Earlier today, my family had to make the painful decision of putting our dog to sleep. This is the first time in my 25 years of life that I have dealt directly with the loss of a pet, and it's the first time I've ever watched a sentient being take it's final breath. I made the decision to stay with him until the very end because I wanted to keep him calm and content, but I can't lie, the visual has been traumatic. The process is very peaceful, but the image is stuck on replay in my head. I know it's normal to feel a range of emotions, but I could use some help. It may sound dramatic to those who have never grown attached to an animal, but this has been the second hardest death for me to handle next to losing my grandfather.

How have you coped with the loss of a pet, especially if you witnessed the passing in person? What helped your thoughts of guilt and fear dissipate?

Also, please feel free to post happy things in this thread, including pictures of your little cuties.

It was for the best. At least they aren't in pain anymore.

It was one of the most painful experiences of my life, worse than the death of my grandparents. Focus on the amazing experiences that he blessed you with. And remember that he had a happy life up until the very end, it was his time to move on, and all dogs go to heaven <3

Ugh I'm sorry sis. The only solution to grievance is time.

I went through the same situation earlier in the year, and it was one of the worst feelings I've ever experienced.

It's very hard to go through it and it still gets me when I see a dog that looks like mine, or when I see something that reminds me of her, but I guess only time will make you feel more peaceful and understand that it was the right thing to do. Seeing that little being suffering is very traumatic indeed, so what comforts me is knowing that it was the only way for her pain to end.

You will get through it. Listen to some happy music, make art or something that makes you happy. Eventually the good memories you had with your dog will outweigh the traumatic memory of its passing

The bonds we share with our pets run deep so I think it's healthy for this to be a traumatic experience.

Wishing you comfort, clarity, and empathy. Remember the good times and find peace in the thought that your guy will know no further suffering. Hope you'll be feeling better soon.

P.S. I'm sure he had an amazing human.

I lost my pom to a coyote a few years ago so I definitely know how you feel. I was in a depression spiral for MONTHS but time healed my pain (somewhat). I'm sure his last moments were peaceful & he knew he was loved. <3

just think how u gave ur lil fur baby a good life... also time is the ultimate healer

Think of the happy times you had together, no one can ever take them away from you.

Last summer I lost my cat of ten years. I went out to start my car and noticed a pool of blood; under one of the tires was my cat, lying there lifelessly. She was still alive but sustained heavy injuries all over her body, to the point that blood was dripping out of her mouth. We suspect that a neighbor's dog -- frequently let outside with neither a leash nor supervision -- attacked her, and since she was so old she couldn't escape him.

I took her inside our garage and tried to make her comfortable (I had to leave for work and nobody else was home to tend her), but she was so wounded that she'd wander around and bump into things aimlessly, almost drunkenly incoherent, panting heavily. I called my mom to prepare her emotionally for what she was going to see when she got home that afternoon. All that evening I had this horrible knot in my stomach.

When my parents got home they found our cat up in the guts of a snowblower that was parked in the corner of the garage. It's almost as if she knew this was the end, and she wanted to die somewhere quiet and secluded. They tried everything to get her out, but each time they'd call her name she'd (painfully) try to lift her body, collapse back onto her side, and meow pitifully. My dad didn't dare try and pull her out because he wasn't sure what exactly were her injuries and was afraid of hurting her, so my parents made the decision to just leave her there for the night.

In the morning she finally crept out of the snowblower, and my dad took her away to be put down.

It took a while before we were at a point emotionally to get another cat, and once we got a new pet (a siamese cat that we absolutely adore) I felt like the family was finally able to heal from such a traumatic death of our previous cat.

My recommendation is to take time to mourn the loss of your pet and then, when you feel ready, get a new one. Honestly you may never fully heal from the passing of your current dog -- I certainly haven't gotten over the death of my last cat and likely never will; even telling the story now brings back grim, painful memories. And you may get the feeling that replacing your old pet is an act of betrayal to his/her memory, but don't think about it like that. A new pet will never replace what you had with the old one, but it will be a way to continue to celebrate the opportunity to have a pet in the first place, since animals are really special creatures and they can be some of the best companions ever.

Sorry for your loss.

I remember when our dog died, she was run over by a car and I saw the aftermath, it was so horrible I ran home crying, I don't know what came over me but I had the urge to drink milk at the same time while I was crying ( ) She was buried in my mum's jacket and we buried her at my dad's friend's house, I mean, we couldn't save her at all, we are devestated, the woman who had accidentially run our dog over was so apologetic and she was so sorry, it was such a horrible day!

Just remember the memories you had with your dog, I'm so sorry for your loss.

I lost my cat Zoe to mammary/lung cancer in April. It's been 7 months and my heart is still half full. At least I have my boyfriend to help me through this pain. She was 13 and I was hoping she'd have a few more years. Making a gofundme page for her didn't help much. We only raised $300 for her cremation. I could have saved her but it was too late. (I think what made people not donate that much is the fact that my sister mentioned that she was elderly. no one's gonna give two craps about a dying old cat. they probably think "oh well, she's gonna die anyway")

a month before I lost her:


I'll get a kitten when I move next month. I really want a Siamese boy. I'll name him Beauregard

This is so heartbreaking. I'm so sorry for your loss
I'm sure you did your best and gave her the best 13 years of life ever!

aww she looks like one of my cats. Luna:



Luna on the left and Eris on the right. They are sisters.
Luna almost died earlier this year from some kind of fatty liver thing but she got better..

And I'm sorry for all your guys' losses

I've only ever lost a dog. when I was 14. We got him when I was in 3rd grade. I woke up for school to take a shower and he was in the tub [he liked it because it was cold] lying deceased We stayed home from school that day and it took some time to get over it.

my cats are 7 now and I can't imagine my life without them. I got them when they were 10 weeks old..

omg I know how you feel sis!

When my dog Judas died I was a wreck and it took me years to get over it

The poem Rainbow Bridge always comforts me when I lose a pet.

I'm sorry to hear this! Also sorry for everone in this thread

I had to make this decision twice with our dogs, the first time I was 17years old, the last time was last year.
My last dog was a little pug/pekingese mix, 18 years old, and he couldn't walk/drink/eat alone anymore, was blind, became deaf, his heart condition became worse (he had this tho since we got him from the shelter with 7years) etc.
It was all very hard.

I wish I could say you'll overcome this sadness, and maybe you will, but it didn't work out for me.
My grandparents, aunt and dog died in the last three years (my grandpa this month) and it's a struggle for me.
My parents are the only family I have now.

I don't know a solution, the only thing that helps me a bit is focusing on something else, things that you like (music, ATRL, video games, hobbies)! When I do regular things (like at work, or lying in bed before sleeping) all the heavy thoughts are there though

it will take some time to get over it but at least your doggie isn't in any pain anymore

and he/ she is in animal heaven now having the time of his/ her life