My dog died and I'm depressed

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AndrewP

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I’m a 42 year old man who has a pretty good life all things considered. I have a decent home, a job managing a business and good friends from my Parish.

I was experiencing depression 10 years ago and was on medication for a couple of years, perhaps best described as “Mildly depressed”. I adopted a dog about this time, a miniature Poodle I named Nathalie from a bad puppy mill situation. ]

Over the years I was able to experience the joy of giving my Nathalie a better life than she had and she helped me come of out my shell and become less introverted as we met different people at various canine events. It really made a difference.

As age set in she had a rapid decline in health over the past 2 months as kidney failure set in violently. After a couple of desperate attempts to keep her alive I had to say goodbye to her on April 8th as she passed away in my arms.

I’ve been so used to sharing things with my little buddy for so long that I have to admit I’m really hurt right now. I am trying to continue my work duties and taking care of my parents as they are getting older. I thank God that I am so fortunate to have such good Parents and it’s a blessing to look out for them now. But I feel like “my light” is dimmed and I’m having a hard time getting back on track.

I know God is there for me in all of this, and I thank God every day for guiding me towards converting towards Catholicism. I just selfishly wish that this process of dealing with loss wasn’t so painful.

Thank you for your time and for letting me express myself. May God Bless all of you.
 
Maybe you should get another dog? That’s what we did when ours died. Since you’ve already gone through depression before, you know that it will pass. It might take time, but it will pass. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, whether it be friends, relatives, your doctor or therapist. Lean on others for support until the weight on your shoulders starts to ease. I don’t have depression but do deal with anxiety. One thing that helps me during suffering is to think of the long term. On earth I will have good times and bad times, but there will always be suffering. The only end to suffering will be when I get to heaven. To get to heaven requires serving God and the people around me. If I stop doing those things, I might still make it to heaven, but I’m taking a big risk. So no matter how bad I feel, I’m going to do my best to serve because it’s the only way my suffering will end for all time. This gives me a constant purpose to keep on living and growing in the faith. When you’re depressed you feel like there is no reason to live. Nothing interests you, but here is a reason to live. There is an end to suffering. It’s a long journey, but you can work on it a little bit every day. I hope you feel better soon. =)
 
I worried about this too as a owner of a dog from a similar situation.

:gopray:

Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Amen.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.

Glory Be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning is now ever shall be world without end
Amen.

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession, was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy, hear and answer me. Amen

:signofcross:
 
Hey my friend dog lover and occasionally depressed person ! I can absolutely understand where you are coming from. I have dealt with clinical depression in the past and now I am 51 years old. Dogs have always been a part of my life since I was a little girl. I am now dealing with a Great Dane who is failing and will be 9 in June which is old for the breed. So very hard to see her hind legs giving up on her as she struggles. I love her so much. We have 4 dogs but I have to admit she is my favorite.
Having said goodbye to many dogs I have loved, I have come to the conclusion in that it is a lesson that all good happy blessings come from God, and it’s in His time that it ends. We have to trust God has a plan and remain faithful in that plan. There are so many other dogs at the pound in need of a good home. ( I think mixed breeds are almost smarter).
Another thing to consider is reality that they are dogs, not people. It is cloudy in that area sometimes as dog lovers, but people are most important to God, and should be for people. God gave us dogs to comfort us, but they are not people and we have to remember that in the importance category.
God bless you fellow dog lover and I hope this helps.
 
AndrewP said:
Thank you for your time and for letting me express myself. May God Bless all of you.
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May God bless you too AndrewP - thank you for sharing your story, and telling us about Nathalie! I have a miniature poodle mix also from a puppy mill; she just turned 6 and I sure know what a blessing your Nathalie was to you.

I don’t know if getting another dog immediately is right for you; we are all different and you may need time to grieve and work through some of your depression. Eucharistic Adoration was a big help with my depression - if it is available and you are able to go, I’d encourage that.

I’m sincerely sorry for your loss and will pray for you :grouphug:
 
Andrew,
This is a sad event, and you have my sympathies. I think it is very natural to feel sad about the loss of a pet, because they add so much to our lives. While not putting a pet on the same level as a similar human being, we still miss our pets and have experienced a loss from our lives.

You will feel better as the wound heals, but as you probably know, you won’t feel as if it hadn’t happened, more like a healed scar.

Thank God for letting you have Natalie for this time, and do not fear feeling a normal sorrow for this loss.

May you feel God’s love and comfort.
 
It’s not at all selfish! And please know you made your little buddy happy and gave her a wonderful life! God gave you Nathalie because he knew you two were perfect for each other and you would love her more than anyone else could ever do. You have been very unselfish and very loving.

You gave Nathalie much love and she gave to you as well. She will be a part of you forever, and I know you will thank God for having had her in your life every day. Perhaps, when you are ready, you could get another dog who desperately needs love and care. Nathalie, I think, would approve, and watch over you from heaven. Yes, I do believe our pets, who are our loved ones, go to heaven. Nathalie left you a legacy of love that you can pass on to another dog who might otherwise lose his or her life in the dog shelter.

