I'm sorry you lost your dog. It does hurt like nothing else. I still cry when I mention my dog, Smokey who passed away a year ago in February. I still look for him and call his name sometimes before I remember. ((((finnie)))))
Take care. Sheila

It will take time, time to grieve and miss your dear pet. I think most people here have had the same experience and know how you feel. There is just an empty spot in your life now. When our beloved cat died, I collected all the pictures I had of her and made an album. Maybe you can do something like that, or plant something his his memory.

You can focus on your son's return. You must be looking forward to that. Fix up his room, plan his favorite menus.

I hope happy memories of fun times with your dog soon replace the deep sadness you are now feeling.

Susan

(((Finnie)))
I remember feeling exactly that way last year when I had to put my sweet chocolate lab Sam to sleep. I am so, so sorry!

I was without a dog about 6 months and then rescued a dog from the pound. I love him dearly but I still find myself missing Sam.

(((((((((Finnie)))))))))

Finnie ~ I know how you feel and it makes me cry to read a post about someone losing their beloved pet. I remember the pain, the emptiness.... It's been 2½ years since our Teddy had to be put down and it will be 2 years next month that we had to do the same with Bear. The pain isn't as raw as it once was, but it is still there. I've been working in the backyard a lot lately and I see Bear's paw prints where he walked in some wet cement. It has stirred up some memories and some tears.

This post isn't about me, so let's get back to you. Feel free to come here and talk to us as often as you want. There are many pet lovers and owners here who have been through the same thing. I wish you would tell us about him. We would love to hear about him.

One other thing. I hope you will consider adopting another pet; maybe a shelter dog. It's not going to stop your pain, but there is a dog out there who would give the world to have you show him/her some love and affection. You would be repaid many times over. It would honor your sweet dog to know you loved him enough to want to continue being a loving care taker to one who truly needs it.

When Teddy and Bear died I had not planned to get another pet because of the pain involved in losing them. There were two dogs who desperately needed a home. One had been abused and one had been neglected. He was almost hairless and you could see his little hip bones and ribs. We opened our home to them and little by little they stole our heart, so I know it can happen.
God bless you Finnie.

Linda

I'm sorry. I know how hard it is.

Finnie, I'm sorry you had to put your dog to sleep. I know how that feels, and it never gets easier.

Some people should wait before getting another pet, and others do better if they start looking for one right away. When our German Shepherd, Thunder, was killed on the road, we were devastated. We always said he was "our first son." We went back to his breeder and brought home two puppies, a male and a female. In no way did they replace Thunder, but they cheered us up considerably.

One of my best friends is in your position. She's been telling me how awful it is to come home to an empty house with no dog to welcome her. She's spending a lot of time on the Internet looking for the perfect dog for her to adopt. It's given her a focus that's very good for her right now.

So sorry ((Finnie)). That's one of the toughest things a petowner ever has to do.

I hope you can focus on your son's arrival home and when the time is right I hope you'll find another pet to love.

Much sympathy here. I had to have my baby put down too. I can't even think about another pet.

(((((Finnie)))))

You are all so warm and wonderful - it means so much to me right now.
Socks, believe it or not, that is exactly what I am doing, I went thru all my pictures and am getting an album together, and a friend gave me a mini rose bush to plant in Henry's honor.

Henry was my 10 yr old Shih Szu and he was the sweetest, most loving dog you could hope for. He suffered from congestive heart failure and his little body gave out last week. His heart was so enlarged he couldn't even lay down or be held, it was too much pressure. He had had enough needles and pills and I decided no more. He was so sad (I think for me, not himself) he looked like he could cry. He was my best friend, confidant, and protector. My whole neighborhood is mourning his loss because we live on a corner and everyone who walked their dogs knew Henry and looked for him in the window every day. He had the greatest disposition and literally made me smile every single day from the day we brought him home. Right now it's hard to even think of another dog, but I know that I want to rescue a dog who needs my love some day...and it will probably be sooner than I think, I could never turn one away. I just want this awful sadness to leave me, so I can only think of the happy times I had with my sweetie pie. I can't wait until my son comes home...poor thing he cried like a baby on his way back to his dorm room when I told him, just goes to show even the big guys have a soft spot for their dogs. Thank you so much for letting me talk about my Henry...it really does help...but of course you all knew that already.

So sorry for your lost. I know how you feel. It will take time to recover and grieve. It took me 2 years before I was ready to adopt again. When you are ready you will know.
Clare

I know the pain you are feeling. Had to put my sweet peke Sasha down Nov 17, 2006. I got another peke Jan 24, 2007. We have a great time with him and love him, but we still miss Sasha so much. There is no replacing a special pet. The emptiness in the house was so great we got Caesar only 2 months after Sasha was gone, but we're glad we did, he makes us laugh again.

No, it does not get easier. I was gravely mistaken that as I got older, the pain and tears would be less. That doesn't happen.
Perhaps you could check into the Shih Szu rescues. Rescues need you as much as you need them. Meet the rescues and when you look into their eyes, you will know. All the rescues I've had and currently have always give love abundantly. Kisses and "lovins" galore. Some are abused and mistreated and some are where the owner cannot take care of them anymore.
I do hope you find a way to help ease the pain and lessen the tears.
Lynn

Thanks again everyone. I know I will find another sweetie to love some day...but I want to grieve for my Henry for a while. I feel like a lost soul and I know my son will go thru the same thing when he gets home, the silence is deafening. I would give anything in the world to give my Henry one more kiss and tell him I love him...

Finnie, I'm so sorry. I know all too well how it hurts. Last summer, we had to have our 11 year old Shih-tzu put to sleep, he had congestive heart failur, too. When I got his ashes back, I went to Walmart to find a perfect frame for his picture to sit on the shelf with his ashes. I stood in the aisle and cried looking for a frame. We were going to wait until Christmas and get another shih tzu, but then 2 weeks after Spanky was put to sleep, we found out about a 4 month old puppy that was the last of the litter and wasn't selling and they were trying to find someone to take her for just the cost of the shots she had had so far. So we took her, and in Spanky's memory, we named her Darla (both from Little Rascals).

Lots of hugs,
Tammy

I'm so sorry, Finnie.
Lu

Hugs to you, finnie. It's one of the hardest things we, as humans, have to do. I am truly sorry for your pain and sorrow.

(((Nora)))

I wish I could take your pain away. I have never lost an indoor dog (we only have had the current 2), but Sam is getting older and I dread the day he will not be here. I don't even want to imagine what you are going through.
Big soft rainy PA hugs, Kathy

I feel your pain, Finnie.

Last year I lost both of my dogs (and my Father) in a little over 4 months.

Going home for a long time was simply awful.

I started putting in 10-15 hour days at the office and spending as much time away from the house as I could.

I was finally coming to terms with the situation and was getting used to being alone when my friends had to get rid of their one dog, Mason.

His coming into my life in November was a godsend. He's an enormous pain in the butt, and there are still times when I miss Ruger and Nikky so much that it's like a weight on me, but I actually look forward to coming home now.

I wish I had some magical words for you, but unfortunately there are none.

I'm so sorry to all those who have lost their sweet little friends too. My heart also goes out to you all. I know what the vet said is true, "it's one of the most unselfish acts you can do for your pet" is to let them go when they're in pain...but it just hurts so, so much. I will love my Henry forever and will see him at "the Bridge" someday...

I am so sorry. ((((Finnie))))

(((Finnie)))

kframe - I just reread your email, I'm so sorry about your Dad too. I hope you're doing OK.

I'm glad Mason has brought some joy back into your life - even if he is a pain in the butt :)

Thank you all so much for your well wishes and thoughts.