DP completely devastated over dog's death

[Powerbelowseat]

My partner had a ddog who died last week after a long battle with cancer. DP can barely function and I am struggling. The one thing he is finding comfort in is doing lots of rememberance-type activities, like still going on the walks they went on, making donations to dog shelters but I would like to give him something or do something commemorative or creative which shows that I care and I wondered whether there was anything fun or creative or lovely that I was not aware of? I only came into canine world after being with him so I am not familiar with the small companies that do lovely dog rememberance products or services.

I don't think there is much you can do, except be there through his grief. I lost my lovely dog to cancer earlier this year, and friends sent cards and chocolate and flowers and a rose bush named One in a Million, and a locket with her name on etc,etc. It was kind, but it didn't touch me. Nothing helped in the slightest because she was gone. Nothing fun or lovely or creative in the world would bring her back. I think your company sometimes on the walks, and your patience when he asks, too often, 'What could I have done?' 'How much do you think she suffered?' will be invaluable though.

So sorry for your partner’s loss OP, you sound so kind and supportive. Losing a dog is devastating, we lost our beloved girl last year and were gifted an olive tree which we plan to replant in a pot with some of her ashes. You can also get plaques on Etsy etc with the dog’s name etc. to put in the plant pot. We also framed her collar and tags and had a paw print done and framed by the crematorium. There’s also loads of other ways to remember them, photo books, tattoos, pet portraits, memorial jewellery, it all depends on what you relate to. But grief is very personal, I took great comfort in friends sending cards and flowers, but as a PP said, others might not. I’d suggest something he relates to, and of course just being there on walks and sharing memories. Good luck 💐

I lost mine just over a year ago after 12 years, and l can honestly say it was harder than a close relative of mine passing away. It has taken a full year to get over it and I still have tearful moments now, but l did find it helpful to put her ashes in a tub very recently with a rose we chose from a bereavement section of a garden centre called 'peace'. Her resting place is her old den at the bottom of the garden.
ETSY do pet memorials which are metal/personalised and suitable for placing in a flower bed.
Take things day by day.

Just go away!

What a horrible message.

We were devastated when our Ddog died. We were both tearful for months. Even over 2 years later losing him makes me sad. As a PP said, more than losing a family member because Ddog was part of the everyday fabric of our lives.

It does get better though

We bought a nice notebook when our dog died (quite sudden and unexpected). We filled it with memories of her as they came to us - didn’t read back to see what each other had put at the time, because that would have been too upsetting but I came across it the other day and it was lovely to read.
The idea came because we were worried the horrendous last couple of days of her life would outweigh the 11 brilliant years we had with her, so it was a way of focussing on the positives.

For someone people their dog is everything. Maybe they don’t have a family or many friends or they have emotional needs and the dog helps.
It’s fair enough they would be devastated.
When my dog died I was so upset, he was more reliable than my partner (at the time) and had a nicer personality.

The everyday fabric of our lives
that’s so lovely ❤️

We lost our ddog to cancer last year, he was my dh dog and my DH was devastated. He was a lot worse over the dog than when his father died. It takes time. Let him do what he needs to do to get through the day. It's coming up a year and I know my DH is struggling coming up to the anniversary.

Does he gave the dog's ashes as I was thinking maybe a plant to put the ashes under and a pot if needed.

Losing a pet is devasting , I know

My Parents were rarely physically or emotionally around for me when I was a child and our cat was my closest companion and it would sleep on my bed and I would treat her like a confidante. We had her from when I was 10 years old and she died when I was 26 so she was there for me throughout my formative years.

I have treated my subsequent cats likewise even though I’m happily married and can talk to dh about anything. My pets are part of the family and when they pass they are grieved for as family members.

I lost my dog almost 2 months ago and I’m still devastated. I think I never truly realised how much emotional support she gave me. She was my heart and soul dog, I was her everything she was a 100% Velcro dog. I miss her so much.

I got a little plaque from Etsy to put her collar in with her photo, one of my DDs wanted some personalised jewellery and a photo of her in a frame.

We lost our very old and very ill,dog recently - earlier this month in fact. He went peacefully in his sleep when he was ready to go. It was perfect for him and I'm pleased he managed to have the ending he and we wanted.

However, not a day has past when I haven't cried at least twice. My partner is the same. There js nothing that helps us at all to cope with losing him, except the puppy that we decided, on impulse, that we needed as our house was too quiet and E,pty without a dog.

We pick him up in a couple of weeks and although the sadness of losing the old man is still raw, having a little pup to look forward to sharing our lives with makes it a little better.