Time. It's cliched, but it just takes time. Take comfort in the fact that (I think it's safe to assume) you gave him the best life you could on every day you had him. Hopefully your family understands that YOU need THEM to step up for a little bit. TBH, it's good experience for them to learn to take care of some things for themselves. I mean, what would they do if you had to leave for some reason (school, career opportunity, fresh start somewhere else)?

It takes time and confronting these memories so that you can cherish them instead of feeling nothing but pain and despair.

Dogs are the best pets in the world and I am very sorry for your loss.

Close the thread. Didn’t help this guy.

It's fresh, give it some time, time heals.

In a week it will be "bearable", It's a process and you're in the very beginning which is the worst.

Again, give it some time and be occupied with work, hobbies, friends, hell if you don't have a girlfriend or a wife install Tinder or go to a bar, get drunk and have fun.

When the vet was doing CPR and he didn't show any signs of coming back my dad started to cry like a baby and he was asking me what to do next. I've never seen my dad like this before and naturally i had to take control over the situation. Thank you for your words....

My dog got killed by an idiot in a car a few years back. Totally unnecessary. I still can hear my daughter screaming. Bothered me terribly for several months. I still don’t like thinking about it, but it got better

yes i emailed them to myself as audio files!!! so at least there’s two copies or everything. going to download on my computer and a USB soon. thanks for the recommendation, fren

Everything has already been said, but I just want to say that I'm very sorry for your loss. Our pets are our family.

I always feel a little bit better knowing I've done everything I could to give my pets the best lives they could have.

The fact that you're hurting so much means you loved your dog so much, and that is a good thing!

i bet. did you break down and cry or was it more a happy comforting moment?

Lost my pup last month suddenly as well. I cried for hours for a few days after his passing and occasionally for like 2 weeks. Its rough, still have his stuff around the house that we haven't moved because it feels soul crushing. Take your time, it'll get a bit easier with time. Its okay to be sad they were your pal.

uhg how tragic. “oh it’s such a small procedure, everything will be fine” and then life hits ya straight in the heart. i’m sorry about your wife, the fact you talk about her 15 years later speaks volumes about y’all’s marriage ❤️ 😭

I think you need to allow yourself time to mourn, your dog was your family too and it will take you more than a day to process your grief.

As far as practical advice goes, I would suggest adopting a new puppy or dog as soon as you feel you are able to care for one. I’m so sorry for your loss and I encourage you to take as long as you need to work through it.

When I think about dog friends that have passed on, I end up thinking about what it would have been the other way around. Doggo waiting for me to never return and I find that more depressing.

I'm sorry your friend is gone. He was a good boy. He was happy. He will be missed.

Ah, yeah this is good, I like this

Man, I don’t even know how “be” or “feel” normal when I am away on vacation, and my dog isn’t there, or when I get home is worse, and I’m not picking her up till the next day, my house is so empty with out her for like a day. I can’t imagine your feelings, and I’ve nothing for a timeline of recovery. My heart is with you.

I think it's more than normal to be in shock and to be grieving. Your family needs to see you this way. Emotions are part of life and it's ok to be sad sometimes. If not they may think his death doesn't bother you at all.

What helps me get thru the death of my pets is to think of all the good memories with them.

You have to be like this. You've lost a best friend and a part of yourself. It's okay to be sad and mourn that loss. My heart hurts for you; I still miss my dog and it's been 5+ years since she passed. In a week if it's still keeping you from functioning, put there stuff out of sight for a while and focus on "keeping level." Then deal with it when you can/want to. Some people have to get rid of things immediately because the revisited pain later isn't something they feel they can handle. I'm so sorry for your loss. Everything's going to be ok.

Sorry my man. That is horrible. And you should be a little shook up. You can't blame yourself either. My family and I seemed to have a curse of unexpected goodbyes. And one of the things that has made me feel better about those, is knowing that you loved that creature an awful lot, and compared to most dogs worldwide, yours got to live the dream with you. And I've always found solice in that when our pets depart they don't have regrets or dashed dreams. Most animals die giving back to the circle of life, but yours was lucky enough to have a human. A human that truly loved his companion, and will remember him for the rest of his human life. This is more than any dog has ever asked for. But I'm sure if he could talk, he would want you to celebrate the good times and not depress yourself on his absence. Much love your way man!

Hey, hugs.

It's shit. Losing a pet unexpectedly is totally shit. I had it happen last summer. It is absolutely heart wrenching. You don't get any time to accept it, like you do when they're old. You're allowed to be upset, you're allowed to grieve. Why are you hiding from your family? I assume they loved the dog like you. They're probably also grieving.

Unfortunately the only thing that makes it even slightly better is time.

My family, we got another dog almost immediately because our other one doesn't cope with being alone. That helped a little, there are so many dogs out there that need homes, and we know that helping even just one is the best tribute to our old dog that we can do. But I still cry a bit when I remember the old one.

Pets carve out a place for themselves in your heart, and when they're gone what is left is a hole. That hole never fills in. It becomes smaller over time, it can be patched over, built on. But it will always be there, and that's ok. So go hug your family, and remember the good times you had with your dog.

that’s fine. i’m glad your dad is alive. i’m sure you will miss his voice one day. glad i will always have my moms voice ❤️

My dad is 74 and knows not to leave voicemails to me. He even sms before calling.

the older generation. my mom, who i loved dearly. the wonderful women who raised me and gave me the perspective i have on life.

i’m sorry for your loss, and hopefully this post can help some others out. just don’t beat yourself up over it ok?

Time helps, but it's a process. I've never totally gotten over any of my dogs, but I don't feel as bas as right after. Good luck to you. Remember the good times and bad. Let yourself grieve, it's normal.

Hey stranger, I am really sorry to hear this. You need to let yourself feel the feelings and grieve. Think of the good times you had with your dog. The great life you gave him. We never have enough time with them and it isn't fair and it is ok to take care of yourself.

I understand what you are going through on many levels. Feel free to reach out.