this post was submitted on 29 Nov 2024
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I lost my dog, my precious girl, 7 months ago. I still grieve and cry daily. This might be due to me not having friends and family. If I did, maybe I would have moved on.
But it might also be that I didn't give her the best life that she could have had. I didn't give her weekly day-long adventures in the forest. So many hours playing video games instead of playing with her. Everyone makes mistakes, it is how you learn. But my dog deserved better than to be a trial an error thing. Which is why I will never get another dog. Because that I made so many mistakes that she had to suffer for. And I cannot imagine giving another dog what I should have given her.
So I will resign myself to a life of solitude. But damn, do I dream that I could go back in time to when I first got her. Knowing all I know now, I'd give anything, all I own. I'd give my house and be homeless forever, just for some more time with her.
I think you are being way too hard on yourself. You know what dogs want more than anything else? Love. You loved her and that was the best thing you could have possibly done for her. Sure, I made mistakes with Lucy too, but she was loved and her life was a lot better than any feral dog's would have been. She was also a rescue in a shelter that euthanized animals if they did not eventually get adopted. I saved her life. You could save a dog's life and all it would want in return was love from you.
I think you should get another dog and I don't think she suffered like you think she did.
100% agreed on this. Don't let dumbass millionaire Instagram influencers hoodwink you into thinking that only people who can afford to motorbike around the world with their dog in a sidecar are doing dog ownership the right way.
Dogs want very little from us. Shelter, food, enrichment and love. Give them those things and they will live a very happy life.
I would not be able to adopt. I am friendless and have no one to give as a referee. Shelters were I live require at least two.