Reese, my 16-year-old puppy, just died

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

Yeah, I know. There’s already another pet thread. But I don’t really think swapping stories about deaths tends to help me with grief. I just get more sad thinking about everyone else.

I didn’t immediately cry like I did when Mom died. I felt sad, but also relief. He’s not been in a good way for a little while. I was starting to look into putting him down after he’d stopped eating. I do feel a bit bad I was asleep when he passed, so I couldn’t still be comforting him, but I had been comforting him and even helping him get to sleep (with petting and calm voices)before that, and I hope he passed without waking back up.

I was at first just doing my thing and looking up the best ways to grieve, still not feeling too bad. But now it’s starting to hit pretty hard, and I feel pretty bad. It’s a different feeling, but I also have been having some mental health stuff I’ve not mentioned, so I don’t know how that’s factored in.

I do start to get somewhat worried. You see, our landlord decided he wanted to sell our house, and only gave us a little over a month to get out. And I’ve still got a lot of work to do to get moved out, and finding a new place isn’t easy. I’m quite busy, in other words. I had prayed that Reese would at least last long enough for us to be done with moving.

It really did seem like it wasn’t going to hit very hard. And I can’t say I feel like crying exactly. It’s a weird feeling.

I don’t as of yet feel much like memorializing him. I don’t really feel like I know what to say about him. I mean, he was a good doggy, and I love him very much. He would shove his head into my hand to say he wanted to be petted, and would sometimes deliberately seek me out. He was a comfort when I would feel bad or sick. The way he would respond to people food was often funny. He cuddled very nicely. The way he raised his tail when he peed was kinda funny, too.

I’m not entirely sure what I want from this thread, to be honest. Encouragement seems nice. But not sad stuff. This is the first pet I’ve ever had that I was this attached to. And this is the first time we’ve been without a pet in quite a long time.

Anyways, thank you for taking the time to read this.

2

I’m so sorry, dear. I wish I could give you a hug.

3

I’m sorry BigT, sounds like Reese had a good run and good life.
Nothing makes it easier, so try to remember the good things.

4

So , sorry.
It’s just so hard. We’re built to live longer than they do. I keep thinking how one of mine would grieve if I had died. Most dogs do it stoically. And I try to be tough and matter of fact.
I never succeed.

Grieve well, my friend.

5

It may have been easier on him that he didn’t; he was able to go to sleep that last time in a familiar place.

You did well by him. Don’t worry about how you’re supposed to grieve; people grieve differently and that’s OK.

6

Ah, BigT, I’m sorry. It sucks to lose a beloved pet and friend. I’m thinking that his timing may have been a blessing, if he died prior to a move to a new home - it could have been stressful for him to be suddenly in a place he didn’t recognize. As it is, he died in familiar surroundings knowing his master was right there with him.

7

FWIW, throw yourself into your moving: the packing, the house hunting, the physical move (oh, is it ever physical), the unloading, the unpacking, setting up the house, then plop down on the sofa, or the carpet, and let it out. And do not, for one minute, beat yourself up if you’re thinking about adopting another K9 – God knows there are enough of them out there; they need us, and I guarantee if you search hard enough, you will find the right buddy to fill that void. Don’t think you’re dishonoring Reese’s memory if/when you do, only us dingbat humans think like that.

Sixteen years is a good, long run, but that doesn’t make it any easier. I’m sorry and hang in there, BigT.

8

Don’t feel like there’s a way you have to grieve. You’re not doing it wrong.

My most sincere sympathies. A dog’s love is the only love money can buy.

StG

9

Sorry for your loss BigT. Reading about Reese he was a good boy. I’m sitting here telling my current three how good they are, and remembering the ones who are gone.

I’m probably the last one who should be giving advice on how to deal with pet loss, as I have trouble with it as well.

For me, the worst thing is that Facebook and Google Photos will occasionally show me a picture of a pet that is gone, as a “remember this” thing and I’m right back to grieving.

10

I’m so sorry.

Grieving is different for everyone. I know exactly what you mean when you say you feel relieved in a way. I felt the same way with various dogs when we had to put them down. Making the decision to take that step, making the call to the vet and then on top of that watching your sweet dog in pain, not eating, etc. is so very, very stressful. When it’s all over you can’t help but feel relief along with grief.

11

I’m really sorry to hear this. It sounds like you gave him a great and loving home. That’s all a dog could ever ask for. Everyone grieves differently so don’t feel like you should be reacting a certain way. It’s all valid. Best wishes to you.