It's been 6 weeks since my beloved 14 year old dog was put to sleep because of liver disease. I am doing really well with the grief and all that. Some days though, I can get really busy working, etc and go through almost all the day without even thinking of my dog once!!! He is really fast becoming a memory. I try to remember him as alive, etc and pretend he is still around, but I can't. I try to remember how he felt and I can't. I don't like to think of him as a memory, because he was my child and was so full of life. Memories aren't fulfilling enough for me because you can't touch them. And I also feel guilty at times too because I am enjoying the freedom without a dog and enjoying the less work I have to do because I don't have to care for him anymore. Is all this normal? Thanks.

I can empathize with how you feel. I lost my 7 1/2 old lab 9 weeks tomorrow. I work full time, have 2 toddlers, a husband, dog and cat. My life is busy. I catch myself not thinking about Kasey and I feel guilty. However, when he was alive, I could go without thinking about him all day too, so it really isn't a change. However, when I do take the time and let myself think about him, I can become a wreck all over again. I miss him so much and wish he were back with us.

I think it'll just take more time. I wish I could just think about him, picture him, dream of him, but I can't. I agree, memories arent enugh for me either. Maybe that would be too painful. I still cry for him whenever I let myself think about him - like right now. I find myself still feeling the guilt of not realizing he was sick and trying to do something for him. I've realized that the grief process is so very different for each person that there is no "normal."

I'm sorry for your loss.

I, too, think that each person's grief is so different. Sometimes I think our subconcious mind protects us from things we can handle thinking about.

I think your thoughts are totally normal. And you are human and just trying to cope with life in general. That doesn't take away from your love, past and present, for your precious dog. He knew, and knows, you love him.

You'll be together again.

Take good care of yourself. Love,

Kathy

Hi BooBoos Mom,

I agree I worry that I am forgetting Misty somedays and I feel Bad about that. Life has a way of sneaking up on us, we get so busy we sometimes forget people that we don't see on a regular basis too.

Even though I may not think about Misty everyday, it's been about 9 weeks now since I lost her I have nights when I lay in bed and cry myself to sleep I miss her so much, sometimes I come here and almost come to tears thinking about the incredible times we had.

BooBoo knows you love him very much, and you miss him, but wants you to keep busy and move forward, I know you don't want him to be alone up at the rainbow bridge and lay there and howl because he misses you, you would want him to run and play and have fun... go forward and enjoy, when you arrive at the gate he will come running with new adventures to tell you about, so you better have some good stories for him too.

I know MIsty expects me to have some stories to tell her as well. I know she doesn't hurt and that she is laying amoungst the flowers snuffing wishing I could smell them too... but most of the time she is playing not always worried about me, and I don't want her to.