• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
DogsBestLife.com logo

Dog's Best Life

The information you need to keep your dog happy, healthy, playful and loyal.

  • Top Stories
  • Blog
  • What We Do
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Let yourself grieve your dog’s death

Posted January 18, 2018

dog death griefOur pets have the ability to enrich every aspect of our lives – and no pet is more loyal than a dog. For many of us, our dogs are far more than mere pets; they are loved and cherished members of the family.

Of course, death is a natural fact of life, and while it’s easy to ignore during the golden years of your time together, it’s only natural to feel devastated by the loss of your dog as he reaches the end of his life.

When you do say goodbye, you are closing the last chapter of the book of your time together and facing feelings of grief and sadness.

Death is never easy to accept, but there are steps that you can take to help yourself come to terms with dog death grief.

Understand your feelings

Not only is your dog a valued member of the family – you will likely have spent many years together, cared for them and built up an invaluable store of treasured memories together.

No matter your age or situation, our dogs add structure, purpose and endless amounts of unconditional love to our daily lives. This means that when your pet does die, it’s only natural to experience pain, loss and grief.

The grieving process

Grieving is an extremely personal process and no two people will go through the same experience.

While your grief will likely be influenced by factors such as your age, your family, your dog’s age and the circumstances surrounding their death, it is still possible to experience large variations in feelings.

Some people will experience the stages of grief, whereas others may find that their sadness comes in waves or highs and lows.

It’s also common for sights, sounds and smells to trigger a sudden wave of sadness – just the sight of your dog’s collar and pet tag can be enough to leave you feeling lost.

No matter how your feelings manifest, it is important to remember that your grief is valid and feelings of sadness or loneliness are natural during this time.

Cope with dog death grief 

Knowing that your grief will gradually lessen over time is probably not much comfort when the pain of their loss is still fresh, but there are some healthy ways in which you can work to cope with your feelings.

Losing your dog is an incredibly personal loss: Don’t be ashamed to admit how you feel and try to surround yourself with encouraging, kind-hearted people who will help you through the worst of the pain.

Get advice from others who coped with dog death grief: Sometimes, a friendly face and a chat with someone who has already been through it can work wonders.

Take some time to look after yourself: Look after your mind and body and take plenty of time to let your heart heal.

Remember the good times: Over the years you will have doubtless built up a collection of photographs and plenty of memories of your time together, now is the time to look back on these memories and remember all the fun times you shared.

Losing a pet can be hard for the whole family: If they are old enough, make sure to explain things to your children and allow them the space to grieve in their own way.

Everyone copes with grief in different ways: What works for one person may not be effective for another. For this reason, it is important to do what feels right for you and work to come to terms with your grief in the way that suits you best.

It will be hard – there’s no sugar-coating it – but over time, you will be able to look back fondly on your years together and remember all the good times with a smile.

 

Related Posts

  • mourn dog's death
    Mourning the loss of your dog

    Mourn your dog's death: Battling the grief of your dog's…

  • Woman cuddles with senior beagle. As your dog ages and becomes ill, it becomes important to evaluate your dog's quality of life using a know when to put your dog down checklist.
    Time to euthanize? Use our when to put your dog down checklist

    Use a when to put your dog down checklist to…

  • Dogs may go through the five stages of grief -- denial/isolation, anger, depression, bargaining, and acceptance.
    Help your dog cope with grief

    Dogs grieve like people and may go through the five…

  • Adopting a dog after a breakup: Woman snuggles with dog by her laptop.
    5 reasons to adopt a dog after a breakup

    Adopting a dog after a breakup helps you by adding…

Share this post:

Share on Facebook Share on X (Twitter) Share on Pinterest Share on Email Share on Reddit

Filed Under: Home Page Tagged With: Dog grief

« Previous Post
Next Post »

Primary Sidebar

Follow Us

Categories

  • Adoption
  • Dog Breeds
  • Dog Facts
  • Dog Fun
  • Dog Grooming
  • Dog Health
  • Dog Inspirations
  • Dog Training
  • Dog Travel
  • Holidays
  • Home Page
  • Puppies
  • Top Stories

Featured Posts

  • Tricolor Australian shepherd in front of white background. Take steps to stop dog pawing.

    Canine body language: What’s your dog saying with his paws?

  • Cute corgi puppy wrapped in a blanket. Talk with your vet about starting your dog on medication to protect him from parasites including flea and tick prevention, as well as heartworm prevention.

    Puppy training 101: 10 tips to prepare your dog for success

  • Thinking of getting a furry friend? Use the DogsBestLife.com perfect dog breed quiz to find the perfect canine companion.

    Take our dog breed quiz to discover the perfect breed for you!

Tags

training tipsPit bullPotty trainingWaterPomeranianPet sitterService dogsValentine's DayRescue dogOutdoor activitiesVeterinarianYorkshire terrierTwo dogsVacation dog carePetfinder.comPet parentsSeparation anxietyPuppy kindergartenThanksgivingSmall dogsSocializationOld dogsRottweilerPandemicPoodlePuppy-proofWorking dogsTicksPawShedding

Footer

Quick Links

  • Home
  • Top Stories
  • Blog
  • What We Do
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Recent Posts

  • Weird behavior? 6 reasons why your dog might hide or act strangely
    If your dog exhibits weird behavior, understand six potential reasons and learn what you can do to address the situation effectively. […]
  • Two dogs: Does gender matter when you adopt a second dog?
    Does gender matter when you get a second dog? The experts say yes, gender matters, and recommend getting a second dog of the opposite sex. […]
  • Why is my dog restless and panting at night? 9 warning signs
    Panting at night has many causes, and it's up you to determine why your dog pants excessively and then take action. […]
  • Picture perfect pups: Meet 5 naturally photogenic dog breeds
    Photographers should recognize which dogs are photogenic dog breeds and have a friendly nature. Discover five photogenic dog breeds. […]

Get Our Newsletter

Get more news to help keep your dog healthy delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for DogsBestLife.com's monthly newsletter.

© Copyright 2023 DogsBestLife.com online magazine · All Rights Reserved · Privacy
Our Spring Sale Has Started

You can see how this popup was set up in our step-by-step guide: https://wppopupmaker.com/guides/auto-opening-announcement-popups/

Get Our Free Monthly Newsletter

Get more news to help keep your dog healthy delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for DogsBestLife.com's monthly newsletter.