When my dog  died suddenly of kidney failure, I felt as if I had been kicked in the gut.  I was really hurting and I was surprised that the person who had spent the most time with this dog didn’t seem to be nearly as affected as I was. When I checked with him, Jack said, “I don’t miss her because I travel with her all around the planets every night before I go to sleep.”  Jack was grieving in his own way.  Every night he made up “adventures” and he and our sheltie (his co-pilot) traveled around the galaxies.  Eventually,  we all healed and once we got another dog, Jack’s space travels included the new dog.

Losing a pet is difficult.  No one expects you to grieve, at least not for very long.  “It’s just a dog,” people say.  “The dog pound is full of puppies that need adopting, just go get yourself another dog.”  But, if you’ve had a pet living with you for more than 10 years, let’s face it he/she has probably spent more time with you than anyone else.  Others in the family have jobs, they have hobbies, they have friends, they attend sport events and concerts without you.  Your dog, on the other hand, is always there at the drop of a leash.  A dog will follow you anywhere.    A dog will spend time with you, no questions asked.