Healing after the loss of a pet

[Anonymous]

OP, I am so very sorry!

I have two heat-sensitive dogs in this area, too. This could’ve happened to anyone. You did the absolute best you could in finding a good sitter for your dog.

Was he a Bulldog? I have one. Again, I’m so, so sorry. ❤️❤️

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thank you all again for your kindness. We had a pug, but won't get another pug knowing what we know now. (horrible allergies, fold infections, teeth issues, heat sensitivity, etc) Yes, we were aware of these issue before we got him, but I never expected him to die from a heat stroke given how careful we always were with him.

Reading your stories of healing through getting a new pet really spoke to me. My family and I talked this weekend and have decided to look for a new rescue dog in the next few months. I think it will go a long way in helping me work through my grief.

Thank you all again for your empathy.

[Anonymous]

OP, we lost my cat of 22 years last summer and it took me almost 6 months until I stopped crying over it regularly (I'm sure someone will call me a loser for that, but it's true). After a few weeks everyone other than DH was telling me to get over it, but I just needed time. I was so so devastated. I still miss her every day but I promise your life grows around the grief. We adopted a rescue in the spring who is completely different from our old cat and will never replace her, but I've come to love her nonetheless.

The new kitty helped, moving things that belonged to my old cat out of sight for the first little bit helped, getting outside and spending time doing distracting things with friends, and also just being kind to myself and knowing that the grief was so intense because we had shared such a close bond and love.

Sending you love and peace. When you are ready another pet does help you channel the love you have into something positive. You can think about it as honoring the legacy of your late dog by giving another a great life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, we lost my cat of 22 years last summer and it took me almost 6 months until I stopped crying over it regularly (I'm sure someone will call me a loser for that, but it's true). After a few weeks everyone other than DH was telling me to get over it, but I just needed time. I was so so devastated. I still miss her every day but I promise your life grows around the grief. We adopted a rescue in the spring who is completely different from our old cat and will never replace her, but I've come to love her nonetheless.

The new kitty helped, moving things that belonged to my old cat out of sight for the first little bit helped, getting outside and spending time doing distracting things with friends, and also just being kind to myself and knowing that the grief was so intense because we had shared such a close bond and love.

Sending you love and peace. When you are ready another pet does help you channel the love you have into something positive. You can think about it as honoring the legacy of your late dog by giving another a great life.

OP here. I'm so sorry about the loss of your cat. I can't imagine having a pet in my life for 22 years and then losing him/her. I'm glad that you've found some joy and love with your new cat.

We have our pugs ashes in a little box on our mantle, and I'm embarrassed to say that sometimes I hug the box, cry, and tell him how much we miss him. I think giving all of this love to a dog who needs me will be the best next step.

Again, I'm sorry for your loss and wish you the best.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, we lost my cat of 22 years last summer and it took me almost 6 months until I stopped crying over it regularly (I'm sure someone will call me a loser for that, but it's true). After a few weeks everyone other than DH was telling me to get over it, but I just needed time. I was so so devastated. I still miss her every day but I promise your life grows around the grief. We adopted a rescue in the spring who is completely different from our old cat and will never replace her, but I've come to love her nonetheless.

The new kitty helped, moving things that belonged to my old cat out of sight for the first little bit helped, getting outside and spending time doing distracting things with friends, and also just being kind to myself and knowing that the grief was so intense because we had shared such a close bond and love.

Sending you love and peace. When you are ready another pet does help you channel the love you have into something positive. You can think about it as honoring the legacy of your late dog by giving another a great life.

OP here. I'm so sorry about the loss of your cat. I can't imagine having a pet in my life for 22 years and then losing him/her. I'm glad that you've found some joy and love with your new cat.

We have our pugs ashes in a little box on our mantle, and I'm embarrassed to say that sometimes I hug the box, cry, and tell him how much we miss him. I think giving all of this love to a dog who needs me will be the best next step.

Again, I'm sorry for your loss and wish you the best.

