WalkingOnAir

Some of you may have read the post I made a few days ago about losing my dog. I know he was not a human- but today...it hurts a lot. He really is my only friend. He got worse over the weekend, and I knew I had to put him down instead of seeing him in that sort of pain. Now, I sit here. In a quiet apartment alone. With a void in my heart. Writing. Working my butt off with hardly any sleep. Thinking I hear him coming up the steps in to sit with me while I write (as usual); but, he's not here anymore.

Isn't life ironic? How I chose to try to get sober the week before it all happened. I know everything happens for a reason - maybe that's why I lasted those whole 4 1/2 days. To have a clear memory of him.

All I can see is the negative, though. How I only made it 4 1/2 days, and this drove me right back to it all. I really am trying. I'm just failing at the moment.

MIRecovery

A fellow dog lover said to me something. Dogs don't seem to be afraid to die. Maybe they know something we don't.

Be strong and I know only too well what you are going through but there no problem a drink won't make worse

ALinNS

I too am a dog lover and I am sorry for your situation, to me loosing my dog would be no different than loosing a child, pet lovers will understand this as my dog, and yes my adult children, mean the world to me, I would be beside myself.

For what it's worth, stay strong, personally I would cherish the memories vs trying to bury them. I have found in life when I bury emotions it has come back to bite me sooner or later.

Andrew

Dee74

I'm sorry for your loss.

Loss is painful and grief hurts...but it's meant to feel that way.
Don't close yourself off from that or try to numb yourself out with booze because you'll get stuck in a holding pattern of feeling bad, drinking, feeling bad, drinking....the wounds never get a chance to start healing....

allow yourself to feel, grieve and mourn...you'll work through it...and while you do trust us here, and any other support you have, to help and support you through the grief.

I'm sure you loved your dog very much - give yourself a little of that love now WalkingOnAir.

D

Soberwolf

its heartbreaking when a family member passes away I see dogs as family I know they love us like we're family and I'm really sorry for your loss I was pretty torn up when my first dog was put to sleep I just cried in my bed all day I grew up with that dog so I relate to exactly what your saying

Know you got us to lean on 24/7 were here for you bud

aasharon90

What's so awesome about being
a pet owner and lover, you are not
alone. There are many of us who
were and still are pet owners that
have many stories, memories to
share with one another.

Funny stories, uplifting stories,
memories we will always cherish.

I never grew up with animals until
I was about 8 yrs sober and we accepted
2 loveable cats, brothers to be apart of
our family. They were my gifts one of
many gifts I appreciated and was grateful
for in my own recovery.

They remained in my care till about
2 yrs ago when they passed due many
yrs of a wonderful caring loving giving
life.

It hurt, emotionally hurt for me because
they were in my care for a many yrs. and
then one day they were gone. Its okay to
grieve but we can also celebrate their wonderful
lives with us.

I found myself tapping my leg calling
for them by name to come see me when
I knew they wouldn't. It was that daily
routine, daily actions, habit that I did with
them that I learned day in and day out.

I just went thru the motions and yes
I cried and grieved and remained sober
no matter what.

Because my husband was a pet owner
before we married 7 yrs ago, he helped
me go thru the process of letting go and
explained to me that putting them down
was the best thing we could do for them.

Their quality of life would not be the
same and it wouldn't be fair to let them
live in pain. So letting them go was the
best decision for us to make for them.

Over the yrs. we had to board them when
when we road on our Harley to Sturgis
and other destinations leaving them in
a place other than their home with us.

I was always soooo worried about
them when we went off and now
since we are petless, we have that
freeing, freedom from worry, anxiety
of leaving them behind.

I have never owned a dog, but do
love seeing them especially when
I see folks bring them on trips with
them on their bikes.

They dress them up properly, add
goggles, and back pack them safely
on back and off they ride with their
little ears up enjoying the wind in their
little faces. Now that's a true rider. lol

This maybe a good time to take
care of you first right now, learning
how to reamin sober one day at a time,
focus on you, then if its meant for you
to add a new pet to your sobriety life,
then the perfect one is absolutely waiting
for you.

You and a new furry companion living
a strong, solid recovery foundation
together for yrs to come.

Ariesagain

I'm so sorry. I've been through it seven times and the only thing that gets at all easier is that I do know I will someday feel better...I never get over it, there's always a big hole in my life...I just learn to walk around it better.

But alcohol makes it much, much harder.

You know your dog would want you to shake yourself off, have a snack, go smell something interesting, and have the best life possible.

Sending you a hug.

Nowsthetime

I'm sorry too.

We lost our beloved dog last Thanksgiving, he was 18 yrs old. Now we have our other little oldie (17) and a new rescue (1.5).

It hurts so bad, I still miss him everyday but I know he is with me in my heart. Let your doggie be in your heart, feel the grief and use it as sobriety fuel. What would your doggie want?

least

When I lose one of my dogs or cats, I get another one as soon as I can. I see it as a tribute to the one who died, to give the same good life to another dog or cat needing a good home.