I can’t get over losing my dog, the grief is overwhelming

[JustlookingNotbuying]

My darling little Archie had to be pts 3 weeks ago.
He had battled cancer twice and so well in the last two years but sadly we discovered in July this year that it had returned in his liver and was aggressive.
As a family we were obviously devastated. I know they miss him deeply but dh and the kids have been able to get on with things but Archie was my shadow, my best mate. He was with me almost 24/7 and I just can not get over losing him. I work in 2 hour blocks at a time so he was hardly ever alone, he slept on our bed, came on holidays with us, was hardly ever alone.
When we got him at 6 months old, 10 years ago, I was very low at the time and he really helped me with that.
We would go on 3 walks a day, lots of exercise and fresh air in the countryside helped us both. We met lots of new friends on our walks. And I even rekindled an old friendship as she also has a dog the same age and we would meet up every week.
Since he left, the darkness has come over again. Every inch of my house reminds me of him.
Friends mean well, I know. But so many keep asking when I will get another dog, as though Archie was a worn out pair of shoes I can just replace with new ones. I can not imagine living the rest of my life without a dog as to me they are life but right now the place in my heart is for Archie and him alone.
I wake up heavy hearted, go to bed crying and just feel like I’ve lost a limb. Nothing seems right anymore.
I know I gave him the best life and many poor dogs don’t have that privilege and one day I will open my heart to one (hopefully two) of those less fortune lovelies but right now nothing will help me with this black hole in my life.
He was my shadow, my wingman and now he’s just a box of ashes on my dresser.
How on earth does anyone get over this?

It's only been 3 weeks, give yourself a break! I took a week off work when my cat died, and it took me months of grief. There is no tome limit just because they are animals

@JustlookingNotbuying > Not read the thread yet, but wanted to respond before I go through it, so I may cover what others have said. Yes, the grief is overwhelming, and many others won't understand it. Sometimes that creature climbs into your heart and it's unbearable when you lose them. But you will move on, even it it takes a long time. If you take on another dog they'll be very lucky to get you, because you can give that love to them.

@JimmyGrimble > Your boy looks and sounds wonderful x

I understand completely we lost this little angel on 16th August, a day of complete heartbreak. She was my best friend. The grief is overwhelming and guilt inducing because it's only a dog - but she was so much more to me.

Don't let anyone tell you @Izzydawg that your dog was only a dog, we all know on here how you feel, your dog was beautiful and clearly much loved.

Oh my love he is gorgeous.

I am dreading losing my big bear - I have the softest fluffy German Shepard in the world - and I know he's getting old . I have a little terrier that is 3 but he also loves his big bear and sleeps with him - they are both my shadows and I don't know how I'll cope when my big bear goes - I really feel for you .
It'a grief like any other and times a healer . Be kind to yourself. X

I’m so sorry for your loss, OP. Be kind to yourself and give it time.

I’m sure Archie loved his life and would want you to give another pup the same lovely life - in time, when you’re ready.

What a little beauty. ❤️

Oh I'm sorry, he was a little cracker. It is incredibly painful, don't try to block out the grief just let it through. When I lost my first dog I thought I would never stop crying, it was utterly overwhelming - and she was an awful dog, aggressive and neurotic and caused us years of worry!

But she was so attached to me and relied on me, we had an incredible bond (and now I'm crying because I still feel attached to her even though she's gone).

Sorry posted too soon.

But time moves on and you get used to the loss. Her ashes are in a pot where I grow a rose called "Wildfire" because she was feral and fiery. 😊

Now we have a two and a half year old dog who is sweet natured and loving, I am so besotted with him that I can't bear the idea of ever losing him. But we will one day, I know.

Archie had a great life and was loved. It gets better I promise.

I had my dog (best friend, one in a million) put to sleep a year ago, I wanted to die at the time, a whole year on I still cry for him every day

The Blue Cross Bereavement line really helped me get through those dreaded first few weeks, I made a post on their Facebook page about my dog which was cathartic. I emailed them and phoned, I couldn't have got through it without them

No pain like it, so many of us understand

You will feel better, I promise

Sorry I haven’t come back to the thread. I’m still struggling tbh, I know it’s going to be a case of time but I miss him so bloody much, I just hate being at home right now as every part of it reminds me of him. I wish I had had more than one dog. I know my grief would be the same but at least with another the routine would still be there but everything has just stopped, it feels so final.
Thank you everyone for your kind words and I am so very sorry for your losses too.
Izzydawg I am so sorry, it’s so tough isn’t it, they are never just a dog, I wish people would understand that, they are so so much more to us. She looked like a little princess, so cute.
JanesSadLittleLife a rose is such a lovely idea, I would like to plant something to remember my Archie.
Thank you Cait73 I’m sorry for your loss too. I have just joined the Bluecross bereavement FB group, it’s both heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time, so many on the same journey and so much support. I think I will need to ring their helpline, I am struggling but appreciate it is still early days.

So many people who understand how devestating the grief is when you lose a dog. It won't make the grief any less, but it does let you know that you're not alone.

I lasted a fortnight before phoning Battersea with my very specific demands 😬 New dog is very different from best dog ever but I love him and he’s having a wonderful life he wouldn’t have if I hadn’t filled the best dog ever hole in my life.

I'm so so sorry for your loss. Archie is absolutely gorgeous.

As others have said, it will take time to heal. Be kind to yourself, remember all the adventures you had & cry when you need too.