Dogs

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A community about dogs.

Breeds, tips and tricks about training and behaviour, news affecting dog owners, canine photography, dog-related art and any questions related to dog ownership.

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On Monday, I lost my dog (lemmynsfw.com)

submitted 3 days ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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I don't really know what to do about it. He'd been acting weird, but he was always a weird dog, I just thought he was being a slightly odder version of himself. Turns out he was dying. I sat next to his body for hours thinking he was just asleep - I even commented to my wife in a video call about how still he was being. I should have realized, but I didn't know he was gone until I reached down to pet him. I don't even know what happened and we're having him cremated so I never will.

Fortunately my wife and kid are out of town so my kid didn't have to see his body and my in-laws helped with all the physical stuff so I didn't have to struggle with that. It feels wrong to have all of these emotions days later but there they are. I keep expecting to see him every time I turn a corner and, while sitting in my recliner, I keep starting to reach over to scratch his head or pet him.

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[–] [email protected] 8 points 3 days ago (1 children)

The pain we feel from the death of a pet is the blood price we pay for the joy they bring in life.

It is always too soon, and there's always regrets. Not sure if you've lost a family or close friend yet, but it's similar for humans. It's harder for pets in some ways because, as you're feeling now, there are things we might miss due to the lack of communication.

You may blame yourself forever, but you shouldn't. Instead, it's a lesson in care for a future pet. I've learned over the years to be very aware of things and be overly cautious with taking them to the vet, and I also am an advocate for pet insurance. I'm lucky to have the means now that I don't have to worry about vet bills, but it wasn't always that way.

My pets now get the best care and the best quality of life because I want them to have a better life than how some of my pets lived when I was younger. I've learned, and I hate myself for how I was, but all I can do is learn and be better now. My pets deserve it.

If you felt like you gave your dog had a good life two week ago, then that's all that matters, not that you didn't recognize the symptoms.

I'm so sorry for your loss. It's an awful thing, and I can't imagine the guilt you're feeling even if I don't personally think you should be feeling guilty, for what it's worth. Those feelings are normal, know that. It's part of the grief. It's part of the price we pay.

When my pets die I will feel the same things again just like you are now, but it won't be my fault then even though I will feel it, it's death. It's the other side of the coin of life - all things die, it's part of the process.

Good luck stranger

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 days ago

Yeah, animals tend to try to hide their injuries and illnesses. It's a behavior that is beneficial in the wild.