❤️❤️OP❤️❤️

He was obviously incredibly loved.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, we lost my cat of 22 years last summer and it took me almost 6 months until I stopped crying over it regularly (I'm sure someone will call me a loser for that, but it's true). After a few weeks everyone other than DH was telling me to get over it, but I just needed time. I was so so devastated. I still miss her every day but I promise your life grows around the grief. We adopted a rescue in the spring who is completely different from our old cat and will never replace her, but I've come to love her nonetheless.

The new kitty helped, moving things that belonged to my old cat out of sight for the first little bit helped, getting outside and spending time doing distracting things with friends, and also just being kind to myself and knowing that the grief was so intense because we had shared such a close bond and love.

Sending you love and peace. When you are ready another pet does help you channel the love you have into something positive. You can think about it as honoring the legacy of your late dog by giving another a great life.

OP here. I'm so sorry about the loss of your cat. I can't imagine having a pet in my life for 22 years and then losing him/her. I'm glad that you've found some joy and love with your new cat.

We have our pugs ashes in a little box on our mantle, and I'm embarrassed to say that sometimes I hug the box, cry, and tell him how much we miss him. I think giving all of this love to a dog who needs me will be the best next step.

Again, I'm sorry for your loss and wish you the best.

PP here - don't be embarrassed. It really is a testament to the love you shared with your pug. Thanks for the kind words and also wishing you the best ❤️

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I am so very sorry!

I have two heat-sensitive dogs in this area, too. This could’ve happened to anyone. You did the absolute best you could in finding a good sitter for your dog.

Was he a Bulldog? I have one. Again, I’m so, so sorry. ❤️❤️

This is so irresponsible. Why do you have a heat sensitive dog in a climate that becomes very hot and humid?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I am so very sorry!

I have two heat-sensitive dogs in this area, too. This could’ve happened to anyone. You did the absolute best you could in finding a good sitter for your dog.

Was he a Bulldog? I have one. Again, I’m so, so sorry. ❤️❤️

This is so irresponsible. Why do you have a heat sensitive dog in a climate that becomes very hot and humid?

Shut up and f’ off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I am so very sorry!

I have two heat-sensitive dogs in this area, too. This could’ve happened to anyone. You did the absolute best you could in finding a good sitter for your dog.

Was he a Bulldog? I have one. Again, I’m so, so sorry. ❤️❤️

This is so irresponsible. Why do you have a heat sensitive dog in a climate that becomes very hot and humid?

Shut up and f’ off.

I feel like this is a valid question. I see people walking these poor miserable looking dogs all summer and wonder why?? So please explain. Is it just because you thought the breed was so cute you had to have it?

[Anonymous]

Oh OP. Big hugs to you. I can imagine your pain especially combind with guilt. Not that you will feel this but it is absolutely not your fault. I'm not sure who would take a dog 45 minutes in the heat even if they were not sensitive to heat. The sitter made a poor judgement call and I am so very very sorry this happened to your sweet dog.


My dog died 7 years ago very suddenly from cancer and it absolutely devastated our family. Years later my mother still cried every once and a while. I was devastated for months. Dogs are a huge part of the family. I miss her!

I have no advice. Grief is the true testiment of love.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I am so very sorry!

I have two heat-sensitive dogs in this area, too. This could’ve happened to anyone. You did the absolute best you could in finding a good sitter for your dog.

Was he a Bulldog? I have one. Again, I’m so, so sorry. ❤️❤️

This is so irresponsible. Why do you have a heat sensitive dog in a climate that becomes very hot and humid?

Shut up and f’ off.

I feel like this is a valid question. I see people walking these poor miserable looking dogs all summer and wonder why?? So please explain. Is it just because you thought the breed was so cute you had to have it?

We adopted a greyhound. That breed isn’t good at regulating their body temperature, but thanks to the racing industry, there are plenty of retired dogs in need of homes. We just get up early in the summer and walk before it gets hot. The rest of the day, the dog stays in air conditioning and only goes out to relieve himself and then comes right back in. On particularly bad days, we might spritz his coat with water for the walk, stick to shaded areas, and cut the walk short. If he doesn’t get a walk at all one day, he’s fine. There are too many greyhounds to limit them to climates that are temperate year round. They can do just fine here as long as they’re walked during the coolest part of summer days and wear coats on cold days.