Everyone is affected differently by the loss of a loved one. For many of us the loss of our Lab can be more devastating than the loss of a human especially if you had a healthy dog with no obvious health problems. It’s important to recognize that if you are experiencing a loss that grieving is a process. There are five stages to the grieving process: Denial or Anger, Guilt, Sadness, Depression and finally Acceptance. It’s important to note that you may not progress through each of these stages equally or you may spend a very short time in one stage and a long time in another. They are however defined stages and using some of the points below may be helpful for you to come to terms and be at peace having lost your dog.
When they come home as a tiny Labrador Retriever puppy until the time they make their exit, we give them 100% of our heart, love and emotion. We provide for them, give them shelter and many times the bed, lots of chin scratches and get so use to them being around that the thought of them leaving rarely enters our minds. It’s important to me to point out that as much as we can we need to celebrate their lives. This could be especially tough for you if you had to make the decision to put him to sleep after having him for 14 years or so. Another tough situation is having to put your adult dog down because of hip dysplasia. Euthanasia is never an easy call and is normally done in consultation with your vet observing your dog’s willingness to run and play or eat and drink. Weather chocolate lab, black lab, or yellow lab, the color doesn’t matter. We love them all. Though this might be tough for some, it is the good times and memories that we will hold onto forever.
12 Ways to deal with the loss of your Labrador Retriever:
1. Hold a ritual. It doesn’t have to be of a religious nature but you can even just join hands as a family or arm in arm and each person talk about their fondest memory of their buddy.
2. Create a memorial Altar. Again, a few photographs, some old toys, a blankie or a dog dish will be a way to honor your Lab and is a good way for smaller children to cope with letting go.
3. Burn a candle. Some people choose to burn a candle in memory of their Retriever. Some will light it nightly for a time after the passing and some will allow it to burn until it burns out.
4. Claim space to grieve. Not everyone forms a bond to their dog the same way and as a result not everyone will understand what you are going through emotionally. If you need to, claim some time for yourself to grieve both from work and from friends and family.
5. Try journaling. Many times writing your thoughts down on paper will help you work through the sad feelings. Your journal can be a book from the dollar store that you keep under your pillow or you can write your thoughts on social media where others can offer comfort and support.
6. Talk to family and friends. Nobody will understand how strong your feelings for your Labrador Retriever are better than your family and friends. Give one of them a call, pay someone a visit for a coffee or tea and tell them you want to talk about how you miss your dog.
7. Take time away from family and friends who don’t understand the depth of your grief. There are people out there who will say “it’s just a dog” but we know different. Just because they haven’t formed a strong bond with a dog the way you have doesn’t lessen the thoughts you have for your Lab. From the day you brought your Labrador Retriever puppy home until it left you there was some magic that happened. Many men end up in tears when they lose their best friend. So take time away from those who aren’t willing to understand your feelings until you have resolved them.
8. Find a pet loss support group either locally or online. Sometimes a community of others experiencing the same thing is just what is needed to help.
9. Nurture yourself, also known as self care. Take a walk, get a massage, have lunch with a friend, meditate, read or do something else to make you feel good every day.
10. Consider when getting a new Labrador Retriever puppy is the right time for you-see available Lab puppies here. For some people, getting a new puppy helps right away with the sadness of the loss. For others, they aren’t ready for months or even years. My view is that you will never be able to recreate the same experiences that you had with your last dog. You were younger, times were different, you will not be able to get an exact copy of your last dog, etc…However, building new memories with a new puppy is going to be that much fun all over again.
11. Volunteer at a local shelter. The love you have for dogs shouldn’t go to waste! For some, a transition time where you spend time volunteering to help other dogs in need is a way to get you back to being in contact with a furry friend but also allows you to walk away after a while. Even helping once or twice a week may be just the thing you need to help move to the last stage of the grieving process and prepare you for your next buddy.
12. Offer to pet sit for a friend or neighbor. This will allow you to have controlled times with a new dog without the commitment.
At the end of the day it’s hard for most of us to deal with the death of our dog. They are a family member, and way more than just a dog whether or not others want to believe that or even agree. So, the grieving process is yours to own and stumble through. I wish you speed reaching the Acceptance stage and returning to enjoying a new Labrador Retriever puppy when you are able.
