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