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
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 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,
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
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.
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 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.
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.