The death of a dog is a hard reality all dog owners eventually face, and the sense of loss can be overwhelming. Each of us handles mourning differently; the most important thing to do is allow yourself to grieve.

Don't put a limit on how long it should last. Just make sure to go through the grief, so you are able to move on. If it is especially painful, put away the bed, toys and pictures of your dog while you go through that mourning period. Often having these reminders around makes it harder to move on.

Be aware that your grief will affect the other pets in your home. If you are still in mourning, you may block them from being able to move on also.

Do not bring another animal into your life until you have completed the mourning process. When you are grieving, you may not be able to display consistent calm-assertive energy in order to establish yourself as the pack leader. If you adopt a new dog, that animal won’t know you’re grieving for somebody who has passed away. All he will know is that you are in a weaker state than him. This is not what’s best for the new dog.

When you do feel ready to bring a new dog into your life, you must treat her as just that – a new dog. Often, people want their new dog to be the same as their old dog. They feel so much pain that they try to heal the wound with this new companion. Do not try to make that dog anything other than who she is; this is not fair to her – or to you.

Most importantly, understand that you are the only one who has any control over when to let go, become happy, rescue a dog and start all over again.

If you need help coping with your pet’s loss, seek support from family and friends who will take the time to listen. If you have trouble finding someone close to you who understands your loss or the extent of your grief, please seek help from a professional counselor or psychologist.

For more information, please visit:
The Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement, Inc.
American Veterinary Medical Association: Pet Loss Support Hotlines