Sad

[thugulike]

I lost my beloved Neapolitan Mastiff (known to all as Big Dog) in March. He had been ill and I was quite philosophical about it at the time although I missed him dreadfully. It's been 5 months now and I am getting worse. I miss him so much. I don't care if the house is clean, it's also quiet and empty.

[Roughquest]

Hi Thugulike,

I am so very sorry to hear of your sad loss! I also lost my boy last December....I still have his ashes with me in an urn, I cant bear to scatter them yet as I will have to let go. I still miss him to this day and not a day goes by when I dont wish he was with me, he was such a big part of my life, my best friend. There are no time limits or rules for you to adhere to when grieveing over a loved one - person or pet, cry when you need to and dont ever feel bad or guilty for feeling down and missing him - that is perfectly natural. It will take a long time, and even then you will never forget him, you obviously loved him very much.
Thinking of you.
RQ xx

[quizbabe]

So sorry to hear about your beautiful dog. I know how you are feeling.

[Shadow Man]

Can you not get another dog to fill in the void left by the sad loss of Big Dog?

Not a replacemnet dog, but just another beast to make you smile again. A new beginning, a new venture, a new love?

I am sure Big Dog is looking down at you from doggy Heaven and wishing you were more happy. Yes, granted he is probably sh4gging some white French Poodle called Queenie, but nonetheless............................

[thugulike]

I would love another dog and have located some suitable pups but mr thugulike is not happy about leaving a pup which would be only 5 months old in kennels for 2 weeks in December for a holiday we have already booked. He does want another dog and asked for an IOU for 1 puppy for his last birthday. We have just replaced the car we had to transport Big Dog and have another car suitable to carry a large and heavy dog. The main reason for buying this car was to transport a large dog. I didn't feel this bad when my parents died. For goodness sake I need to get a grip!

[eyeshade]

Me too, I also lost my baby in March and time is still not healing, although I think it will. I still come home and expect him to race towards me, you also think about all the different places and things you did with them and get all sad. We lost our 5 year old Shar-pei and nothing will replace him so I dooo really know what you are going through.
Hugs.

[shaneystar2]

I am sorry to hear this and know just how you feel .I had dear old Shaney put to sleep three weeks ago on Friday ..yes I actually count the days ...I am the same as Roughquest and have his ashes in a casket .I even say goodnight to him .And am still weeping over it from time to time .
We won't be getting another woofer because we are not young anymore and I am not as fit as I was and this makes it even worse as we have always had dogs .. They leave a ruddy great hole in your life .I do hope you soon come to terms with it. It all takes time . All the best .

[lindapinda]

Don't be hard on yourself,and say you need to get a grip. Our lovely pets are dependant on us,to look after them,and they give us soo much love in return.They are like children,no matter,that some people say it is wrong to compare them to a child. You have felt that bond,and its only natural that there is an empty space in your life now. I'm glad to hear you'll be getting another dog,you'll love it just as much as Big Dog,but,it will have it's own space in your heart.Good luck with everything :-)

[lindapinda]

I'm sorry to hear that Shaneystar. It's all a bit raw for you at the minute,I'm sure. Take care xx

[jules77]

ah bless, I lost my old boy 18 months ago, I still have my girls, but he was my first boy dog, and my shadow. I still have his ashes in the dining room on the window sill, and that is where they are staying, and I still cry from time to time. I have just had a new boy puppy that is just 17 weeks old now, and he is filling the void as he is so much fun, but he will never take his place. They are all special in their own way, and give us so much unconditional love. Lots of breeders would be only too happy to have a dog back while you are on holiday, why dont you ask?

[quizbabe]

Instead of getting a young puppy have you ever thought of giving a home to a stray. My new dog is from a rescue centre and he is lovely. He is 2 years old and a Rottweiler/lurcher cross but he looks like a Doberman. He gets on so well with my cat. He was house trained, microchipped, full vet history and such a beautiful nature. Tonight we had a heavy rain storm and when he went out into the garden he brought me a young dove that is absolutely wet through. He lay it at my feet and cried licking the poor thing (making it even more wet) but never harmed it at all. He is just a big softee. I have that in a box in the conservatory drying out. My previous dog was also from a rescue centre.

