I always say – the hardest part about having a dog in your life is saying goodbye : (

It doesn’t matter how old they are when they pass to rainbow bridge it’s still the hardest part.

And it’s the reason dog lovers find it hard to watch ‘dog movies’ – you know what I’m talking about – you know what scene I’m talking about!

Many dog lovers have told me over the years that they have grieved the loss of their dog more than family members.

And that’s okay!

When you think about it our dogs are with us for 10-15 years or more if we’re lucky which means they are with us through lots of changes, events and emotions.

They’re always there no matter what we look like, how we feel, what we have or haven’t done, with their unconditional love.

They’re not judging us, they’re just loving us.

And that’s what most of us want and need, unconditional love without judgement.

These four legged furry beings just come into our lives and we love them instantly, because how can you not??

Dean and I had to drop two dogs off at the local vet on Sunday, because they’d gotten out  and were running around the road!  We managed to get them into the car and to take them to the local 24hour vet – that’s just opened up in our area.

While we were having the dogs checked for micro chips there was a young family, mum, dad, and son of about 4 all in the waiting room.  I said hello, half smiled and said I hope everything is okay.

Well, the mum started crying and I started crying with her (and am now tearing up because it’s just so heart breaking), their 12 year old dog wasn’t well and they weren’t sure she was going to make it. : (

I really wanted to give her a big hug, not to tell her it would be okay because I don’t know that, but to let her know, I get it!

But sometimes strangers don’t want to be hugged by other strangers so I didn’t, I just touched my heart with tears in my eyes and said, I hope she’s okay!

My friend also recently lost her dog to bladder cancer, he was like my adoptive dog, I knew him from a puppy.

It broke my heart.

So in case you need to hear it, it’s okay to grieve the loss of your dog!

IT’S OKAY TO GRIEVE YOUR DOG!

People who aren’t dog lovers will not understand this.

They may even make comments like – ‘it’s just a dog!’

And each time I hear this remark I just want to slap that person upside the head – BECAUSE THEY JUST DON’T GET IT!

It’s not just a dog – dogs are so much more than that.

They are –

• our happy place;
• a non human to hang with;
• they keep us feeling safe;
• our snooze buddy;
• the being who listens without judgement;
• the buddy we can go car cruising with;
• the ones we can binge watch TV with and eat snacks – with no judgement;
• the ones who are excited when we get home;
• the ones who are more than willing to steal our cheese;
• the ones who do silly things that make us laugh;
• the four legged beings who can get up to mischief but who also give us that puppy dog face and all is forgiven;
• they give us meaning to life; and so much more.

They are also our four legged children because of what we do for them –

• Feed our dogs everyday;
• train our dogs to go to the toilet (preferably outside);
• clean up after our dogs go potty & check the quality of their poo;
• we clean up after our dogs eat;
• make sure our dogs have enough water;
• play with our dogs, inside AND outside;
• don’t disturb our dogs while they’re sleeping;
• our dogs also nap with us;
• make sure we’re giving our dogs a nutritional diet;
• have to make sure we choose the right Vet, groomer, babysitter, trainer etc
• make sure their toys aren’t dangerous to play with;
• try to socialise them with others;
• teach them good behaviours;
• are selective in choosing accessories for them;
• make sure they have comfy beds, if they’re not sleeping in our own bed;
• take them to school to learn & socialise – dog training/puppy training etc
• choose appropriate places to take them when dining out;
• make sure their friends are fun and playful;
• supervise them at the park;
• make sure they can swim before taking them to the beach or put life jackets on them;
• worry when they’re not well & have sleepless nights until they’re better;
• our dogs follow our every move around the house e.g.; no peeing or showering in private etc
• choose fur kid friendly holidays;
• buy camera’s so we can monitor them while they’re sleeping;
• talk to them all the time;
• worry that they’re happy and whether we’re doing a good job at being a Dog Mumma;
• find patience we never thought we had when they decide to misbehave in public;
• our electronic devices are filled with cute pictures and videos of our dogs;
• can’t stop talking about our dogs when we’re out to dinner with others;
• miss them terribly when we’re away from them;
• have a special bond with our fur kids;
• are ever so grateful to have them in our lives; losing them hurts beyond words;
• Our hearts are covered in paw prints;
• only share certain things and behaviours with other dog Parents;
• try to be upset when they do naughty things but their puppy dog eyes melt us so much we forget;
• take them and restrain them on car rides;
• respect their boundaries;
• put the TV on for them to watch or the radio on for them to listen to;
• cater to their every need;
• know the difference between their barks;
• we know all their likes and dislikes – food wise, behaviour wise etc
• had to stop them from eating something disgusting
• have bags full of their favourite things when we take them to stay overnight at their grandparents place;
• make sure they’re taking the right medicine for their needs;
• worry about them when they get older;
• love them to bits and beyond.

I’m sure there’s so much more, but you can’t deny the bond that is created by a loved dog and their human.

Which is why it’s more than okay to grieve them.

WHAT TO SAY TO PEOPLE WHO DON’T GET IT?

To the douche bags who say – ‘it’s just a dog!’

Mentally slap that person upside the head (in your mind, not for real)!

And do what you need to do, don’t give that person any amount of your energy.  You do you and – frack them!

Then take as much time off work as you need!

Call another dog lover – they do get it!

Take as much time to grieve as you need.

However, while you’re dealing with the emotions of loss and that’s perfectly fine to do so – don’t dwell there.

Hear me out, yes grieve your dog by all means and take some time to do so but don’t stay stuck there!

I don’t believe that time will heal all wounds!

All time does is help you to live one day at a time with the heart break.

That sounds bad!

Look you may never get over the loss of your dog, they’ll forever reside in your heart and that’s okay.

Your heart will now have dog paws all over it.

Each day you will remember your dog fondly, and yes you will cry but instead of focusing on their loss – you’ll become grateful they were in your life.

And you can focus on their life with you.

Every dog we have ever had, all reside in my heart!

Even my customers dogs whom I groom have a spot in my heart!

And it’s for that reason that I tear up when I see someone else going through the heartbreak, because I’ve been there and it’s fracking tough!

Your heart breaks all over again.

Geez I’m crying now as I bloody type this : (

Bottom line – I’m giving you permission to grieve the loss of your dog!

WHAT DOES ALL THIS MEAN?

The hardest part about having a dog in your life is when they pass over to rainbow bridge.

Pay no attention to douche bags who don’t get it!

Take as much time as you need to grieve your dog – because yes it is okay to grieve your dog!

They’ll forever be in your heart and by taking one day at a time you’ll learn to focus on the good times you had with them.

IN THE COMMENTS BELOW – BILLY WOULD LIKE TO KNOW – IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE SOME FUN TIMES YOU HAD WITH A DOG THAT’S NO LONGER WITH US?