I put my pal, my fishing buddy,my winter warmer and rat catcher to sleep last night and don't know how I am going to cope with next weeks (probably Monday Tuesday night) without her. Apart from get another dog what can I do ? Some of you must have been here.

In reply to Post #1
God only knows. I dread that day as mines nearly 15. I guess it will do you good to go for a few days and get upset, cry and emotional.... let it out and remember the good times its given you and you given the dog. I hope i can take the same advice when im in the same position. All the best hope it goes ok bud.

In reply to Post #1
Touching times and my heart goes out to you mate. Losing your best pal is very emotional. For me dogs are magical pets, their love for you is unconditional, always there for you, and never give you any ***** like family's can do

You will spend some time grieving, and it's good to do so, it's natural and you will slowly move on. We lost our little man to cancer, he was 8, proper character and a member of our family, I was devastated, we all were, I never wanted another dog but we got one in the end. We now have another member of the family, different dog and character to the old one but he has grown on us and he is my new best pal. Probably not what you want to hear right now but things do change. I think if you have had a pet, loved them and gave them a good life you should be proud, that's all you can do.

There was a thread in the non carp stuff a while ago and people shared their experiences if it helps?

Wish you all the best

In reply to Post #3
Nicely put.

In reply to Post #1
One of the hardest times you will go through.For me its as hard as a family member passing away as that it exactly what it is. I lost my two mini schnauzers within 10 months of each other (last year) . They helped me when i had ****ty times in my life and when i met my current partner she had 2 dogs both male as mine were they all got on so well and lived together for 7 years. We lost her springer aged 16 in november another body blow. Getting another dog wont replace but it does really help it will be totally different and will take away some of the pain.

My thoughts are with you..

I found there is no way to cope ,I had a GS on my 16 th birthday a long time ago ..we went all over together,he had no lead or collar, wherever I went ,he went ..a very good dog . When he got murdured I vowed never to get another ,such was the loss..

Now ,I have a lemon /roan cocker...the best buddy also who is 11 ..Dogs are sent from god ,they are man's best friend for a reason..and are unconditional in their love .

Remember the good times and fun you had with your little buddy..

In reply to Post #1
So sorry for you mate, such a very sad time in your life.
We had 2 originally, Bracken & Bria, lost Bia at 8, got another Dixie quite quickly, then lost Bracken our 1st at 14 and got Hector, and last year Hector lost Dixie at 12.
Our decision to get another was more for the remaining dog pining though so far we haven't got H another friend, mainly due to my insecurity about being around for them, sad but true.

TBH I still haven't come to terms with losing Dixie, she was by my side going through chemo and spent near 8 months on a bed with me (H is very independent). I still expect her to be there, squeeking at me, standing on my foot to be picked up, attacking cardboard boxes. The really sad thing for me was I couldn't say good bye to her at the end as I couldn't go out, that'll stay with me forever.

People say to grieve before getting another one and part of me knows that's true. I found it very hard to bond with Dixie at first as we got her so soon after losing Bria...but, you have to move on and you will never forget them. My wife still breaks into tears thinking about our past dogs when something reminds us of them, I do to, nothing to be embarressed about, more a sign of the huge impact they had on your life.

I wouldn't hesitate getting another if I was you and you want the commitment again, though no doubt there will be tears at times.

In reply to Post #7
Be proud about yourself and the amazing life you had together, they simply are mans best friend, get another but not for a few weeks.

In reply to Post #1
Sorry for your loss. Its horrible it really is an hurts like mad to turn back time
Would give the world to have them still with us ... in the last 10 years me and my wife have lost 4 dogs an three cats to old age an ill health. One of them was only 6 cancer in animals is horrible. We look back
On them with happiness and comfort and love that we gave them a home a bed
Our bed most of the time... we have 2 dogs and one cat one of the dogs is now 12
Years old .. an on more drugs than the rolling stones.. to keep her healthy
All except one dog have been rescued from being left without a home
My wife would have loads if we had the space time an money.
You give them love a home and time it's all that matters look back an smile
Feel happy you gave them the best of everything. Yes me miss them
That's just the reality of life ... can you give that time an effort again if yes then go
Out an get a rescue dog cat fish ..what ever makes something happy an brings joy
To your life..we always remember the ones we have lost but we love the one's we have

In reply to Post #9
Similar to me, if you have loved them and gave them a good life that's all you can do so be proud and when you think of them it's always with a smile on your face. Ultimately they enrich your life

This thread made me put down my phone and go spend some time on the floor with my dog.

In reply to Post #11

In reply to Post #11

In reply to Post #11
Same as.
My Jack Russell is 15 in August, over the years we've had the most enjoyable, memorable and successful adventures, also including 10 night blanks, twice, i.e all seasons, weathers, emotions and circumstances and we've never had a bad session.
I sympathise massively OP.

Truly does break one's heart and I'm sorry for your loss.

When the hurt begins to subside a little I believe as that is when we are taking comfort from the fact that we provided such a loving and caring home thus allowing them to thrive and become who they are.

Dogs truly are amazing and we are the lucky ones to have been able to spend time in their company regardless of all the pain that goes with it when they so sadly pass away.

Much better to feel the pain than never get to know just how blessed we were to have spent time in their company.

Dogs are simply amazing and RIP to your buddy.

Xx.

Edit. Yes, definitely get another as soon as you feel able.

Thank you so much guys for your kind words. The whole family including nine grandkids are in bits. Sunday is going to be a challenge that's for sure. Thanks again fellas it's a great help.

