![]() ![]() No matter how much change we must endure in our lives, our dogs are always there for us. They forgive us readily and never hold grudges. Our dogs listen without judgment or reproach, and never give advice. “With their constant presence, availability and devotion, pets are our best source of unconditional love, becoming for many of us the ideal child, parent, mate or friend,” says Marty. With dogs, “what you see is what you get.” We can’t misinterpret their words or actions. They don’t even notice our mistakes, weaknesses, and flaws - much less judge, criticize, or condemn us. Our dogs love us no matter how we look, smell, or behave! We make mistakes, say the wrong thing at the wrong time, go in the wrong direction, pass gas, accidentally hurt people we love…and our dogs love us through it all. We touch them, stroke them, pet them, hug them, kiss them, tell them our troubles and share our deepest secrets with them.”Īfter your dog died, your heart takes a long time to heal because everywhere you look, you see your dog. They’re there when we awaken in the morning, rely on us to toilet, feed, water, exercise, groom and play with them, greet us joyfully when we come home to them and may even sleep with us in our beds at night. “Animal companions weave themselves into the fabric of our daily lives,” says Marty Tousley, a certified grief counselor and author of The Final Farewell: Preparing for and Mourning the Loss of Your Pet. “We live and relax in each other’s company. Let yourself feel terrible for awhile – this is one way to honour your dog’s memory and hold your dog close to your heart. Your heart is broken, and it takes time for the wound to heal. Give yourself time to grieve your dog’s death. Our dogs trust and depend on us in a way that way nobody else does. Our pets don’t do anything that isn’t filtered through us first – they often don’t even go outside without our say-so! We’re responsible for our dogs’ daily routines and schedule…and we’re responsible for their lives. Dogs never grow up, leave the nest, get married, pursue a career, or make decisions that impact us negatively or positively. Unlike our relationships with our partners, kids, family members, friends, and colleagues, our pets don’t change. If you’re coping with guilt over your dog’s death, you may find yourself struggling with the repeated thought, “My dog died and I can’t get over it.” Guilt makes the process of healing your heart longer and more complicated because it’s an additional pain to work through. Learning why your dog means so much to you - and why your heart is shattered - will help you heal and let go of the pain. However, there are several other reasons why our beloved pets are so deeply embedded in our lives, hearts, minds, spirits, and souls. Unconditional love is the glue that bonds us to our dogs. Your relationship with your dog was more simple and pure than any other, and you learned the meaning of “unconditional love.” Your dog is part of your familyĪnother reason your dog’s death hurts so much is because pets are our “families of choice.” Your dog was always thrilled to be with you, giving you emotional support and a comforting physical presence. When you learn why you feel like you can’t get over it when your dog died, your heart will start to heal. A chapter of your life has ended, and you’re forced to move forward into a new season of life. The loss of your dog means that a huge part of your life is also over. Your dog isn’t just part of your life, your daily routine, and your heart…your dog is also part of your soul and spirit. ![]() Your dog is part of who are - and that’s why you hurt so much. Over the years, I’ve pruned away the most toxic of those relationships, but through it all, I’ve had the purest love and devotion I could desire from my pets.” “I come from a human family fraught with conflict, addictions, and abuse. ![]() “The animals in my life represent my most intense and valued of relationships,” says Sid Korpi, animal chaplain and author of Good Grief: Finding Peace After Pet Loss: Personal and Professional Insights on the Animal Lover’s Unique Grieving Process. Why It’s Not Easy to Get Over Your Dog’s Death Often when we understand the rational reasons for our grief and pain, we start moving towards healing – almost without being aware of it. In this article, I share the reasons why you’re having such a hard time getting over your dog’s death. Her dog died last year and she knows how hard it is.” I’m single and my best friend said she’d help me say goodbye. “I have to take my dog to the vet and let her go but it hurts too much. “I know it’s time to say goodbye to my dog but I also know that when my last dog died, I couldn’t get over it,” said Marie on How to Know When to Put Your Dog Down. ![]()
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