| The death of a beloved pet is something that | | | | emotions. Know that all of your feelings are |
| all of us animal lovers dread. It's probably | | | | justified. It is what makes you a living and |
| even easiest not to think of this possibility | | | | compassionate being.Offer your memories |
| until absolutely necessary. That, of course, | | | | |
| is our natural response. So what can we do | | | | Once you've started to work through and |
| when we are confronted with the passing of a | | | | accept your feelings, it's time to remember |
| canine friend? I'll tell you.It will be | | | | your dog. First write about your pet: How |
| emotionally draining to come to terms with | | | | long was he/she with you? Where did he/she |
| the death of a dog whether you've had time to | | | | come from? What memories do you have? |
| plan for the final goodbye or not. It is | | | | Collect any pictures you have and think about |
| important to remember that you can and will | | | | the life you had with your dog. Share your |
| live through this difficult time not just for | | | | stories and photos with family and friends |
| yourself, but for your beloved furbaby as | | | | who love you and your dog. Ask them for |
| well.Those of us who choose to improve our | | | | their recollections.This celebration of your |
| lives and those of animals by living with | | | | dog will help to remind you that above all he |
| canine companions know that our animals want, | | | | she wanted you to be happy and that his/her |
| above all, for us to be happy. Living | | | | happiest moments were spent being with and |
| through your dog's death is a tribute to him | | | | living with you. Respect your dog's life by |
| or her.Follow the W O O F technique to begin | | | | continuing to live yourself.Free yourself |
| to live through the pain:Wait | | | | |
| | | | Finally, free yourself from the pain and the |
| The death of a pet is a highly emotional | | | | guilt that inevitably come with the death of |
| time during which it is hard to make | | | | a loved one. Know that your dog is at peace |
| decisions very clearly. The first step to | | | | and does not blame you for his/her death. |
| living through this time is simply to wait. | | | | Open yourself up to living and loving. When |
| Take some time to breathe, to calm yourself | | | | you free yourself to live, you will allow |
| and to think about what needs to be | | | | yourself to be open to new possibilities. |
| done.Write your thoughts and ideas down in a | | | | Work to improve the lives of other dogs |
| journal, make a to do list, let yourself | | | | through volunteer work or donations. |
| grieve. Not allowing yourself the necessary | | | | Eventually you may want to share your home |
| downtime will just make the process more | | | | with another pet. Life has unending |
| difficult.Own your feelings | | | | potential if you allow yourself to |
| | | | live.Living through the death of a dog is not |
| Step two is to really come to terms with | | | | something that happens overnight. Take the |
| your feelings and accept them. You will feel | | | | time that you need to come to terms with the |
| the entire spectrum of emotions. It is | | | | death, but don't prevent yourself from |
| reasonable to expect that you will feel angry | | | | living. Know that you are not alone; your |
| and betrayed, that you'll be overwhelmed by | | | | canine companion is always in your heart and |
| sadness, or even that you'll laugh when you | | | | always wants the best for you. Remember the |
| have a funny memory of your pet.Whatever the | | | | steps: Wait, Own your feelings, Offer your |
| feeling you're having, accept it. Use a | | | | memories, Free yourself. Follow the WOOF and |
| journal to write down your feelings, it will | | | | live happily. |
| help you to see the progression in your | | | | |