[quizbabe]

Forgot to say sorry to hear your sad news shaneystar 2. Thinking about your all. It does get better in time but you never forget them.

[GypsyGSD]

I lost my 6 year old gsd on xmas eve and Im still not over it I think about him most days and still shed a tear when I look at his photos , but I decided to get another which I brought home 2 days ago and all ready it has helped I wont forget mick but i no I had to move on and by having nico this will help me through the down days GypsyX

[Kleiber]

Bless you all -I've been there too. I've still got my Sherman's ashes (GSD) on the windowsill, next to a photo
of my dear departed hubby (he was his dog). Sherman pined so much when my hubby died 2 yrs ago, and he wouldn't eat - he just lay on the rug. He was with my darling when he died and I think he just gave up after that. I was going to scatter his ashes on my husband's grave, but can't bring myself to, yet. I've got Sherman's sister, who's my angel, and Jake, my daft border collie, but the house isn't the same without the old fella.

[YvonneM]

IF IT SHOULD BE

If it should be that I grow weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then you must do what must be done,
For this last battle cannot be won.

You will be sad, I understand.
Don't let your grief then stay your hand.
For this day, more than all the rest,
Your love for me must stand the test.

We've had so many happy years.
What is to come can hold no fears.
You'd not want me to suffer so;
The time has come -- please let me go.

Take me where my needs they'll tend,
And please stay with me �til the end.
Hold me firm and speak to me,
Until my eyes no longer see.

I know in time that you will see
The kindness that you did for me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I've been saved.

Please do not grieve -- it must be you
Who had this painful thing to do.
We've been so close, we two, these years;
Don't let your heart hold back its tears.

[thugulike]

Thanks to all of you for your kindness and understanding. Quizbabe I have only ever had one puppy before, all the other dogs have been rescued. Big Dog was taken off a drug dealer who went to prison and he came to the RSPCA weighing 30 kilos. I got him when he was 50 kilos and he rose slowly to 100 kilos before moderating at 93 kilos. He was such a gentleman but not without a sense of humour. When I think of the start he had in life it was amazing he was such a lovely dog. In contrast, my mastiff bitch had 'special needs' as she was profoundly deaf. I managed to cure her of most of her bad habits but she sometimes had 'red mist' and could never be trusted. She bit 4 people, granted they did things I clearly told them not to do but even still, she was a nightmare although very loving to me.

The good news is that I told mr thugulike how I felt last night and he said we should ask the breeder for photos of the pups. A good start. I couldn't take the pup back to the breeder for a holiday as this breeder is 300 miles away and anyway we have wonderful local kennels. But mr thugulike always worries while we're away.

All my dogs are in the garden so I can go out and talk to them at any time. We live in the country and when their graves have been dug large, and I mean very large, boulders are excavated. These are the dogs 'memorial stones'.

YvonneM. Well done, I've sat here and wept buckets this morning. Not that there's anything wrong with that. The verse was lovely, it reminded me of the anonymous verse I once heard at a funeral (human) called 'miss me but let me go'.

I'll keep you informed of any progress and thank you all again for your support. I think I've been holding myself together with steely reserve and now, after all this time, it's crumbled

[GypsyGSD]

I am so pleased that you may be having a new puppy soon ,and Im sure it will help with your loss ans Nico is helping me with mine Please let me no how it all goes ,love Gypsyx

[divegirl]

Hi, to begin with I have to say how sorry I am to hear of your loss [and you Shaney] and for that I send you hugs. I lost my 'big dog' Floyd [Great Dane] in March and I know the pain you feel......am crying as I write this. As someone else has said, time does heal....eventually, but it takes as long as you need. I now have Lola, my beautiful baby girl Dane, who has already bought me tears as she too is 'special needs', costing me sh*t loads of money, but, making me smile. I really hope you do find a new baby to be owned by and as some one else said, this dog will not be a replacement....just a new adventure. Try to find some forums adjoined to your breed....loads of help there for you...and maybe even a puppy sitter [I too don't like kennels]. I hope you find your new baby soon....they make time go faster.....

Much love

Lisa and Lola xxx

[horselady]

I've just read the post from eileenb who had her pussy cat put to sleep and now I'v read this, and especially the poem, I'm a complete wreck! Love to everyone in this horrible situation. Going shopping now, with very blotchy face!

xxx