In reply to Post #1
We lost ours last October, in January she decided we need a new one
It eases the pain , although it'll never go away

In reply to Post #1
You know, I couldn't even think of where to begin after losing a dog. Losing a dog is the same as losing a member of your family.

You will never replace your canine friend and the memories you will treasure forever.

Try and remember the great times together and carry on as best you can.

You won't probably even think of this, you might not want to do it but jic, think about writing down a list of their specific traits, things they did that made them....them. It's a bit sad but you'll be surprised how quickly some things fade, then you read it and think, oh yeah, I'd forgotten that, followed probably by a tear, then a smile 🙂

Lost my girl a few years ago now to cancer. She was a rescue staffie from Battersea and the most loving and friendly dog. She was my world and i was devastated for a long time. She absolutely loved come fishing with me. She would be in the car howling until we got to the lake. I couldnt go fishing for a while as it wasnt the same without her. Time is a great healer as they say and it does get easier.

Thank you again guys. I have just finished two nights and there was a massive hole in my bivvy. She was with me in spirit and I think it helped.

I am so afraid that I have two dogs, my Rufus had lumps, bumps and diabetes- at about 10, so we got him a playmate who gave him another 3 years of life, when we feared the time was coming we then got a third, so whilst it was one of the saddest days of my life standing in the vets, w had to cover up the loss for the sake of the others. I would 100% recommend you get another, the grief a dog passing gives, means that you may never be truly ready as they just break you with love. There isn't a dog I know that wouldn't want a loving owner to go again and bring the joy they had. Unlike Mrs 55s who would want me to wallow in misery for the end of my days ;0)

It is us who are the lucky ones (however much the pain hurts thereafter) to be graced with their presence as they truly are remarkable.

I agree with the others, give it a little.time and get another. After loosing my collie who came to work every day with me and fishing with me it felt like I'd lost a limb. After a little time I decided I wanted another and decided on another collie and it was the best decision I made. The new one obviously has his own character and is a completely different dog but he reminds me of the last one every day which I like.

In reply to Post #1
I went to write in response the other day and could not send it so I deleted it. Truth is I've not been on here much for a number of years. I've been going through prostate cancer, bladder cancers and now lung and kidney cancers and my Staffy has been my companion, carer and became my driving force to stop moping about and get out fishing again as part of my rehabilitation. Staffs are boisterous but every time I came out of hospital she was as gentle as could be and tentatively snuggled up. (I had 7 separate operations, 3 separate courses of Chemo therapy, 8 weeks of radiation therapy, course of Hormone therapy etc, etc. and she was as gentle as could be every time I go home. She's had serious arthritis for well over a year now and for the past couple of months she's hardly able to walk 50 – 100 yards and the last time we went fishing she could hardly walk so I had to barrow her. Anyway, she was at the vets the week before last and the vet said that it “that” time to start thinking of letting her go. Staffy's don't really show pain but she is on so much medication and ha cataracts but still eats well so its very hard making that final decision but Ive come to accept that it wont be long now and I will be not only losing my fishing buddy but my winter hot water bottle as well. Even writing this is hard,

In reply to Post #26
Similar to ours but I couldn't let him suffer any longer. I had him in my arms at the vets whilst he injected him, then he went limp, it is truly heartbreaking, but it is far better then letting them suffer in pain for me. I think when you know them and look at them you know where you are

In reply to Post #26
So sorry to hear everything that you're going through.

So sorry too that the time to say goodbye is truly heartbreaking and the final piece of love that we can show is to be with them when that tine arises.

It is truly heartbreaking and I've realised that it is us who are the lucky ones to have being graced with such presence as they truly are amazing. Also they never forget that through the love we gave enabled them to become who they are.

All the best to you and your buddy.

Xx.

In reply to Post #26
I am truly sorry to hear of your illnesses bud and that your girl is getting near her time. But staffs are amazing creatures when it comes to care. My girl was amazing when my mum was ill and wouldn't leave mums bed when she later came to stay for her last two weeks of life. Enjoy your time with your girl.

I read most posts on the first page and stopped because it is a tough read.

Lots of really encouraging posts shared.

My take is a little blunt and maybe this would only help myself so take it with a pinch of salt.

I have lost 3 dogs which i had very strong bonds with. 2 were my familys and 1 was my inlaws.

No dog is ever going to replace them, its not possible, the more time you spend with them, you can see how unique each of them are personality wise.

The question you asked: How do you cope?
- take stock of who and what you have in your life, appreciate them, times like this are a sobering reminder that nothing lasts forever. Focus on these people
- Routine: don't change your routine or avoid things (like your fishing) that will remind you of your pal. It will inevitably suck at first but I can assure you that you will stop feeling "the despair" (sorry im lacking a better term) as the part of your brain which manages your "Orientation Reflexes" adjust to the new scenario. The feeling of despair usually comes from the fact the future you had in mind for yourself and your friend has not panned out how you envisioned it so the feeling of angst is your brain adjusting to the new future you didn't expect to find yourself in.
- Exercise: I used to be very fit in my late teens (MMA) then i got lazy and for the last 14 years i have been overweight, generally not happy with my appearance. These past 6 weeks i have taken up proper kettlebell work outs and what it has done for my mental health is just incredible. so if you're not exercising, that could help massively in your general "Mental wellness" - lots of science on this on how your muscles release chemicals which is like an anti-depressant
- Lastly, like I said, you wont be able to truly replace your pal, however, adding a new member to the family will bring different joys, laughs, frustrations and it will be a new relationship. Dont rush to get another dog to try and bury the pre-mentioned feelings, doesn't normally go how you plan.

Remember, things will continue to suck less and less over time and if you wish, you can have a new companion with you on the bank who could potentially become the KING of rat catching.