Sleeping dog on her dog bed
How To Survive The Loss Of A Pet?
Over the years I had 3 dogs and I had to say goodbye to each one. The first one, her name was Kerri she died when she was 16 years old. Then the next two were Molly and Kasey. They were all golden retrievers.
One of the things that helped me to move forward in life after a loss of a pet was talking about them to my friends. Just remembering the silly moments that dogs and other pets do to make us laugh.
What To Do When Your Dog Dies And You’re Sad?
If you feel sad and lost without your pet here are some steps to take to heal your broken heart.
- Mourn the loss of your pet
- Make sure you write down the good memories of your pet
- Seek comfort from friends and family
- Keep pictures around the house to help you always remember them
- If you have a favorite song that you and your pet like listening to turn it up
- Have a funeral for your pet in your backyard
- Watch pet videos on YouTube
- After a while has past maybe a few months later get another pet
- Feel happy knowing that your pet had a good life
- Ask your neighbor or a friend if you can watch their dog for a weekend or during the week
- Volunteer at an animal shelter
Two golden retriever dogs who are half-sisters
What Are The Signs That Your Dog Is Passing Away?
I am not a veterinarian but I have seen signs when dogs are ready to go. Here are some of the signs that I have seen and heard of.
- Loss of appetite
- Loss of interest
- Non-stop heavy breathing
- They start walking crooked because they can?t see anymore
- They also might fall over more because they can?t walk anymore
- Might have a cancerous lump or another type of cancer
- They might start losing their hearing which might make them feel lonely
You may also like to check out the 8 signs that a dog is dying.
How To Tell If Your Dog Is Suffering?
My mom was worried that my dog Molly wouldn?t tell us if she was suffering. I told her to remember how Kasey just wouldn?t get up anymore and she no longer wanted to eat? I told her I believe that Molly will do something similar.
Molly was on hip medication because her back hips had arthritis in them and she couldn?t use them much anymore. She just dragged herself around. Molly gave us that look that she knew her time has come. That day when we had to say goodbye there were about 6 to 8 robbins in the backyard. I said to my mom perhaps they were angels from heaven to collect Molly spirit.
You may also want to read how do I know if my dog is in pain?
Do Dogs Know That They Are Dying?
Perhaps they might sense something is off with themselves but I am no dog expert. But when Molly couldn?t see anymore I think she was scared because she couldn?t get comfortable until my mom held her in her arms.
Will We See Our Pets In Heaven?
I am not going to preach to you about religion or tell you about my religious beliefs. But I believe I will see my 3 dogs in heaven. Perhaps they will be waiting to see me and my parents with their tails wagging high in the air ready to play fetch.
Maybe Molly and Kasey can teach Kerri how to play fetch and tug of war. Molly is in a better place and she no longer has to suffer.
a man and his dog
The Send-Off
Last year I had to say goodbye to my dog Kasey and I wrote about what my dog taught me about life. It was a very emotional post for me to write just like this one. Here is my goodbye message for Molly who was the alpha dog.
Molly, you have been a great dog for all 14 years that you have been alive. I will miss playing fetch with you. I will also miss coming home and seeing your smiling face even when I am in a grumpy mood.
Another thing that I will miss about is the time when you climbed up the chair and onto the kitchen table. Additionally, I will miss seeing you at the dinner table when dad forgot to push in his chair. You just climbed onto the chair and faced all of us at the table like you were human.
I don?t know who I will able to vent to when I am in a grumpy mood. You always listen and you never barked. I will miss snuggling with you were able to jump on the couch with me. Plus I don?t know what I am going to do with all those crumbs that I dropped on the floor.
The last day that you were on this planet I was grumpy towards you and I am sorry. I was not really grumpy with you, but I was grumpy about my final project and my group members that didn?t communicate very well.
I will always love you and I miss you so much and one day we?ll be united once again. I hope you are up in heaven with your sister Kasey and with Kerri having fun. You will never be forgotten. Rest in peace Molly Clare 11/21/19.
Conclusion:
I have been missing my dog Molly so much. Our house feels empty without her. I miss my dog who died 2 weeks ago who will never be forgotten. She taught me how to continue fighting through difficult times. If she can be a fighter so can I.