If you're grieving the loss of your dear doggy friend or have suffered such a loss in the past then you'll understand and relate to what I have to say in this article. I am writing it in the hope that it might help or at least bring some comfort to someone, even if it is just one person, then I will feel it's been worthwhile.
Grief can be a very lonely place to be, often it is compassionately understood by the people in our lives when it is over the loss of a human being but, not so well embraced when it is for an animal, even though it is no less painful.
Unfortunately, dogs have a much, much shorter life span than we humans do. This is why we are doomed to suffer multiple heartaches over their passings during our lifetime. The down side, one could say, of being a dog or for that matter an animal lover.
But, consider the alternative of not allowing ourselves to fall in love with them in the first place. Can you imagine how much love we would miss out on?
So, is it all worth the pain we suffer when the time comes that they have to leave us - for whatever reason? I say "most definitely", the fun, joy, love & companionship they bless us with, so abundantly, makes every tear worthwhile, without doubt.
Incredibly, as I listen to people when they share their stories of heartache and pain, I have come to the conclusion that; the only true remedy available to us is to welcome another pet into our life. When we do, it's like magic, in so many ways, even as much as we may try and resist the newest family member, we can't! Their unconditional love and enthusiasm for us is just too infectious, it breaks down any barriers we may have tried to put up and does so faster than any other cure that I know of.
Before we know it we're in love again and there's a smile on our face, just as it should be, it's perfectly natural to feel good. On the other hand it is very unhealthy and unnatural to be living in a state of constant sadness and pain.
I know of one client who is in such awful pain over the loss of her beloved little dog that she is getting quite physically sick. Sadly, she is locked into her pain so totally that she won't even entertain the possibility of welcoming a new one into her life, even though it has now been nearly two years since her little one died.
She is effectively refusing to allow herself to heal and to live again. At a certain point it is a 'choice' we have to make. We can fight it, hide from it but, it won't go away until we make the 'choice' to send it away by taking some form of action. We owe it to our self, our family & friends to get well and start living life again.
There is nothing we can do for the loved ones that are gone however; there is a lot we can offer to the living. I implore you to welcome the idea of healing your heart, by bringing into your life another dear companion. You need them and they need you, take a leap of faith and see what happens when you do.
I strongly recommend that you make the 'choice' to honour your departed companion by giving a loving home to a new dog, a.s.a.p. You won't regret it!
A warning though, don't compare the new one to the old one, in fact, it could be wise to even get a totally different breed, to avoid that risk. The new one has the right to be loved and accepted in their own right, for their own individual traits.
I pray for you and feel your pain, I've been there more times than I care to count and will be again, no doubt. no one can ever erase the loving memories you hold so dear, of that special little face and those special little antics you both shared. They will always be yours alone to keep and will remain in your heart forever...
Dogs death... leaving a huge hole in our hearts
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