What to say when your dog dies...

If love would have kept you alive, you'd have lived forever.

We all tend to think that if something is complex, it is bound to be better than something that is simple. Most of us would rather listen to 2 Steps From Hell than a banjo. Dogs and music have a lot in common that way. A good one never lasts long enough.

Maybe little paws left a hole in your heart. Maybe it was a 135 pounds of slobbery love for 11 years. It hurts the same when the one you love is gone.

We are not a bunch of psychologists, so take this advice with a swig of Pepto. These are just our thoughts.  

When YOu Are Wondering What to Say

We all process and grieve in different ways. If work/school gets you through, that's OK. Maybe it's talking it out that helps the healing. Maybe you need some alone time. Don't let anybody tell you how you have to be, or that you need to get over it because it was "just a dog."

Check in on friends. Support is a special gift and it's OK to accept it. 

"How are you doing?" It's OK to not be OK yet.

​Go for a walk. 

Laugh about memories. A very smart lady told me that "The reasons you love them will be the same reasons that drive you crazy." Like I said, she is very smart. Take time to share good dog stories.

Even the moments when you reacted like a mentally unstable loony for feats, which to a normal person, might have appeared to be just peeing outside. 

Go for another walk.

​"If you need anything, I'm here." Be available early or late. Broken hearts don't keep easy hours.

Don't waste time feeling guilty that you had to put them down. Try to put your energy into moving forward. 

Now is a good time for a walk. 

"Let's do something." The world can't go back to the way it was before. It can go forward. 

Hugs from all of us for the happy memories and heartache we all struggle to process.