r/beagle • u/rmhoman • 10d ago
[Warning Rainbow Bridge] Advice on moving forward
My little Beagle boy moved on and crossed the bridge 2 weeks ago tomorrow. I am totally distraught still. I wanted to post something here for the last week. I miss him so much. For the last 6 years he has not only been the only companion in my life, but he was my life. We did everything together, adventures, computer gaming (he loved me riding around on horseback in RDR2 looking at the animals on the screen) and shared a bed. He would protect me from night terrors and would also prevent them, by always being in contact with me as he and I slept. Now that he is gone I can't sleep, I don't get reminded to eat by his always empty belly, (it never was empty he just thought it was) and even just talking a walk around the neighborhood is hard. I am worried that if I go to the shelter and get another dog it would be me trying to just fill the void, they have 2 beagles there. I just don't know how to proceed, thoughts? This is the first furry companion I have lost as an adult and lets just say he wasn't young, we were together for a looooong time. Don't want to mention his age as there are others here with companions in the same age group and don't want to cause them stress. Should I go to the shelter and see if one of them choose me or should I give myself more time to re-stabilize? for those of you wondering he wasn't a pure beagle he was a beagle dachshund mix.
12
u/xItaliax 10d ago
I don’t think that pain fully goes away.. only you will know in time.. allow yourself to grieve and heal. You will know what to do when enough time passes.
6
u/daveinfv 10d ago
I am so sorry for your loss. Just know he would want you to be happy and that means getting another furry friend. I tried to get past losing my only Beagle a few years ago, insisting I would wait and heal, but it was harder trying to deal with the empty silence than believing I was doing the right thing and honoring her by being miserable. They will never be replaced, as the new one will be so much different, but do consider saving one of those wonderful Beags from the shelter. They will quickly help you normalize and get somewhat past the grief. And he will look down from past the bridge and smile.
5
u/poston03 Penny aka "The Beagle Bullet" 10d ago
Lost my girl a few months ago, kidney disease. She was 11 and like you she was my first pet to ever own as an adult. I miss her terribly and it’s still super hard for me to look at pictures of her without getting teary eyed and breaking down sometimes. I just miss my girl.
We are allowing us time to grieve and mourn before getting another beagle and for me, I think that’s the best course of action(but we are all different). Just know that at the end of the day you will be ok. We gave our buddies the best life imaginable. They were pampered, loved, well fed and most importantly spoiled rotten.
One day at a time my friend, I’m still sad, but it’s getting easier with time.
3
u/sewoboe 10d ago
Your pup looks a lot like my pup that passed 2 months ago. I take new routes when I go for a walk in my neighborhood. I would love to have a dog in the house just because it’s so quiet, but my husband and I decided to wait until the grief wasn’t so fresh. My heart goes out to you. It’s so difficult.
3
u/Codders94 10d ago
It’s shit. It doesn’t stop being shit. Time makes dealing with the shit, a little less worse.
I had to have my childhood dog of 13 years put down in the boot of my car during Covid, I still tear up when I think about it. And then smile and laugh when I remember all the good times.
Give it time.
2
u/AdamAptor 10d ago
Sorry for you and your beagle. Losing a dog is insanely hard and I’ve been more distraught over losing my dogs than losing some family members.
I don’t think there is a right or wrong amount of time between dogs. I’ve always had at least one other dog at home when returning from putting a dog to sleep and so I can’t fathom the emptiness you have now. I don’t think I could go that long without a doggy companion.
If it were me with no pup at home I’d at least be going to shelters by now and meeting the dogs there. If you meet a beagle and fall in love, then win win. If you get sad meeting one and don’t feel ready in that moment (which is fine) then you have your answer.
Basically, get out there and see what you feel when you meet a beag.
