LogFAQs > #925380599

ParanoidObsessive posted...

The callous answer is to get a new dog. It sounds horrible, especially when the wounds are still fresh, but it's one of the most common and most effective means of coping with the loss.

You won't really "forget" your old dog, but the love of a new dog will still fill your heart, help you make new happy memories rather than just dwelling on the past, and will be there to help cheer you up when you have down moments. It's pretty much the best therapy you can get to cope with the loss of a beloved pet.

Pretty much. A large chunk of the grief that comes with people losing something comes from how accustomed they are to having that thing in their lives and how much changes with that thing gone. You come home, no dog to greet you. You go to bed, no dog trying to snuggle with you. You make your dinner, there's no dog to feed. You notice it's a nice day for a walk, but there's no dog to walk. Those disruptions to your routine are very hard to ignore, and as soon as you notice them, you're reminded of how much you miss Ernie and how sad you are. Get a new dog, and you certainly won't stop missing Ernie or being sad, but you'll fill the void in your daily routine such that you won't be constantly reminded that he's gone. That does a lot to help you be sad on your own terms, instead of having it forced on you several times a day.
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