Hi OP, I'm right here with you and your sorrow. We adopted a very old shih tzu nearly 2 years ago and he got very sick last week and we had him put to sleep on Friday when it was clear he wouldn't recover.

While we knew he probably wouldn't live for years and years when we adopted him, he had a very distinct personality and lived was quite spry for his age. He always sat next to me in my family room while I worked from home and today I'm working upstairs because I can't bear that he isn't there curled up in his little bed.

Please know you're not alone and we'll get through this grief and sadness, even though it's terribly hard.

Sending hugs and prayers for peace.

Checking in on you OP. I know it's still early, but you will get to the point where thinking about your dog cause you to smile and laugh and not always cry. It is a gradual process.

Please hang in there. I was so numb and depressed and it felt like things would never get better but here I am, remembering her in her prime, still loving her and still moving forward.

Anonymous wrote:OP here again. Thank you for the compassionate replies. I’m sorry for all of you who have had to go through the pain of losing a beloved animal. Some animals are more than just animals, they are part of our heart/soul. And my dog was certainly that, which intensifies the grief tremendously. He was my best friend. Does anyone know of any pet loss/grief support groups that meet in person in the DC area? I think that could be helpful.

There are FB groups. Although it sounds cheesy(?), they can be helpful.

https://www.facebook.com/petlossgriefcounselor?mibextid=ZbWKwL

OP here again. Thank you for the compassionate replies. I’m sorry for all of you who have had to go through the pain of losing a beloved animal. Some animals are more than just animals, they are part of our heart/soul. And my dog was certainly that, which intensifies the grief tremendously. He was my best friend. Does anyone know of any pet loss/grief support groups that meet in person in the DC area? I think that could be helpful.

I’m so sorry OP.

I’m so sorry, OP. I have tears in my eyes after reading this thread because it makes me think of my girl who I lost 2 years ago. I do remember feeling some relief when someone told me that I had taken on this deep grief and pain so that she didn’t have to suffer following her illness. There really is only time to ease the hurt, and talking with others who also loved your pet and can share memories of the fun and funny times. We still talk about our girl regularly and remember all the cute things she did. She really is a part of our family history now.

Sending you a big virtual hug. I hope you can get some rest tonight.

OP here. I would give just about anything in the world to have my sweet boy back. The thought I will never see him again is excruciating. Don’t know how to come to terms with a loss this big that’s for forever.

I'm so sorry for you.

All of the things I read on DCUM, and this thread has made me cry, too.

Anonymous wrote:I just lost my boy about 3 weeks ago. I have never felt so depressed in my life. He was such a big part of my life. I cry every day, too. I just miss him so much, knowing that I will never see that adorable fuzzy face and floppy ears and smell that great doggy smell...I'm crying again.

I’m so sorry!!

I just lost my boy about 3 weeks ago. I have never felt so depressed in my life. He was such a big part of my life. I cry every day, too. I just miss him so much, knowing that I will never see that adorable fuzzy face and floppy ears and smell that great doggy smell...I'm crying again.

Yes, it's January, and we put our elderly dog down in an emergency situation in July. I cry every day. Every day. We've had 7 dogs. I die every time they do. It's hard because no one understands, no one understands the grief.

I did get a rescue mutt in October. No, not a replacement, they
aren’t, of course- and our first week didn't go well, mainly because of my depression and grief. But, I feel strongly that if my dog is gone, what's the point of another dog not having home? We are doing very well now, but, yes, I still miss my guy. It's time, and you have to do the grief work.

Hugs to you, OP. It really really hurts. You loved your dog and it was all worth it. It's the price of love.

I am so sorry, no words of wisdom beyond what others have shared. Take time to grieve.

Hi OP, I'm so very sorry for your loss. I understand all too well how you feel and there is nothing that can really ease that raw grief besides time. I lost my beautiful, funny, silly, amazing rescue lab 4 months ago and I still tear up nearly every day thinking of him. He was sick and taken too soon and it broke my heart into 10,000 pieces. Nothing hurts quite like losing a beloved pet. I hope you can find comfort knowing there are so many of us walking beside you at this unbearably difficult time.