Lost my PTSD Service Dog of 12.5 years

@jc76, My deepest sympathy for your loss, it’s truly heartbreaking to lose your beloved friend and caregiver. I hope that you find peace and comfort over time and that perhaps one day when you’re feeling stronger you will find another trusted friend to help you through this difficult time, may he rest in peace amen 🙏

So sad that you lost a member of your family. I have had many pets and it never gets easier but I remember in my heart the unconditional love they gave me. The love overcomes the sadness eventually. Take care

@dj12
Thank you. We had him for 12.5 years. I thought we would go before him and had new parents set up if we did.

It is just such a void in our lives that hard to deal with along with all the love and caring he gave us.

I do certainly hope there is a heaven for dogs as he deserved to be there.

@jc76 My sincere sympathy for the loss of your furred son! We are tasked with the responsibility of maintaining their health, and understanding, putting our own sadness aside, when a decision needs to be made to ease their pain. Sometimes that comes on quickly, other times over a course of time.

I know you are grieving mightily. I hope you can sometime see the blessing that your dog went downhill in a few days, that he did not suffer.
Ginger

@jc76
Please read about the "Rainbow Bridge" for pets that have passed on. It made me feel better.

@dj12
I did. What a beautiful thought to hold. Thank you!!

I just can't get around him not coming up to me with that wagging tail. Laying (all 35 lbs. of him) on my wife's lab in her chair watching T.V. with us.

I hope such a place is there!!!!

@jc76 I used to do rescue and have had many dogs and cats in my life over the years. It is brutal losing four pawed kids. I have many urns for my best friends and if there is anyone around when I pass away, I want them with me. I do believe that consciousness, even animals, goes on. There is too much evidence that says so. I am so sorry you lost your friend. I also have an two dogs right now. They love unconditionally and have helped me through several of the hardest years of my life. I do not know if it is too soon for you and family, but there are so many four pawed babies at shelters. I know that does not replace your friend, but I know it has helped me several times after losing one of mine. Hang in there!

@diverdown1
Thank you!!

First of all, I am so sorry for your loss. Losing someone you loved is so hard; you know you must move on, but dealing with those feelings and memories makes it so difficult. One of my favorite quotes is by Will Rogers: “If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.” I am convinced God rewarded us with dogs and they are truly angels on earth. Believe me, I know how you feel. Sitting here, typing this, with our rescue dog stretched out next to me gives me a feeling of peace and thinking, "It's the little things that make you happy." My husband and I couldn't have children, so we've just surrounded ourselves with dog love for the last 43 years and have never looked back. This is our first time adopting a rescue and not without trials and tribulations. She was abused, scared and untrusting so it's been a work in progress for all three of us, but I guess you could say we're now her PTSD "service people" and we're so glad SHE adopted us. When you are ready, please consider adopting your next four-legged friend. They are so worth it.

@vivi75
Thank you so much! My wife and just returned from Vet hospital to pick up his remains. We had him cremated. We donated all his beds, toys, food, to a no kill shelter and did that prior to picking him up.

I married my wife in my late 30s. She already had a daughter and we did not have children together. We did not adopt our dog until I retired from FEMA as was gone 95% of the time.

Our precious dog was our child. I cannot imagine how it feels for a person to lose a child as if it is any worse than this loss I don't think I would be able to bear it.

I just wish he could have gone easier than he did. I want my wife to join me in social walking dogs at shelters but she is in worst shape than I am.

When we picked up my dogs cremation remains in his urn the cremation company gave me the rainbow poem. Another poster told me about it. If you have not read it it will really make a mark on you. I myself think of him every conscious minute thinking of him waiting for me there.

Thank you for your post!! And yes when we recover we will look at giving our love to another dog and hopefully he will love us as much as my beloved dog Fairmont.