Grief of losing our beloved dog

[Rossa3112]

Hi all, I'm really struggling with the awful grief, sadness and emptiness I'm feeling on the sudden loss of our only furry family member.

Our beautiful boy was only 8 and full of life. It was cruelly snatched away from him on Monday after sadly he'd eaten a kebab at our BBQ I didn't know on the Saturday before, he didn't show symptoms until the Wednesday night when I took him the vets. They diagnosed possibly pancreatitis and I thought it could be that as he'd cheekily had burgers and sausages from the BBQ, they were given to him though as he loved them. After rushing him the hospital on the Friday, they investigated and saw what they though was gas and possibly an object on the scans. We chose for them to operate on Saturday and dreadfully they found the kebab stick. My poor baby got peritonitis then sepsis and was struggling with the infection and passed away tragically in my arms on Monday.

I'm wracked with guilt, sadness and emptiness, we all miss him dreadfully😭I keep looking for him and our daily walks were like clockwork so I've lost my purpose as we loved to walk for miles each day😭I don't know how I'll get over his loss and the trauma he and we went through. I hate to think of him alone in that hospital for 3 nights, I should have been with him 😭he was our life for 8 years, all our days outs we're around taking him with us.

We had booked a trip away for this week around what he'd like and it would have been wonderful walks, swims etc for him, I'm heartbroken 😭

I’m so sorry for your loss. Dogs occupy such a wonderful space in our lives and hearts. When they slip away through old age it’s hard enough but to lose him in the way you did is truly terrible. Nothing anyone can say or do will help right now but there will come a day when you feel strong enough to fill that hole with another bundle of love.

I'm sorry.
What a tragic accident. It sounds like he had a lovely life with you and your family.

I'm with the previous poster. It's horribly painful right now but one day you might decide it's time for another dog. Be kind to yourself now.

I'm so sorry for your loss. Our lovely boy died earlier this year and it was devastating, even though he was an old boy. I knew I would be sad when he died but I didn't anticipate the 'proper' grief, comparable to losing a human family member. The circumstances must have been so shocking for you all too, so you're dealing with the trauma of that on top of the grief. Please don't feel guilty, dogs are absolute buggers for stealing stuff they shouldn't. You did everything you could to make him better.

It sounds as though your boy had a fabulous life with you and had all the good things a dog could wish for. You will learn to live without him. It does get easier and there will be a time when you can remember him with happiness.

I'm so sorry op . They really are a huge part of daily routines so they leave a massive hole in our lives. Even harder when it was an accident.

The only advice I'd give you is it really does get easier. When we lost a much loved dog i was surprised at how devastated I was, I couldn't stop crying but then you do. You then manage to accept it and while still sad you will come to terms with it and look back with fondness about your time together.

Dogs eat tat, it's a fact and whether it was kebab stick or a piece of wood or metal anything could've caused it so don't beat yourself up about it.

I'm so sorry OP. My heart goes out to you, it really does.

Take good care x

I know how hard it is. We lost our boy in a hit and run in May and still a day hasn't gone by when I don't think about him and miss him dreadfully. I completely get what you mean about lacking a purpose too - my whole routine was shot to pieces in just one afternoon. We have recently got a new rescue and while she'll never replace him, she's definitely helping fill the void. Know that's not for everyone though. With love x

Thank you for all your lovely messages and also sorry to hear of your pain losing a beloved pet, they really are our world aren't they. It's so cruel my baby had so much life left to live and love to give and receive.

Not sure how to deal with this loss but your kind words provide comfort, thank you ♥️🌈

I forgot to mention that I found the Blue Cross Pet Bereavement telephone counselling and Facebook support group incredibly helpful. Also this article .. .https://www.theralphsite.com/index.php?idPage=90

I'm so sorry ❤️
I went through this just over a month ago where our dog was attacked and died.. I spent days grieving and it was horrible 🥺 sending you love x

I lost one of mine 18mths ago, she was only 6. It was sudden and unexpected. Most dogs survive haemorrhagic gastroenteritis but for some reason she didn't. She started picking up overnight at the vets then went downhill at 5am. I also have her sister and they've never been apart til now.

The pain is awful, all the what if I'd done this, hadn't done that etc. I know how you feel. Please don't blame yourself, clearly it's not your fault, the grief is hard enough. It still hurts 18mths on but the initial shock, rawness and pain of it all does fade somewhat and the good memories you have will come back. Be kind to yourself.

So sorry for your loss. Just remember that you gave him years of love and that can’t be undone by a tragic accident.

@Rossa3112 > So, so feel for you for your loss. It hurts like hell, but you and him had each other before that.

I'm really sorry for the loss of your lovely companion. I just can't imagine how you feel xx

I am so sorry. The loss is awful when a dog dies. They are so much part of family life. It does get easier with time.

It's almost a year since our greyhound girl died (day before the Queen's funeral) and I have been thinking about her a lot. We always get rescue dogs and so have less time with them rather than having from a puppy but it's a great comfort knowing the lovely life they had with us. We did get another dog last December and she also brings much joy.