Does it get easier?

[ivfbabymomma1]

Yesterday afternoon one of my three dogs was put to sleep and I just can't see this getting any easier, I cannot stop crying.

I dont know why I've posted this, I just guess I just need to know I'll be ok eventually? 😢💔

It's so hard to let them go and take that ultimate responsibility. Our old Ddog was put to sleep in Feb and I was heartbroken. But its does get easier. You never forget them, but in time you will remember more about what made them a wonderful companion rather than the aching sadness you feel right now.

Thank you! It just feels like the end of the world right now! 😢

It does but it takes time, there will come a time when you remember the good times rather than the dreadful last days more. It even so you do get caught unawares sometimes, something will trigger a memory, a feeling & you do still cry. I’ve lost so many dogs over many years of owning lots of dogs. Now I don’t get upset at the ones who died decades ago, just always remember their funny little ways, how lucky I was to have them in my life, but I still cry sometimes for the one I lost in February & one before who died two years ago. But no matter how many other dogs you own in your life, each one holds their special little place in your heart, they just budge up to make room for the new ones.

You will be ok. Not today or tomorrow, but eventually.
I’m not sure when it gets easier but at some point you will realise that you can think and talk about them without bursting into tears immediately.

It’s been nearly 10years and I sometimes still tear up a bit when talking about my Copper.

What was your dogs name? I’ll ask Copper to keep an eye on them for you

Darklane captures it perfectly. It doesn't exactly get easier, but it gets less all the time.

I found this analogy helpfully accurate:

psychcentral.com/blog/coping-with-grief-the-ball-the-box#2

But yes, it's awful. Sufficiently awful that, two and a half years on, I'm having to skim-read your post because it's still too raw. But, two and a half years on, I'm no longer overwhelmed by it, either.

Take time to grieve. Take time, as well, to remember all the awesome things that made your dog the best dog in the world.

Sorry for your loss OP . I think Darklane has put it perfectly, this is my experience too.

I echo everything previous posters has said.
Sorry for your loss

So sorry OP it’s totally heartbreaking I know. You will learn to live with it, but it takes time. Early days, be kind to yourself.

sending , yes it does get easier but obviously tou never forget. We lost our beloved boys 6 and 8 years ago now, we still talk about them as if they are here!.
After swearing never to get another we've now got a 4 month old and its lovely.

@RunningFromInsanity yes please that's lovely, she's was called Minnie, she's was a little grey chihuahua. I know many people don't like chihuahuas but she was beautiful and gentle and quiet. I miss her so much.

Thank you everyone. I stop crying and then suddenly out of no where I get a frying pan of grief to the face and I can't stop myself. 💔

We had 1 of our ddogs pts Feb 2020. Still devastated... And feel guilty...
Other ddogs but still a huge gap in our home.
We had photos framed but can't put them up yet..
Sorry for your loss op.

Awwww Minnie sounds lovely.

And Copper, too.

And all the other lost dogs on this thread.

She sounds absolutely lovely. Chihuahuas are lovely little dogs,
ones I’ve encountered can be so different, spunky little firecrackers to quiet little ones who just love a knee to snuggle on. But they all have such personality.
I know that it’s the right & kindest thing to do, to let the vet take away their pain when there’s no hope left. But I’ve always found that it’s extra difficult, perhaps just me. The ones that have quietly passed away at home, often in their sleep, I’ve found easier to accept, grieve but come to terms with. But, no matter how right the decision, I’ve never been able to get over some feelings of guilt with ones that the vet has put to sleep. I tend to beat myself up more & find it hard to accept that it was right so the pain has been more gut wrenching & longer.
It’s never easy is it?
Thinking of you

it does get a bit easier - but you will find when reading threads like this - it all comes back. Any sad story of dogs dying or PTS brings a huge lump to my throat and often I cry because the painful memory is still there and I miss each and every one of the dogs I have been fortunate enough to have in my life.
I keep my dogs in my heart along with the members of my family I have lost over the years - there is room for all of them
I lost my previous dog last October - she was on a 5 minute drive down the road to the vets to be PTS and she died in the car - that was hard - and I did not really get to say a peaceful goodbye and because of Covid she was whisked away in the vets.
I have all my dogs' ashes with photos where I can see them and when current doggie goes - she will join them
I intend to have their ashes added to my coffin when I go and we can all go together - they have always been part of my life

to add - sorry for your loss - it is heartbreaking.

I think I really needed your post OP. I’m leaving for the vet in 5 mins to have our 12 year shepherd mix PTS.
I feel immense guilt, is it too soon? Does he have more time? Honest answer is no, but I’ve got a pit of anxiety right now.
I know it’ll be awful and hard and I can’t bear to think of the sadness. He was our first baby and I feel that we’re letting him down.
Even when it’s the right time, it never feels that way. Im sorry for your loss 💐

@Strokethefurrywall Thinking of you

I’m so sorry. It’s utterly heartbreaking but I promise it gets easier. You’ll be able to remember how much you meant to each other and smile.

Much love to you both @ivfbabymomma1 and @Strokethefurrywall

Thank you, we are home. Our Elvis’s passing was very peaceful and stress free for him. Absolutely gutted and our other dog keeps looking around for his brother, but we couldn’t have asked for a better death for him.
He had a big yawn, a big sigh and then lay his head down and went to sleep 😞

I'm so sorry for your loss too @Strokethefurrywall ❤️

Thank you everyone for your lovely comments and I'm so sorry if it brought back painful memories. To be honest I'm finding it hard to come back to this post myself. It's just so raw! And because I have another 2 at home (so I had 3 in total) I keep noticing she's missing and shouting her name 💔

This will be of little comfort but we had 2 boys and when the first passed away I was so worried about our other boy as he'd never been on his own. Our vet said that they often thrive because they now get your full attention and he was right. Also the fact that we still had to get up and go out kept us in a routine.
On reflection it was much harder when winterdog 2 passed because the house was sooo empty and quiet.

@Ilikewinter it's sort of then same for me, we have 2 remaining chihuahuas. Did your dog missed his sibling? Mine aren't showing any signs of anything. I also have a 2 year old son and by the time we got back from the vets it was his tea time so I just had to get home, crack on with tea and do bath time etc. I was in full auto pilot mode though. My body was doing the work but my mind wasn't there at all 💔

He did look for him when i came home alone but then just got on with it. I found it hard because I used to walk him so I felt lost when we went out with only 1 dog but I adjusted eventually.
We still have their food bowls, bearing in mind we lost winterdog 2 about 6 years ago, and have now got a 4 month old collie...thats how long it took to feel ready to open our hearts again.