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Pet Bereavement: Nine things I learned after losing my dog Daisy

The bond we share with our pets is so strong and every owner’s worst fear is losing their furry friend

A study by the Co-op found more than a quarter of owners saw pet bereavement as difficult to cope with as losing a family member and a third equated it to the loss of a friend.
In April I said goodbye to my lovely girl Daisy who had been by my side for nine years. I wanted time to stand still that day, to cuddle her forever.
The last three months have been tough, but we are so thankful for the incredible support and love we have been shown to help us through.
I started this blog for many reasons, including helping owners through different experiences and inevitably, pet bereavement is one of them.

Today (July 5th) is Pet Remembrance Day so I thought I’d share the things I’d learned since losing Daisy.

1. It’s ok to cry

The Co-op research found half of those who lost a pet were still grieving two months later and 16 per cent struggled for a year (that’ll be me).
I’m very much an open book when it comes to emotions and if I need to cry there is no stopping me. Thankfully I work from home so I was free to bawl any time I wanted.
But Shona McLean, from All Ears Pet Bereavement Counselling, says many owners, particularly men, feel silly showing their feelings.
She said: “Sometimes people worry about talking to their partner or children or in her case, grandchildren, but they are all animal lovers and will want to help. Bottling things up can lead to problems further down the line so it’s best to let it out.”

2. And it’s ok to show you’re upset to others

My boyfriend Tommy had to tell his two daughters Hannah and Millie that Daisy had been very poorly and was tired so we helped her go to sleep so she didn’t have to suffer.
They adored her and understandably were heartbroken and miss her so much. Helping children understand a pet passing away is difficult and I worried about being emotional in front of them.
So I spoke to a counsellor friend and she explained that it’s healthy to show your feelings in front of children so they learn that we need to ‘feel’ sadness and express ourselves.

3. Writing down your feelings can be easier than saying them (Image: Pinterest)

Talking doesn’t come naturally to everyone. Writing down what you’re experiencing can be helpful.
We were fortunate in that we knew when we were going to lose Daisy as she was put to sleep, so we were able to say our goodbyes.
Pets can die suddenly and if that’s the case, then you don’t have chance. But, whatever the circumstances, you can write a letter to them and tell them what you’d like to say.
Bake Off presenter Sue Perkins wrote a beautiful letter after losing her Beagle Pickle and you can read it her on the Scribd blogging platform and you can read it here.

4. Getting out in the fresh air helps

Even though Daisy was old and slowed down in the final months, she still enjoyed going for walks, just at a gentler pace.
At first, I couldn’t face going to the places where we’d been so many times together, seeing the other dogs and her not being with me.
But getting out in the fresh air means you get the 20 minutes recommended exercise each day which is good for your physical and mental health too.
Shona says: “Self care is important too, so ensure you get enough sleep, eat well and get out in the fresh air as you did with your dog.”

5. Dogs have lots of Doppelgangers!

Princess peanut head #dogsofinstagram

A post shared by (@kirsty_mcerlain) on

Happy #tongueouttuesday everyone! This is me on Runswick Bay beach on my holidays . . . . #runswickbay #staycation #rescuedogsofinstagram #dogsofinsta #terrier #terriersofinstagram #terriermix #cutedog #seniordog #seniordogsrule

A post shared by The Paw Post (@thepawpostuk) on

In nine years of having Daisy, I very rarely saw a dog who looked like her, apart from Penny who we found on Instagram who I am sure is one of her sisters.
You can see the similarity in the photos above – huge thanks to her owner Kirsty for being so lovely and sympathetic as I am always first to comment whenever she shares a photo of her.
Now, everywhere I go I see dogs who look just like her. The first weekend after we lost her, a double for Daisy popped up at the next table when we were out having dinner.
A few weeks later we saw a Daisy lookalike being carried down steps to a beer garden – we did the same in her final months too.
At first, I’d burst into tears, but now I try to compose myself and tell myself it’s her coming to see us.

6. You can’t replace them but another dog eases the heartache

After losing Daisy, I spoke with an old work friend who said it made him feel angry when people asked when he was going to get a new dog after losing his dog Charlie.
“I was livid. I thought they were saying he was replaceable,” he said. “We lasted a few months and then we got Duke. I realise now why people said it and it was the best decision we made.
“It was a welcome distraction. When we started seeing Charlie’s traits in Duke it felt like he was living on in some way.”
For some, caring for another pet is a way of dealing with grief. A survey by homesitters.co.uk found a fifth looked after other pets because it had been so upsetting losing a pet that they couldn’t have one of their own.
We’re not ready yet but I know in time there will be another dog to fill the Daisy shaped hole in our lives.

