How long does the heartache last?

It usually lasts about 3 weeks to 1 month. I lost my dog a little less than a yaer ago and every so often when I think about him I still fill the pain and sadness over his loss.

Please accept my sympathy on the loss of your beloved firend. I lost my beautiful Goldador Mason one and a half years ago. He died of unknown causes and very unexpectantly. He was only 3 1/2 and seemed healthy. The not knowing why is still hard. I am still grieving but the really intense part (not eating, not sleeping, not thinking of anything else etc.) lasted about 3 or 4 weeks. This sounds wierd to anyone who isnt a dog lover, but the grief is worse than losing a human loved one in some respects. Not that I love my dog more, but I loved him differently. I think part of it is that it isnt acceptable to express grief over a pet in our society. I still think of him every day and I am sure I will miss him as long as I live, but it does get easier with time. Do you have other pets or would you consider getting a new dog? In my experience it does help. Your dog can never be replaced but in time you get to know and love your new dog for who they are. Hang in there!

After we lost our Aussie after 14 and 1/2 years we swore we would never get another dog because it is so hard to say good-bye. A little more than a month later we got a border collie and he is now 12 years old. It hepled to get another dog but unfortunately we are close to being in the same situation :(. I feel blessed by the time I have experienced with both dogs. They bring so much joy into my life.

I have a cat with Feline Leukemia. She apparantley got it from her mother, so had it when we adopted her from Dumb Friends League last year (though she didn’t test postive for it for a whole year!) We knew something was terribly wrong though. Knowing that each day may be my last with her makes me very sad…but the medicine she is on now is really helping. She’s such an innocent, sweet, little girl, it just seems so unfair. I know I’ll be devastated when she dies but don’t see any way to start preparing now…

After swearing to never go through the heartache again, the best advice I can muster is to go out when you feel ready and get another puppy. They possess the miracle of unconditional love and that will overcome grief every time. The loss of your beloved pet is never easy. The joy of a new family member toodling around the yard and house overcomes the pangs of loss.

I’ve had many dogs in my life and all were different and unique in their own way. I remember them all and think of them often. Life moves forward and we must too, therefore, I’ve resigned myself to deal with loss when it comes and to forge ahead with another friend because I know my previous pooch would want me to have that special friendship and not be sad and lonely.

Peace to all…

Kimmer

it has been 4years since we lost our ben to diabetes and 16 years since our king have died respectfully. they both have thier own urns with a plaque on it with names and birth dates. we have a collage of pictures. and we also have statues of the breed on the urns which look like ben and king. don’t rush it . when you are ready to share your love with another dog who needs you more than you them then you know your ready. there is no time limit on grief. believe me time does lessen the pain but not the memories. my condolences and prayers are with you.

Even though I have never owned a dog before, (only imaginary-sigh…) I can understand the feeling of pain, as if a pin has pierced through your heart. Your breath stops for a breif instant and you begin to weep uncontrolably.
Although, I have had a teddy bear hamster before, named Brownie. He was put down on March 31 2007, (due to problems in his rump area) and I felt greif for about a month. I swore I would never get a hamster again, but on June 18th 2007, I saw a beautiful family of dwarf hamsters and it was too iresitable. So I ended up buying two gorgeous, female hamsters on that day. (they were sisters) I named them Sereniti and Rukia.
I know you wouldn’t believe this, but Sereniti died after only 15 minutes of buying her!
This is how it happened: Since the two sisters were in a small box together and they were fighting over a corner, I tried to get them in a larger box. I was too scared to pick them up from the box, so I opened it. I tried to herd them into the larger box, and then it happened- Sereniti ran away from the ’’herd’’, and before I had enough time to react, she was under the couch! By the time I was able to lift the couch- it was too late… she was…dead!
Although it didn’t work out with Sereniti, my once vicous Rukia has soften up to me and, is a great friend. I have a great bond with her. She is now a year old and she is healthy and well cared for. I LOVE RUKIA WITH THE BOTTOMOF MY HEART! I hope that you will feel better soon, and have a spectaculiar life. BEST WISHES!!!!