggy.Our old girl passed away a few months back and we were dead set against going through it with another dog but now I am coming round to idea of it .I also came across a short youtube film called The Circle which made me think maybe we should .A warning though,you will cry but it is heart warming at the same time.Again so sorry for your loss and that of your daughter .Take care.

[HarrietBasset]

Thanks everyone for the support.
I can't believe its been a week since we had our lovely girl put to sleep. I miss her desperately.
Ill watch the circle video when i feel strong enough. At the moment the smallest thing is sending me into floods of tears.
I really appreciate you sharing your experiences with me, its made things a bit less lonely xx