7. Treasure every day you shared

I was lucky working from home that I got to spend a lot of time with Daisy.
In her final few weeks I pretty much gave up work to enjoy time with her as she’d recently been diagnosed with Dementia and I wanted to comfort her as much as I could.
We’d just moved to Newcastle and one of my friends Jane said to me: “Why don’t you take a month or so off work and help her settle in?”
I’m so glad she did – she didn’t know what was around the corner and nor did we. We went for nice walks, trips to the beach and I made sure someone was always with her making a fuss of her.
Even though I didn’t know she was nearing the end of her life, I’m so glad I was able to be there for her.

8. The painful memories fade and are replaced with fun ones! © Les Wilson 

Losing a pet is traumatic. I’m really thankful that Daisy going was so calm and peaceful, but I felt so many emotions. Shock, pain, guilt, anger, fear about what life will be like without her.
I wanted to turn back time and just be with her. At first, all I could think about was the end and the final days of being really frightened of someone horrible happening to her.
But as the weeks passed, those painful memories began to fade. Instead, the funny things she did and the happy times we shared – like the personal shop she had with Pet London – one of my fave photos of her – came into my mind more.

9. You’ll always be a crazy dog person

You still smile inanely at dogs as you did when you had them with you, then feel like a crazy dog lady because they’re not there.
I find myself beaming and saying ‘hello’ to dogs of all shapes and sizes when walking around the park on my own.
We looked after a friend’s dog Ziggy shortly after Daisy died. At first it felt strange – I felt sad it wasn’t her and even slightly guilty.
Ziggy is a lovely, friendly young dog, and like Daisy went bonkers at reflections and shadows. Recognising her traits in him, even though he’s a big bouncy Sproodle and she was a little terrier, helped us remember her.
Seeing a wagging tail and waking to the patter of paws every morning reassures me I need to give another rescue dog a second chance, and it’s what Daisy would have wanted too.

If you’d like to understand more about pet bereavement, you might like to read How losing her dog inspired Shona McLean to become a pet bereavement counsellor or Saying goodbye to our gorgeous girl Daisy.

4 Responses

  1. Hi Rachel, how are you?

    Let me introduce myself, this is Raul from Mexico city and I want to apologize if case some of my writing has some flaws

    I’ve been reading some of your articles because my wife and I on January 1st, 2021 lost our four legged daughter called Layla, she was Maltese with only six and a half years old! She had leptospirosis and everything was quite sudden, in less than 24 hours she got really sick and die, from the December 31st, 2020 at noon to January 1st, 2021 at 9 AM

    We are still sad and a little depressed tough we know we have to move and carry on, it’s so hard!

    The story of Daisy made us cry ( Again ) and maybe like you needed back in time, we are looking for comfort ! We know the lost of a dog sometimes it’s harder than losing a friend or a relative but this hurts so much

    We know that anything will replace Layla but we have read or seen in videos that people used to adopt another dog but we are not ready yet, at least I’m not ready but I was wondering, after almost three years of Daisy departure, have you adopted another dog??

    Many thanks in advance

    1. Hi Raul,

      Thank you so much for your message and I am really sorry to hear about Layla, it is heartbreaking to say goodbye isn’t it?

      Even though you are doing the kindest thing, it’s the hardest thing.

      Take some time to process losing Layla and you will know when you are ready.

      With Daisy, we lost her in April, and we felt ready after a few months to welcome another dog into our lives and hearts.

      I know it is what Daisy would have wanted too. We adopted Patch the following August, so four months, but different people feel ready at different times.

      I hope that helps and sorry for making you cry.

      Take care,

      Rachel

  2. Hi Rachel – I enjoyed reading your story as I lost my beloved “Riggs” -!who was with me for over 15 years – in March of this year. I cried my eyes out. He was the funniest, smartest little dog (Cockapoo), and he gave us so many wonderful years of unconditional love, and laughter. He was so full of character. I would have given anything to hear him talk…to know what he was thinking. I’m sure he would have had a LOT to say. Lol
    I knew from experience (I lost my Border Collie of 15 years prior to getting Riggs) that getting another dog was what I needed. When I lost Dakota (my first dog), I cried for days, and then occasionally after that. Then, I came across Riggs one month after. He looked just like her, and I felt like it was some kind of sign. I brought him home, and that little guy just healed my broken heart. As before – one month later – I brought JAX home. He has similar personality traits to Riggs, and he has also helped to heal my heart. I still think about Riggs every day. And I miss my little guy – but, I have new purpose with a puppy around. And. He’s another Border Collie. Kind of looks like a cross between Dakota & Riggs. Lol. Anyway – your heart will heal in time. Everyone grieves differently, and in different time frames. I know that your next dog will bring you much joy & will be very loved. Daisy was a lucky dog to have been loved so much. ❤️

    1. Aw Gerianne thank you so much for this and I’m sorry for making you cry. We have Patch and you’re right he is so loved, I am even more of a crazy dog lady with him having lost Daisy. Thank you for sharing your lovely story about Riggs and he will be looking down on you and Jax I am sure and knowing all that love he had is being given to another dog (of course you still love him and Dakota but you know what I mean) THank you for taking the time to comment and share your story. xx

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