How long does pet loss grief last?

It is so difficult. We had our last rescue dog for 16 years and my best friend of 35 years had never seen me cry before and was amazed how distressed I was the day she was put to sleep. She left such a hole in our lives. We have had another rescue for nearly two years now, she was hard work at the beginning but we are suddenly seeing such improvement and it is marvellous. She is a completely different dog to the ones that have gone before. I think we have deliberately chosen different sorts of digs so we wouldn't compare them. We still talk lovingly about our other dogs and all their funny querks and we are so pleased to have those happy memories of them. No dog can replace the one you have lost and the getting over the loss of them takes a long time but eventually we remember just the good bits. Thinking of you at this difficult time.x

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Every sympathy.
I cried and cried when lovely Gracie had to be PTS, when I buried her ashes in the garden and planted a “Grace” rose .
I used to go out and talk to her and cry some more.
Gradually I realised that to give a home to another rescue dog was the best memorial to her and 4 months later Hattie joined us.
How long?
As long as you need, but for me, filling that dog-shaped space with another rescue was the answer.

I feel for you MommaP, our lovely pets bring us so much pleasure but the pain of losing them is terrible.
I, like ladymuck remember all my pets and even now I can 'tear up' thinking of my beautiful German Shepherd who I had for fifteen years.
It took me a while to feel like I could love another dog, then I got my lovely Golden Lab cross, who is now unbelievably 16 years old
and is amazing for her age.
I am dreading the inevitable and I have already decided that I will get another dog because quite simply, I just can't live without one but all the others are forever in my heart.

Yes, every pet has a special place in our heart, just like our human loved one's. Just a year ago, we discovered that our fit, happy six year old dog was struggling to walk. 24 days from the first sign all wasn't well, our vet came out to ease his passing from this world. An MRI scan the previous day showed a large, inoperable tumour along his spine. By that day, he couldn't use his back legs, was confused and clearly in pain. It was brutally quick, five days earlier, the diagnosis had been slipped disc and treatment plan rest. His deterioration over night led to the MRI scan which of course, meant we had to make that last loving choice you can for your dog.
I'm still so sad and bereft, miss him so much. I'm lucky to have an 11 year old lovely dog and now,, a 19 month old ditzy youngster. No dog ever replaces the one you lost but Miss ditzy and her companion fill my days with love.
Look after yourself MommaP and don't be surprised how much you weep xx

ladymuck is right, each pet has a special place in our heart. It will get easier though and you will remember the love and pleasure Marley brought to your lives.

You never really get over it. I've had many, many pets over the years. I can remember every single one, and the loss of them. It still brings tears now.

We grieved for a long time after our dog was put to sleep last Christmas. It wasn't until our new dog arrived in September that I felt really happy for the first time again.

Momma We're still struggling after a year. No pet has ever affected us so much before. It's very early days for you and this is always an emotional time of year at the best of times.

Sorry no advice just commiserations as our beautiful girl Mags, yellow lab aged 12, died suddenly in March and this was our first Xmas without her so I know how you are feeling. She was my best friend, followed me everywhere and I still miss her every day.Her ashes are in a small wooden box next to a lovely photo of her where I can glance over every now and again. There was a little rhyme someone wrote on a card for me -
‘when tomorrow starts without me don’t think we’re far apart, for every time you think of me I’m right here inside your heart’
Take care x

Oh MommaP I am so with you right now. Just sent our 18 year old much loved puss cat to sleep. The final decision was almost impossible for me to make. I’m still a blubbering mess on day 4. Even my stoic, normally unemotional husband is visibly upset. I can’t even look at photos. The house feels empty without baskets, litter tray, food dishes etc. She had multiple serious health issues for the last year and it’s been hard work and tying. We couldn’t be away all day due to pill and injection times. Doesn’t make any difference, we’re free of that but desperately sad. Sweetest pet we’ve ever had.

Marley was part of your family and I see no reason why it can't be expected that your grieving could last as long as if he was human!
The only difference I can see is that with a pet, you can choose to have another pet that you can transfer your love to that will help - you can't do that with humans!

It’s the price we pay isn’t it. But on the positive side, you now have a vacancy. When you’re ready.