I feel a bit silly writing about this but I'm doing it anyway. I realize not many people will understand how this can be important or a big deal. But I think some will.
My soul dog died on August 12, 2019.* She was more special than can ever be expressed and I know I will never get over the loss. But part of what's helped me cope is the things I did for/with her before and when she passed, as well as in the 3 years since. It helps keep at least some part of her with me even if she isn't here physically.
Before she passed, her mobility was very limited but we carried her places she liked the most, like water (she was part labrador after all), we had a picnic in the park so my/her friends could say their goodbyes, took her for rides & I sat in the back seat with her on my lap so she could do what she'd loved to do all her life - stick her head out the window and sniff, we played ball with her on the ground because she couldn't fetch anymore, I slept on the floor with her for the last month of her life, etc
Even though it cost more than I could afford at the time, I found a vet who agreed to do the euthanasia in a park, in a quiet spot under a tall tree. Ashes don't really mean anything to me personally, but I used black paint to get her footprints, which I got framed and are now hanging on my wall, next to a picture of her smiling. In the days after her death, I went through the hundreds of pictures and videos I had that were stored in different places so I could reorganize them, and save them in the same place. Of course, it was a way to go through all the great memories and after I was done, I made a memorial video montage.
When she passed, I knew it was out of the question that I would get a puppy and 'replace' her, as some well-meaning but completely clueless people had suggested. But I would feel like I'm betraying my dog. I don't feel like it would help because I was missing MY dog, not a dog or any dog. But as she got older, I developed a soft spot for senior dogs and when I was feeling really isolated during the pandemic, I missed the presence of a dog. Through coincidence, I ended up adopting an 11 year old senior dog who was at risk of being euthanized. I did it in honour of my girl.
I'm trying to think of a way to memorialize or honour her for the 'anniversary' of her departure. Except I'm at a loss and it's soon. They say it's important when grieving. I know it's a little silly but.. Have you ever done something to memorialize and honour someone you lost, or heard of someone else doing this? Any ideas for me?
*correction: I'm super bad with dates & a friend confused me by saying it was the 12th when it was, in fact, the 8th of August 2019. Doh.
My soul dog died on August 12, 2019.* She was more special than can ever be expressed and I know I will never get over the loss. But part of what's helped me cope is the things I did for/with her before and when she passed, as well as in the 3 years since. It helps keep at least some part of her with me even if she isn't here physically.
Before she passed, her mobility was very limited but we carried her places she liked the most, like water (she was part labrador after all), we had a picnic in the park so my/her friends could say their goodbyes, took her for rides & I sat in the back seat with her on my lap so she could do what she'd loved to do all her life - stick her head out the window and sniff, we played ball with her on the ground because she couldn't fetch anymore, I slept on the floor with her for the last month of her life, etc
Even though it cost more than I could afford at the time, I found a vet who agreed to do the euthanasia in a park, in a quiet spot under a tall tree. Ashes don't really mean anything to me personally, but I used black paint to get her footprints, which I got framed and are now hanging on my wall, next to a picture of her smiling. In the days after her death, I went through the hundreds of pictures and videos I had that were stored in different places so I could reorganize them, and save them in the same place. Of course, it was a way to go through all the great memories and after I was done, I made a memorial video montage.
When she passed, I knew it was out of the question that I would get a puppy and 'replace' her, as some well-meaning but completely clueless people had suggested. But I would feel like I'm betraying my dog. I don't feel like it would help because I was missing MY dog, not a dog or any dog. But as she got older, I developed a soft spot for senior dogs and when I was feeling really isolated during the pandemic, I missed the presence of a dog. Through coincidence, I ended up adopting an 11 year old senior dog who was at risk of being euthanized. I did it in honour of my girl.
I'm trying to think of a way to memorialize or honour her for the 'anniversary' of her departure. Except I'm at a loss and it's soon. They say it's important when grieving. I know it's a little silly but.. Have you ever done something to memorialize and honour someone you lost, or heard of someone else doing this? Any ideas for me?
*correction: I'm super bad with dates & a friend confused me by saying it was the 12th when it was, in fact, the 8th of August 2019. Doh.
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