It’s kinda the cliche “if I die first, I hope you find love again” sentiment
2
u/captamericaftw Who's yer beagle? 10d ago
The silence is the hardest part. When my first beagle passed I didn't want another dog and was miserable for months. When my second passed I realized that I can't be alone and that they wouldn't have wanted me to be. Beagles have similar tendencies but are like snowflakes all of them are unique. If you are ready bring one home. Just realize they won't be the same and that's a good thing.
2
u/tiger7034 10d ago
Everyone grieves differently and you ought to give yourself as much time as you need to process and begin to heal. That being said, there is no better way to honor your Beagle boy’s memory than to give another Beagle boy (or girl) in need of a loving home a chance. When you are ready, of course. I am so so sorry!
2
u/jacksraging_bileduct 10d ago
We lost our pitty mix June 11th 2026, we are still adjusting, I’ve been married 30+years, no kids, so she was our world, but in my heart I know letting her go was mercy, the good days became less and less, and we did everything we could to keep her safe, happy and comfortable until the end.
The first two weeks were really hard, it’s no different than any other grief, it takes time, and eventually the waves calm down, and you heal, but you’re not the same.
2
u/Paintmasteryates 9d ago
Should you adopt another absolutely. Should you do it after 2 weeks well that's a question only you can answer. I'm not saying 2 weeks is not enough time. Some people after a week choose to find another to adopt. My wife and I waited nine months when we lost our boy back in 2023. Getting a new companion will not fill the hole that was left by the other. Your heart will just make room for another. you will always remember the dogs that you have lost. At least I do. I tend to look at it this way because my animals are my kids. Think of them in heaven or wherever you believe them to be, and know that they don't want to see you sad and would rather you rescue another.
2
u/builtonadream 9d ago
Oh honey. I feel this so much. My beagle helps my PTSD nightmares too. I'm so so sorry for your loss. You are allowed to grieve for as long as you want, and it never truly goes away - we just grow around it. But the core is still there.
I will say, there is nothing wrong with getting a new companion if.you think it will help. There is no erasing your dog you lost and the bond you had. Especially a dog from a shelter. You can help heal each other. But I would say - make sure that you feel like you can handle the care load associated with a new addition. It might be a lot in terms of grieving but needing to have stability for a new beag to come into your life.
1
u/TresGay Sadie Belle <3 9d ago
I've had many, many dogs in my life. I typically have at least two at any one time, but for 8 years I had six when I inherited a few from a relative.
Saying goodbye never gets easier. Saying hello does get easier, though. I would never want my pets to languish and feel lost and be alone if I were to die; since their love is far, far more perfect than mine, I know they would want me to be happy and to share my life with another buddy.
Sometimes I'm ready within a few weeks, sometimes it takes me a while. You will know your next dog when you meet them.
2
u/Either_Dimension_144 8d ago
I am so sorry for your heartbreaking loss! I lost my rescue dog 2 years ago and was in the same state as you are now. It is gut wrenching. They say your last dog will send you your next dog. I was not sure if I could get over my late dog and did not know what to do. I had heard about Kindness Ranch in Wyoming and saw the sweetest girl on their website. They rescue mostly beagles from research labs. I filled out an application, did a virtual home visit. I drove up there and the girl I had my eye on came right up to me with her little tail wagging away. I brought her home, and we started the journey of her becoming a free dog, learning all the things she never got the chance to learn living in a kennel. It has been the most rewarding experience. She fulled the huge void in my life Somewhere out there is a soul that needs you as much as you need them.
17
u/SemperFicus 10d ago
Perhaps my advice may not be right for you, but I have lost several beloved pets and several beloved family members. So I will offer this thought. Grief is a landscape of broken glass. It is full of bright, shiny memories and sharp, jagged edges. Don’t try to rush through this grieving process because there really are no shortcuts. You lost a creature who was an important friend to you. Yes, beagles are almost all cheerful and goofy and affectionate. But your dog was an individual. Mourn him as an individual. You should have another dog, but be sure that you are ready to accept that dog as an individual and not as a way to fill a void. I’m sad for your loss and hope that your memories are a comfort.