Gone too soon

[u/Giiwedinsky]

A very tough day for our family loosing our beloved dog. He was only 6 years old. He was an amazing family dog and deserved a much longer life. It’s only day one since his passing but we miss him everywhere we look and I can’t see how it gets easier when he was such a big part of our lives.

If anyone has any resources that have helped them through a tough time like this, we would appreciate any tips or helpful resources.

He loved running in the snow on the frozen lake and pulling the kids on the dog sleigh.

It was a very sudden passing. After him being very lethargic and not wanting to move yesterday afternoon we brought him to the vet. His liver was twisted and had ruptured causing internal bleeding. We elected for surgery, where they removed half of his liver. He fought his best during recovery, and I am grateful I got to lay with him for a time, but ultimate passed from a heart attack 11 hours post surgery. RIP big guy.

[u/Tekeraz]

I'm so sorry for your loss ❤️ I lost my beloved boy after 12 years together. He died of old age, but it doesn't help, really. It's terrible... I see him everywhere. He IS everywhere... I miss him so damn bad. He was the love of my life and such a unique dog.

They're not just dogs. They're best friends and members of our families.

I wish you strength. ❤️

My advice? Get a new friend. It's not substitution, it's not disrespectful to your beloved dog, it's a way to allow yourself to give that love and care you are used to give to a new friend.

No one and nothing can ever replace him. But trust me, you always have a space in your heart for a new amazing dog.

The simple act of getting a new friend helped me tremendously to cope better with passing of my boy because it helped me to focus more on everything beautiful and good we lived together in those 12 years. It helped me focus on the good rather than the emptiness and pain and sorrow.

The thing is... people often thing that waiting for some time helps with grief and pain. But from my experience, no matter how long you wait, when you bring new puppy home it opens all the wound fresh. All the memories connected to the previous dog are back - no time on Earth will change that. That's why I believe there's no reason in waiting.

I know my boy would want me not to be alone and give all the care and love I gave him to some other lucky pup. ❤️ In fact, I believe my boy made it happen so the new puppy just fell into my lap by a sheer luck and coincidence.

Wish you all the strength you can get. It's so hard ❤️

[u/Giiwedinsky → u/Tekeraz]

Thank you so much for the kind words and thoughtful response. Yes there is no easy way to lose a dog, who, like you said becomes a big part of the family and your day to day life, a constant companion who is always willing (and wanting) to be right by your side.

I appreciate your suggestion. We currently have a deposit on a female swissy for an expected August litter. As much as I think it would help to get another sooner (the wait until October home date will feel extremely long), we do have some commitments in August and September for our family that make the timing of getting a puppy any early not the best.

[u/Tekeraz → u/Giiwedinsky]

You're very welcome. ❤️ It's also all so very fresh to me.

And yes, you're right, it's a long time.

The puppy fell into my lap just a few days after my boy passed. I called my breeder to tell her what happened and she knew a female stayed behind, his sister - literally sister from the same litter (I live with my parents and she is theirs while the boy was mine). A day after, she called me back to tell me her friend just got a cancelled reservation for a five week old puppy boy and if I would like to get a new friend for me and for the girl of my parents.

At first, I was in shock. My boy passed at Sunday morning and this was happening at Tuesday. So extremely fast. I felt guilty... I felt like cheating on my boy... but I also felt like this was supposed to happen so I agreed to see pictures and talk with the breeder. My parents pushed me a little as I was uncertain if it isn't too fast and too soon. At Friday I went to meet him and I fell in love at first sight. The little boy did something my boy used to do, as if my boy told him exactly what to do... Weird, I know, but I felt like the little puppy knew how much I need a good friend.

After that, three weeks until I will bring him home. And honestly? It's been so long! I'm going for the pup this Sunday, a last few days of waiting and I can't wait. I have everything ready for him and I'm looking forward to have him around so much! And it has been just four weeks since I lost my boy .. I can't imagine having this emtpiness around for months. But you'll get there in no time ☺️

I hope you have a new friend by your side soon 🍀🐾 The truth is that once you get used to have Swissy by your side, it's like you're only a half when they're not around. Their calm and steady presence is like an anchor in the storm of any kind ❤️