I will pray for you and for your Nathalie. Please take care of yourself, and see your doctor if you feel too depressed, however, it’s natural to feel depressed when we love a beloved soul.

God bless you.
 
I’m praying for you.

I just went through this with my cat whom I loved with my whole heart. It really does help to get another pet to hug and begin to love. It will take time. Hang in there.

I too believe that our pets go to heaven and will be waiting for us there.

:grouphug:
 
I am so very sorry for your loss! I am a cat lover and have had to put down several cats in the course of my life. I usually cry and cry for days, and have a sense of grief and loss for several months afterwards. They are my furbabies. I am single, so these little furballs are my constant companions and losing one is devastating.

I thank God for everyone who adopts a pet or rescues a stray animal---- we are truly saving one of God’s creatures and giving them an opportunity for a happier healthier life. And we get so much in return from them! You are in my prayers.
 
You will see your dog in Heaven.
Jesus said: “Behold I make ALL things new.”
And in Revelation:
“ALL Creation is groaning as if in birth pangs, for the coming of the New Jerusalem.”

And in the meantime, help another pet on earth, get a new dog
 
Your little friend went on to the next world like we all must do. Now is the time to grieve and sooner or later another little guy or gal will enter your life - there is someone waiting who will need you too. Our cat Butterfingers left us far too early, but at the right time our new friend Carmelo entered our lives.
 
I’m so very sorry for the loss of your pet. I know & understand your feelings. Praying for your intentions. Praying to St. Dymphna for your health & recovery. God bless.
 
Simca said:
I’m praying for you.

I just went through this with my cat whom I loved with my whole heart. It really does help to get another pet to hug and begin to love. It will take time. Hang in there.

I too believe that our pets go to heaven and will be waiting for us there.

:grouphug:
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Said a prayer for you, Simca, as well as another for Andrew and his Nathalie.

God bless.
 
My condolences OP.

I feel your pain, as I will miss my FOXY LADY for many years. She died six months ago.

God Bless and ICXC NIKA
 
Google the video “Legend of the Rainbow Bridge”. It is from a poem by the same name. There are many different versions of it but I like this video the best. I usually send it to my friends who have lost a furry friend.

Man was put in charge of God’s creations. It was one of God’s first requests. You are doing His will. God bless you for that.

Take your time before you move to adopt another. Sometimes we want to exactly replace the one we’ve lost, and that isn’t fair to the pet nor to the owner.

It took me 10 years after we lost our Golden age 18. Didn’t think there ever would be another like her. There was in a more miniature form. She died four years ago at 14. I know there is another out there, and we’ll move to find her after we are finished with traveling.

I too believe all God’s creatures go to heaven. He loves them even more than we do. So we know Natalie is well cared for and that’s a good thing. 🙂 Guess your job is to love another here on earth and make its life better.
 
AndrewP said:
I’m a 42 year old man who has a pretty good life all things considered. I have a decent home, a job managing a business and good friends from my Parish.

I was experiencing depression 10 years ago and was on medication for a couple of years, perhaps best described as “Mildly depressed”. I adopted a dog about this time, a miniature Poodle I named Nathalie from a bad puppy mill situation. ]

Over the years I was able to experience the joy of giving my Nathalie a better life than she had and she helped me come of out my shell and become less introverted as we met different people at various canine events. It really made a difference.

As age set in she had a rapid decline in health over the past 2 months as kidney failure set in violently. After a couple of desperate attempts to keep her alive I had to say goodbye to her on April 8th as she passed away in my arms.

I’ve been so used to sharing things with my little buddy for so long that I have to admit I’m really hurt right now. I am trying to continue my work duties and taking care of my parents as they are getting older. I thank God that I am so fortunate to have such good Parents and it’s a blessing to look out for them now. But I feel like “my light” is dimmed and I’m having a hard time getting back on track.

I know God is there for me in all of this, and I thank God every day for guiding me towards converting towards Catholicism. I just selfishly wish that this process of dealing with loss wasn’t so painful.

Thank you for your time and for letting me express myself. May God Bless all of you.
Click to expand...
The loss of a loved one, whether a human or an animal, is always a difficult challenge to get over. I’ve had my share of loss, as I’m sure many others have. It takes time; it takes prayer; it takes socializing with and helping those you care about in your life now; it takes involving yourself in your work, hobbies, and pleasures in your daily life; it takes cherishing the memories you have with your loved one. After a while (there are no timetables), the pain will begin to subside and perhaps you will one day adopt another loving dog who needs you, or even a cat. Meanwhile, you must go through the grief process until you are able to move on. My prayers are with you.
 
Hello.

I couldn’t speak the name of one of my dogs after his loss for several years. I also got sick and required 3 different kinds of antibiotics for 3 different inflammations I got simultaneously during this time. You are in my prayers.

Placing you in the enclosed garden of the most sacred heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
 
Andrew, I’m so sorry. You are probably not ready to get another dog yet, but can you find a way to get “fur time” in by fostering for a local shelter? I don’t have a dog myself, but I can imagine getting one, if I ever have to live alone.
 
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