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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

I wish I had never got a dog.

108 replies

BeetMeToIt · 12/04/2023 19:35

Because I love him so so much I can’t bear the thought of him one day not being my sidekick. I genuinely don’t know how I will get over the pain of when he’s gone. It’s something I occasionally think of and it hits me with such sadness.

He’s 2 <blush>.

I’ve never owned a pet so I had no idea of the love I would feel for a dog. He is a PITA at all times but he has the cutest little face I like to smoosh daily.

OP posts:
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6
IsaiditwasLighthearted · 12/04/2023 23:50

@SirChenjins ooh he's super cute!

Tomorrowisagesaway · 12/04/2023 23:51

I think avoiding getting a dog, or not enjoying having a young dog, because of anticipated grief is sad, as dogs can bring a lot of joy (and fox poo).

For the OP, are you generally anxious? I know others have said they feel the same way, but I think it's a bit extreme to grieve a dog who has 8 to 12 plus years of life left, and who isn't sick.

Do you have the same type of anticipatory grief about elderly relatives?

IsaiditwasLighthearted · 12/04/2023 23:53

crazyBadger · 12/04/2023 22:05

My black lab has just started getting white hairs.. he's nearly 5.

Met a lovley 15yr old brown lab mooching about in the woods called Brenda so it gives me hope

My friend's lovely lab lived to 14, was very well and active until just the last few weeks. She kept a close eye on his weight, which the vet said helped as his joints were very good for a dog of his age. I know of another in our village still out on a decent walk every morning aged 13.
So you could have many happy years yet.

MorePepperPlease · 13/04/2023 00:21

My DH recently said that he would give up years of his own life if he could give them to the dog instead. He gets really upset imagining the future without him 🥹 (he doesn’t have biological children, which might make a difference here , I love the dog but also have DC I’d rather stick around for if I had to choose!)

UrsulaPandress · 13/04/2023 00:28

Don’t be daft. The biggest love you can give to your dog is to provide a loving home to another when they have gone.

It doesn’t get any easier. Just more familiar.

CallieQ · 13/04/2023 00:36

We had to have our 12 year old girl pts today... my heart is breaking 😥

pookiedoodlepuppy · 13/04/2023 00:45

@CallieQ 💐

DramaAlpaca · 13/04/2023 00:46

@CallieQ I hear you, and I'm so sorry. We had our almost 12 year old girl pts a couple of weeks ago, and it was heartbreaking.

We've always had dogs, always springers. I just love them, the best dogs. We only have one left with us now, he's almost 8 and he's the best ever, totally bonded to me. As a family we've made the decision that after this lad we won't ever have another as it's so painful when they go.

MrsCharlesFrere · 13/04/2023 01:09

@CallieQ
@DramaAlpaca

I'm so sorry for your losses.

I'm reading this thread bawling my eyes out while my 6yo snores loudly next door. She's my baby and the thought of losing her makes me feel sick.

Would love to see photos of your dogs if you want to share?

Tanfastic · 13/04/2023 01:15

Cakemonger · 12/04/2023 22:40

I remember this Youtuber I used to follow had a 'last day' with her dog before he was pts - took him to his favourite beach, gave him his favourite food etc. I thought, oh my god, that would be absolutely heartbreaking. I suppose I'd only ever thought of pets dying very suddenly or having to make a sudden decision to have them pts and it happening quite quickly (as bad as that would be). The reality hit me and it has really put me off ever getting a dog. I have cats - I am very attached to them and would be very upset if anything happened to them but it wouldn't be a full on bereavement for me.

I kind of did this. Took him for one last walk in his favourite haunt, cooked him sausages for breakfast and then lay with him telling him all the lovely things I thought about him and what a good boy he'd been over the years. Then I took him. God I'm welling up just typing this 🙈

Tanfastic · 13/04/2023 01:17

CallieQ · 13/04/2023 00:36

We had to have our 12 year old girl pts today... my heart is breaking 😥

I'm so sorry for your loss 🥲

Idratherbepaddleboarding · 13/04/2023 05:31

I feel the same. My dog is 2 too and I can’t bare the fact that he won’t be around forever and ever. @Tanfastic your post made me cry, you’re so strong for doing that.

Labtastic · 13/04/2023 08:06

I saw this drawing ages ago and it stuck with me. It represents closeness in relationships over time.

The dog one 😢 So short but so close to us for that short time.

I wish I had never got a dog.
Baycitystroller · 13/04/2023 09:00

I love my dog with all my heart. Never thought I’d say that. He’s an idiot though 😆

CallieQ · 13/04/2023 09:26

Thanks everyone... here's a photo of my lovely girl 😥

I wish I had never got a dog.
cheeseisthebest · 13/04/2023 09:29

I totally get this, I can't bear the thought of one day losing my beautiful boy. I well up thinking about it. He's almost 2. I love him so much, my first ever dog.

I wish I had never got a dog.
cheeseisthebest · 13/04/2023 09:31

I'm sorry I hadn't read the full thread just the OP, so so sorry for those who have lost their beautiful dogs.

CallieQ · 13/04/2023 09:32

@Tanfastic

I kind of did this. Took him for one last walk in his favourite haunt, cooked him sausages for breakfast and then lay with him telling him all the lovely things I thought about him and what a good boy he'd been over the years. Then I took him. God I'm welling up just typing this 🙈

I did this too... took her for a last walk in our favourite places and gave her loads of leftovers and treats ❤️

helpyhelperton · 13/04/2023 09:36

CallieQ · 13/04/2023 09:26

Thanks everyone... here's a photo of my lovely girl 😥

Sending so much love, she is beautiful.

I heard something the other day that said that dogs don't need to live as long as humans because they are born knowing how to get the best out of life - it takes us decades to learn. I thought that was comforting.

I have a 2 yr old and an 11 yr old and I love them so much I could cry when I talk about them. They are my sunshine (I adore my kids too, obvs).

I actually feel sick when I look at my older girl because the thought of life without her is just unbearable.

Prahdeepx · 13/04/2023 09:36

Unfortunately the day does arrive and it’s terrible. I never got over losing my dog, it’s been a couple of years and I’m still broken. I got another dog but the new one is… just a dog. I can’t explain it. She’s a very nice dog, but just a dog. The previous one was my soulmate. Enjoy your dog while you have him x

FishChipsMushyPeas · 13/04/2023 09:40

Im totally the same with my labradors, its a love I havent felt before! I know that part of having a dog involves knowing that one day you wont have them so Itry to focus on how lucky I am to have had them at all.

Easterfunbun · 13/04/2023 09:48

It is never long enough. I had a very old 17 year old staffy put to sleep a short while ago. I would do it all again ❤️.

Easterfunbun · 13/04/2023 09:49

@Prahdeepx

I think that was your soul dog. You can have multiple dogs over the course of a lifetime but there always seems to be that one……. ❤️

KILM · 13/04/2023 09:59

This thread has made me well up.
I've grown up with with family dogs and loved them so much but my dog - MY dog - she is the love of my life and despite being overall a very practical (some would say slightly cold) person in regards to death as a topic in humans, I will be absolutely inconsolable when she goes!

MrsCharlesFrere · 13/04/2023 10:10

@CallieQ What a beautiful girl. Great photo of her snuggled up. X