Mourning the loss of my dog……

We lost our wonderful GSD in 2018. I still miss him so much. He was everything you could wish for in a loving family dog.

Silverlady, please don't feel guilty over your feelings for your beloved Delilah. It's a measure of the love you had for her - and the love she gave you in return. We lost our old boy in June 2020 - he was the most laid back Labrador I've ever known, and even though we now have a new Lab, who is totally different in nature and much loved, I still miss him more than words can say.

I’ve had several dogs, loved them all dearly and missed them all badly but now and then there’s one that understands us so well he/she can almost seem like a soulmate. I fully understand your grief even after all this time.

I miss all my pets that have died too, it can't be unusual? dogs and cats especially are such a big part of your life

I constantly feel guilt about mistakes I’ve made over the years with my pets, and for some reason they pray on my mind more and more. I suppose that, with internet access I’m far more knowledgeable now than I was then so I’m more aware of the mistakes I made. I took my first whippet to a sighthound specialist for a second opinion and had her pts there instead of bringing her home. I’d give anything to turn the clock back and do it differently. Not so much with my dogs but I had one special cat who I could never replace. I don’t think anyone ever had such a wonderful cat in their lives. I bought all sort of pedigree cats after I lost him because he had a Burmese like temperament but none of them came close to him.

I don’t think it matters how long since your pet has died you still feel their loss. Animals bring so much happiness and joy to our lives. I understand how you feel silverlady.

I am very sorry that you lost your beloved dog. Delilah was obviously incredibly special. X

Don’t beat yourself up about Delilah passing away at the vets.
Yes she wondered what was happening, but it was only for a second or two, then deep deep sleep. You did a kindness for your beloved dog.

My old pointer passed in his basket during lockdown, he had cancer, had all the drugs he needed to keep him pain free. Phone calls and videos to the vet - we worked together to give him a reasonable end of life. He passed with me at his side, BUT maybe I should have let the vet take him for the injection? I could not bear for him to be alone at that time, but did I do it for myself? Perhaps he suffered by me keeping him at home? I’ve had many dogs and still have two beloved pointers, but he was so special, the naughtiest the cleverest, one who understood what I was trying to do and we had a superb relationship, I could do anything with him, gundog work, doggy dancing, obedience, agility. Dog of a lifetime.

We do what we do, we have to make the decisions and face the consequences. It isn’t always easy.

I took my beloved parson Russell terrier to the vet between Christmas and the New Year 2017 as I couldn't bear to see her suffer any more. She was such a trusting little dog and was never worried or afraid of the vet. She died peacefully with her head cradled in my arms.
I still miss her terribly.
I haven't thought I'd having another dog, nothing else could take her place.

The passing of a beloved pet is heart braking and you loved Delilah deeply.
Yes I have felt like you, but now I find my sadness varies from happy memories to great sadness.
Try to remember your feelings about Delilah are yours, there is no right or wrong about them.

Life is so empty and sad without them isn't it. I lost my dog 2 weeks ago and feel heartbreak every day. Such a lovely, loyal companion. Life became very difficult for her and she struggled. It seems so strange to be without her.

I long to be able to think about the happy times but it's so recent.

My Schnauzer died at the vets of her own accord, in her sleep back in 2003. I can still weep for her now.
Our family rescued dog was PTS just after Christmas 2021. She was a darling much loved family member and it’s still very raw that she’s gone. She will always be missed.
It’s OK to grieve; it’s the price we pay for love.

We lost our 2 beautiful cats in 2013. Both had to be pts for different reasons, both brothers. So loved & missed even now. So no, it is quite normal to still feel sad after many years

I have cried more tears for my beloved dogs that have left over the years than for any human being.

Our Jack Russell had dementia and was suffering we took him to the vets year before last and he went peacefully. I absolutely adored him and was broken hearted I have mourned all our dogs when they have gone and why not they just want love and give it back. Only recently a small cat has been visiting our garden and getting treats from me. I know I will be sad if he stops visiting me I look out for him every day.

It's over 16 years since we lost our Collie. There are still days when I would give anything to feel that cold nose pushed into my hand.

Thankyou all of you. You understand! ?????

I lost my beautiful boy in December and it absolutely broke me...
He was the most affectionate, funny, gentle soul who loved everyone and everything. For ten years, he was by my side.

I have two other dogs that I adore and like you, don't have a bad life but I miss Eddie every single minute.

I had my whippet pts six years ago, due to increasing arthritic pain in her hips. She was on maximum pain relief and still uncomfortable.
I still cry about her loss.
Soon after she died, I decided that I would not have another dog. I have had many, over the last sixty years.
I still have my horse and my cat, whose company and affection I greatly enjoy.

We had a lovely King Charles Cavalier who had had a hard life when we bought her from a family who’d just used her to breed. She had dreadful teeth, fleas and was underweight as the other dogs ate her food. Anyway she had a lovely six years with us but eventually developed weakness in her back legs, then front legs. We took her about in a pram and she was much loved. We ended up having to hold her up to do her business, no dignity, she hated it. We took the decision finally to have her PTS. The vet injected her in the back of our car and I carried her round the garden until she died. Unfortunately as her muscles let go, she weed all down me! She had the last laugh anyway!

They are, to me, like children.
You might have more children that you love dearly but none could ever replace one who has gone before. Like children, they are all different and so very special in their own way. I too have cried more tears over pets than people.

We have just lost our spaniel, a rescue dog we had for 14 years.. Life is so humdrum without him, we had got into the habit of things revolving round him, he was funny, beautiful and spoilt rotten. He would go anywhere with us - hotels, ferries, buses, dinghies, boats although he didn't have good sealegs, being left behind wasn't an option for him. I would just look at him & feel so lucky to have found him. I expect we will get another and I expect they will bring us joy, but he is the one that we will never really get over.So I share your pain.

Sometimes an animal or person is so special they cannot be followed, but you can love others in a gentler way. I have always had cats, all little characters but one was in my heart, I can never get that again, like my late husband who was my sole mate, gone too soon.

So sad for everyone who has lost a beloved pet. My elderly poorly dog was put to sleep on Saturday. It was very peaceful but so very sad. He’s at peace now. My other dog is just lost without him. That’s even more sad to see.