Overwhelmed with grief

[Anonymous]

Lost my beloved pet, and I am beside myself with grief. Any advice from those who’ve been there/done that? This is so hard.

[Anonymous]

I am so sorry. It is so very hard. My family and I grieved greatly when we had to put our dog down after a very short and sudden illness, but I would say I grieved the most. You have to let yourself cry - I would read about other peoples experiences, look and pictures and videos, read kind words from friends and just cry. Thank goodness this was during covid and I was WFH. With time it got easier. For me, getting another dog helped immensely, though I know this is not for everyone. It was so healing to love another dog, not to mention taking care of a puppy kept me busy. Hugs!

[Anonymous]

I am so sorry OP. I went through this about a year ago and it was one of the hardest things I've been through (it was the first time I lost a pet and I didn't realize how painful it would be). He was truly a part of the family and I miss him every day. I cry every time I think about him. It is starting to get better and I can now look at his old pictures without sobbing but I honestly had no idea it would affect me this much. Hang in there OP.

[Anonymous]

It is terrible and sad. Unless one has lost a pet before, it is impossible to understand the depth of grieving the loss of a beloved pet. Give yourself time, and I am so sorry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is terrible and sad. Unless one has lost a pet before, it is impossible to understand the depth of grieving the loss of a beloved pet. Give yourself time, and I am so sorry.

Totally agree with this. Very sorry for your loss. I wish there was something other than time that helps but there really isn’t.

[Anonymous]

So sorry for your loss. It is incredibly hard. I had to put my dog to sleep over a year ago and I still miss her every day. We adopted a new dog and she is great but my heart still misses by other dog.

Time will help. Grief doesn't go away, you simply learn to accommodate it in your day to day life. It is okay to cry and look at old photos and talk to your pet. They filled a place in your heart that you did not know needed filling.

[Anonymous]

I'm so sorry. The grief of losing a pet is real. When my cat, then nearing 18, had to be put down, it was like all the other grief in my life poured into her death too. She was a little safe space for it, along with just her and how she had been with me most my adult life. It's been a few years since she died and I still miss her every day.

[Anonymous]

Sorry OP

[Anonymous]

Time and more time. Let your self grieve. I lost my boy almost a year ago and it took me several months to get past the pain. I can now write this without crying. I haven't stopped missing him, but it doesn't hurt any more.

I am so sorry for your loss. I am sending you my good thoughts.

[Anonymous]

I am so very sorry. Unfortunately I was there 8 months ago, when I lost my beloved dog. If you are on Facebook there are a few pet loss support groups. It can be difficult reading other peoples stories, but they are very very supportive and get it, when no one else does. Its helped me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am so very sorry. Unfortunately I was there 8 months ago, when I lost my beloved dog. If you are on Facebook there are a few pet loss support groups. It can be difficult reading other peoples stories, but they are very very supportive and get it, when no one else does. Its helped me.

I wrote the above, Doesn't have to be Facebook. There are other online pet loss support groups. Big hug

[Anonymous]

I am so sorry! It’s so incredibly difficult to lose a pet. I’m not sure what kind of pet you had, but I found that visiting places that my dog had loved made me feel peaceful. For example, we used to hike at a particular lake. From time to time, I would go to the lake and just sit and think of her. If you had a cat, perhaps you could feel close to her at a windowsill or another spot of the house that she used to enjoy lounging in. When I felt close to my pet this way, I would close my eyes and try to think of the best memories I had with my pet that were happy and full of joy.

[Anonymous]

I am so sorry, OP.
Grief is the price we pay for love. Be gentle on yourself and don’t suppress your feelings. After my dog died I felt like I was wandering blindly in an ocean of sorrow until I read this passage:
“There is a cycle of life and death that shapes the lives of those who choose to travel in the company of animals. It is a cycle unlike any other. To those who have never lived through it’s turnings or walked it’s rocky path, our willingness to give our hearts with full knowledge that they will be broken seems incomprehensible. Only we know how small a price we pay for what we receive; our grief, no matter how powerful it may be, is an insufficient measure of the joy we have been given.”
Suzanne Clothier, ‘Bones Would Rain from the Sky’

[Anonymous]

OP here. A heartfelt thanks to each and every person who posted. I feel so bereft and cannot bear the thought of never again seeing my beloved pup. Appreciate all words of comfort, advice, encouragement.

[Anonymous]

I wish there was something I could say to lessen your pain right now. It is excruciating. All I can do is promise that one day you will be able to think about your puppy and smile at the memory.

This grief is a manifestation of the love that you gave your friend. As devastatingly sad as you are now is as fiercely loved he or she felt during their life with you. A lucky, lucky dog to have known that kind of love.