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So this afternoon I got some devastating news. My long-distance boyfriend of almost 2 years has an elderly lab (14) who I've gotten really close to. I've known that he's been nearing the end of his life for a while but I wasn't prepared for him to pass away. He crossed the rainbow bridge tonight and it hit both of us very hard. I've never experienced a pet death before. I don't know how to grieve and how to support him as this has been his best friend for 10 years. I feel like I shouldn't feel as bad as I do because he's not my dog but I have bonded with him a lot. I'm in need of advise on how to support my boyfriend as well as grieve myself and how to navigate this situation. Thanks for reading. |
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Oh no that really sucks he passed. I'm so sorry I know how that feels. PM me if you want to talk |
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Trivia Team
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Sending so many hugs your way. You're completely valid to grieve. The sign of a good dog is the broken hearts they leave behind, and he sounds like a very good boy indeed. Everybody handles grief differently, but if you want to do something nice for your boyfriend, a photo album of the dog and maybe a stuffed animal may be a nice present, especially if you're long-distance and can't be there yourself. |
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Very sorry for the loss.. it is never easy losing someone you love (furry or not). We all grieve in different ways... there is no correct way to grieve. Just feel what you have to feel. We all have different ways of dealing with loss. As far as your boyfriend goes, just be supportive.. let him talk about him. Help him remember good times or funny stories... but if he doesn't want to talk about it .. that is okay too.. grief doesn't always happen immediately... especially if a loss was sudden or unexpected.. usually there is some shock first.. then once the reality has sunk in.. a person will usually begin to grieve. And sometimes you never overcome that grief.. and that is okay too. I agree with Puck that a token with memories is a nice idea. Just remember, grief is not always tears, it can be anger, or confusion or distance.. there are lots of ways it can manifest itself.. so just know that if he wants to be alone or something of that sort.. it is more than likely the pain talking. |
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Thank you <3
High Eagle Ranch said:
Oh no that really sucks he passed. I'm so sorry I know how that feels. PM me if you want to talk
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Thank you Puck. I just bought him a stuffed lab and gave him some ideas for memorabilia.
FirstLightFarms said:
Sending so many hugs your way. You're completely valid to grieve. The sign of a good dog is the broken hearts they leave behind, and he sounds like a very good boy indeed. Everybody handles grief differently, but if you want to do something nice for your boyfriend, a photo album of the dog and maybe a stuffed animal may be a nice present, especially if you're long-distance and can't be there yourself.
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Thank you so much. I really needed this <3
Sporting Chance Farm said:
Very sorry for the loss.. it is never easy losing someone you love (furry or not). We all grieve in different ways... there is no correct way to grieve. Just feel what you have to feel. We all have different ways of dealing with loss. As far as your boyfriend goes, just be supportive.. let him talk about him. Help him remember good times or funny stories... but if he doesn't want to talk about it .. that is okay too.. grief doesn't always happen immediately... especially if a loss was sudden or unexpected.. usually there is some shock first.. then once the reality has sunk in.. a person will usually begin to grieve. And sometimes you never overcome that grief.. and that is okay too. I agree with Puck that a token with memories is a nice idea. Just remember, grief is not always tears, it can be anger, or confusion or distance.. there are lots of ways it can manifest itself.. so just know that if he wants to be alone or something of that sort.. it is more than likely the pain talking.
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Red River Ranch said:
Thank you so much. I really needed this <3
Sporting Chance Farm said:
Very sorry for the loss.. it is never easy losing someone you love (furry or not). We all grieve in different ways... there is no correct way to grieve. Just feel what you have to feel. We all have different ways of dealing with loss. As far as your boyfriend goes, just be supportive.. let him talk about him. Help him remember good times or funny stories... but if he doesn't want to talk about it .. that is okay too.. grief doesn't always happen immediately... especially if a loss was sudden or unexpected.. usually there is some shock first.. then once the reality has sunk in.. a person will usually begin to grieve. And sometimes you never overcome that grief.. and that is okay too. I agree with Puck that a token with memories is a nice idea. Just remember, grief is not always tears, it can be anger, or confusion or distance.. there are lots of ways it can manifest itself.. so just know that if he wants to be alone or something of that sort.. it is more than likely the pain talking.
Please, if you need to talk about it or anything.. I am usually around and always happy to listen to anything you need.. you can cry, rant, laugh.. whatever you need.. I can be there. I have been there... |
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You guys are so much better with words than I am I agree with what everyone has said. We all grieve and heal differently, the important part is not to bottle it up I am so sorry for both of your losses This website is a group of very generous artists that provide free art (if you want to get him a memorial piece) |
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