It's going to take time to feel better. Maybe read book on mourning a pet?

I'm so sorry Brooke....this is just a difficult time to get through. Wishing you peace.

I'm sorry that you've lost your friend. When I had to have my cat euthanized, I cried so much.

I don't know how your pet passed, but know that Fred isn't in pain. Isn't suffering. You had 10 wonderful years together and nothing can change that.

deep breath. try focusing on the gift you were given and not so much on the loss
anything you wana share about him?

I completely sympathize with you. So sorry.

hugs

That's a horrible thing to go through. I'm so sorry he had to leave you.

I've helped with the euthanasias of at least 100 animals while working as a vet assistant, and I still can't imagine the pain of losing my best friend. I've had her since I was 8, and the reality of losing her is getting closer with every year.

But if there's anything that witnessing all those euthanasias taught me, it's that when dogs leave us, they simply have to. Dogs love us for who we are, and they live purely in the moment. When they leave, they don't have any resentment or regrets. They're pure, wonderful creatures with no preconceptions of death.

If your sweet little friend had to leave you, please note that it's not your fault, and it was simply because they had to leave. The living can be left to feel sad and lonely, but your sweet Fred has no regrets, he isn't hurting. Death hasn't been a "bad thing" to him. It is just a necessary ending to a temporary experience. Just like a creature that hasn't come into existence yet, time isn't even ticking. It's the purest sleep. And unlike a creature that doesn't exist, he got to experience this random encounter we call life. He lived a dogs life, one of the most coveted ways to live.

If we could enjoy life like dogs, there'd be no existential dread.

Let the grief of your own loss take its time. Feel and process life without them, all while time moves forward for you and slowly closes the aching wound.
We're here, I'm here, if you ever want someone to talk to about absolutely anything, or even nothing at all. But don't feel sorry for your Fred, because he had you the whole time it mattered, and he doesn't need a thing anymore.

Thank you for all your responses. I've owned a lot of dogs, but this one was so special. He was always there for me. I know it will take time. Just so sad.

I'm really sorry to hear that you've lost your beloved Fred. I've lost a lot of pets over the years. It hurts so badly. Time helps to heal the pain and crying is good. One cat I was extremely close to I lost to lymphoma several years ago. I considered her my soul mate. Before she died, I thought I couldn't live without her when she was gone. She passed away at the veterinary clinic with me at her side. The time before her death was agony and filled with so many tears. When she did pass away I felt more than anything, relief. Every pet and their passing is different. I don't know the circumstances of Fred's death but I know he would never have left you if he had a choice and that he is loyal to you still. Death can take their bodies but it can't take the bond we share with our pet. I feel my cats that have passed inside of me, still. I dream about them and the dreams are so real and vivid, it's like they are really there. I believe that they are. Nothing can end a love that is so pure. I hope you can hold Fred there in your heart and know that he is still with you and always will be.

When I was having a hard time coping with my pets' deaths, I found some comfort by chatting with others online and hearing their stories and knowing they had been through the same thing. I went on some of the yahoogroups sites that were specifically for pets to talk about this. I think there are probably some pet loss online groups, too.

Take care of yourself. Fred would want you to be ok.

I still have his brother Duke, he was the guard/safety dog, outside (our protector), where as Fred was my emotional support. When we walked through the forest he never left my side. Duke really misses him too. Sigh!

i'm glad you still have Duke. when one of my pets dies I do take comfort in the remaining animals and it's kind of a comfort to me that we all have shared a bond with the pet that has died.

A walk through the forest sounds very nice.

I am very sorry for your loss of Fred. Allow yourself the time to grieve and know that Duke is grieving with you. It will take time, but allow yourself that time. We un-expectantly lost our granddog which feels like a family member has gone. My son and his family are taking their dog's death very hard and we are all very sad.

The guilt is overcoming me now, I was sick in the hospital when they should of got they're treatments for flea/tick control. I came home he had already been bit. I feel so responsible/bad.

I have to live with for the rest of my life,, I don't think I can.