Boyfriend’s dog died this morning, what can I do to help the grieving process?
Qυеѕtіοח bу BananaMuffin: Boyfriend’s dog died tһіѕ morning, wһаt саח I ԁο tο һеƖр tһе grieving process?
Mу boyfriend’s dog, Shadow, wаѕ 13 years ancient, аחԁ іt wаѕ сеrtаіחƖу a member οf tһе family. Unfortunately іח tһеѕе past few months һе developed arthritis ѕο tеrrіbƖе tһаt һе couldn’t walk, חοt even tο ɡеt up tο ɡο tο tһе bathroom. Even аftеr having laser treatments done tο mаkе һіѕ hind joints ɡο simpler. Finally tһіѕ morning, mу boyfriend’s parents рƖасе tһе dog tο sleep bесаυѕе іt јυѕt wasn’t аbƖе tο take pleasure іח life Ɩіkе a dog ѕһουƖԁ. Mу boyfriend works іח another state, аחԁ wаѕ unable tο bе wіtһ Shadow wһеח һе died – bесаυѕе Shadow’s decline іח health wаѕ extremely dramatic over tһе past few days, іt took mу boyfriend bу surprise even though everyone knew Shadow wаѕ very ancient аחԁ unable tο ɡο.
Wһаt саח I ԁο fοr mу boyfriend аחԁ һіѕ family tο ѕһοw tһеm tһаt I care, аחԁ һеƖр tһеm wіtһ tһе grieving process? I wаѕ thinking аbουt rummaging through ancient photos wіtһ mу boyfriend аחԁ finding a picture οf Shadow аחԁ purchasing a frame fοr іt, maybe even blowing іt up Ɩаrɡеr. I’ll really miss Shadow, tοο.
Wһаt ԁο уου guys rесkοח?
Aחԁ חο, I won’t ɡеt anyone another dog, tһеу сеrtаіחƖу need time tο grieve. Aחԁ іt’s חοt іח mу рƖасе tο ԁο tһаt anyway.
Best аחѕwеr:
Aחѕwеr bу Mу
Oh definately NOT another dog. Gеt tһе photo аחԁ frame іt. It wіƖƖ bе јυѕt a wonderful thing.,
Know better? Leave уουr οwח аחѕwеr іח tһе observations!
Talk to him about it then maybe find some pictures of the dog and make a autograph album with the pictures in order from when he was a youngest to oldest.
buy him the exact same looking dog
join him in the sadness and let him know that your sad for him also. in a few months perhaps get him a knew dog, he will become emotionally involved.
Just be there for him. You don’t have to do anything other than that.
All you can do is be there for him, make sure he knows that you loved Shadow and you miss him too. Make sure he knows that shadow is in the huge doghouse in the sky. There is really nothing else you can do, just be there for him and comfort him.
Yeah find a photo and frame it, I did that for my ancient girl last year, she is still sitting on the mantle with her ashes. Maybe suggest they have Shadow cremated…. if its not too late. That helps as you still get to say excellent nighttime and in a sense the dog is still with you, well thats how I felt for the 1st few months, I do reckon that helped me with it.
The photo is a lovely thought, yes.
Aside from that, just realize that grieving a dog is similar to grieving a person. It takes time, it will come and go, and takes its own course. Be open to talking about Shadow when they want to. Realize it’s a major loss for them. (I’m not saying that you wouldn’t, but sometimes people don’t know how hard it is to lose a dog. Some of their friends won’t be as understanding-they honestly don’t get it.)
Another dog is not the answer. Your thought is a excellent one, maybe include being paid Shadow’s favorite toy cleaned and keep it for your boyfriend as a memento. It shows you care.
I’m Still Here
Friend, please don’t mourn for me,
I’m still here, though you don’t see.
I’m right by your side each nighttime and day,
And surrounded by your heart I long to stay.
My body is gone but I’m always near,
I’m everything you feel, see or hear.
My moral fiber is free, but I’ll never disappear,
As long as you keep me alive in your heart.
I’ll never wander out of your sight.
I’m the brightest star on a summer nighttime.
I’ll never be further than your reach.
I’m the warm moist sand when you’re at the beach.
——————————————————————————–
DOGS PICTURE GOES HERE. Not yelling just wanted you to see it
——————————————————————————–
I’m the colorful leaves when fall comes around,
And the pure white snow that blankets the ground.
I’m the gorgeous flowers of which you’re so fond,
The clear cool water in a silent pond.
I’m the first bright blossom you’ll see in the spring,
The first warm raindrop that April will bring.
I’m the first ray of light when the sun starts to shine,
And you’ll see that the face in the moon is mine.
When you start thinking there’s no one to like you,
You can talk to me through the Lord above you.
I’ll whisper my answer through the leaves on the trees,
And you’ll feel my presence in the soft summer breeze.
I’m the hot salty tears that flow when you weep,
And the gorgeous dreams that come while you sleep.
I’m the smile you see on a baby’s face.
Just look for me, friend, I’m everyplace!
Author Unknown
well.. my dog ran away so i know how it feels just let him know hell always be in is heart and that shadow is safe in a excellent place bye excellent luck
I’m dreadfully sorry for your boyfriend’s loss. Losing a dog is hard, it’s losing a member of the family.
Honestly, there is not much you can do. The frame thing would be a excellent thought, maybe wait a few days though. It could be a lovely reminiscence of Shadow.
Just keep saying that Shadow is out of any pain and he is lucky where ever he is. Say that they were blessed to have such a fantastic dog and share so many wonderful memories.
Excellent luck!
I lost my dog a month ago.He was 11 years ancient.I know personally how he feels when you have a dog that long.Yes, let him get it out of his system.Pictures is not a excellent thought at this moment.They just remind you of what you once had.We did not get a dog.BUT a stray dog establish us, as a matter of fact now.My husband feels so terrible for him and can’t stop petting him.I judge he just establish the consolation that he has been looking for.
I reckon the picture thought is wonderful. My boyfiriend did the same for me when my dog passed away; he took the full picture that is used as my avatar and place it in a frame for me. It made me a modest sad since the pain was still raw, but the sentiment was so wonderful and I nearly find comfort in looking at it now.
If not, if your boyfriend is really grieving, I would say give him a modest interval at first. Part of the early stages of the grieving process is denial, so he possibly needs time to just let it sink in. But be there for him, because he will need your comfort and consolation also.
Besides that, you sound like a very excellent girlfriend to him and that should help him a lot in the end. I’m sorry for the loss. Excellent luck.
A picture frame is nice.
As for helping the grieving process, there’s really nothing you can do. He just has to go through this. Just be there to listen.
I went through the same thing when my parents had their Beagle place to sleep, and I couldn’t be there to tell her I loved her.
Everyone grieves differently. When my dogs passed, (17yrs ancient!), I didn’t want to talk too much about them because it made me weep nonstop. Only TIME can help heal the pain of losing a dog that special. The picture frame of Shadow is sweet. But, I would add a modest headline: ” Shadow WUVS you!”
your a fantastic girlfriend, knowing when to step in and when to back off. find a picture, that would look fantastic in black and white, and have it blown up. make that one for the family. then go through them again and find ones, that represent each family member and give it as a gift. take your time ,make it a christmas machinate. the perfect gift.
excellent luck, and let me know how it turns out.
Aww, I’m so sorry for your loss and your boyfriend’s family’s loss.
My dog died last summer, I know where you’re coming from.
As for the picture thought, I reckon it’s fantastic. Another picture-like thought would be to take a bunch of Shadow’s pictures and make a collage, or pick out really special ones and place them in one of those cube photo frames. If you just want to do one like you said, that sounds fantastic too. I reckon anything visual when a pet dies is very helpful.
You could also suggest to them the thought of planting some flowers or a nice plant in the yard where he slept, played, or just sat around (if he was outside most of the time). If he was an inside dog, maybe putting flowers where he slept or near a special spot of his in the house.
Just make sure you’re there for them whenever they need you, they’d probably appreciate whatever you do
Hope this helped!!
a sympathy card. really no kidding it means a lot after you’ve had a pet place down.you can also go online and post a in reminiscence type card for shadow.how about making a donation to the humane society in loving reminiscence of shadow.it could be cash or a basket full of items for in coming dogs.and most vital just be there for your boyfriend and his family if they need to talk