“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal. Love leaves a memory no one can steal.”
1. Dealing With Grief
1.) Listening to songs about dogs dying
2.) Reading Rainbow Bridge poems for dogs
3.) Dog Memorial Tattoo
4.) Prayer For Dying Dog
5.) Turn Your Dog’s Ashes Into Jewelry
2. Saying Goodbye To Your Dog Poem
- If you plan to avail a funeral service for your dog or a simple farewell ceremony, you may choose a poem that will describe the special love between you and your dog, and then you can read it at the beginning of the ceremony or ask someone to read it if you aren’t able to.
- If you would like a more private and solemn way to lay your dog to rest, you may write your own poem or look for a poem that can represent how you feel and then handwrite or print it. You may also choose a picture of your dog and attach your chosen poem beside your dog’s image to make it look more personalized. You can place it in a picture frame.
- If you plan to bury your dog, you may choose a short poem as an epitaph and have it engraved on your dog’s tombstone.
- If you have decided to have your dog’s remains cremated, you may display your framed poem beside your dog’s urn as a way to remember your dog.
3. Goodbye Message To Your Dog
Coming to terms with the death of a beloved dog and the grief that it brings is tough. While some dog owners are lucky enough to see their dogs die due to old age, some are suffering because they either have no choice but to euthanize their dogs or worst their dogs died unexpectedly. Not only do dog owners need to go through misery but also need to find closure. Writing a goodbye message to your dog can help you cope with the devastation that you are feeling. It allows you to express words left unspoken and finally move on from unresolved emotions especially with guilt.
Here are tips on how to write a goodbye message to your dog:
- Find a comfortable and quiet place where you can reflect and collect your thoughts.
- Choose a writing medium that you are comfortable using so it won’t hinder the flow of thoughts and words. You may use a pen and paper, tablet, smartphone, computer, or any writing gadget that will not tire your hands easily.
- Look at your dog’s picture so you’ll feel connected and be reminded of your times together.
- You may feel confused about what to say at the beginning but starting with the traditional “ Dear ___,” will do. And everything will go naturally.
- If you are running out of words to say, you can tell your dog exactly how you feel. Don’t feel awkward if it is too intense or not. What’s important is you are able to express how you are feeling at the moment.
- Be patient with yourself. Take your time. Besides, there is no deadline for saying goodbye to your beloved dog.
- Write from the heart. Tell your dog how sorry you are and how much you love him.
- You can tell your dog what was it you never said or wish you did with him. Or you can also write about your dog’s happiest memory or how you felt when saw him suffering from sickness.
- A lot of dog owners feel guilty about not being able to do something to stop or delay their dog’s death. If you feel the same way, then tell your dog about those feelings of guilt. Your dog might not know how to read your message but your future self will thank you for making the right decision at that time.
- Tell your dog it’s okay to go while assuring that you will never forget about him. It might sound simple but these words will also help you accept the reality and finally learn to live with your dog’s memories.
- When you are done writing the message, you may want to hide it or keep it. Or you may want to burn it together with your dog’s remains as you let go. Or bury it in your dog’s grave.
4. Final Thoughts
They say death is like a thief in the night. No one knows the day or the hour. When you try to repress your emotions due to the death of your dog, you are bound to suffer physically and mentally. Grieving is an individual experience. It may take a few days for some but it will take years for others before they can finally accept their dog’s death. There are many ways to express grief and lessen the emotional burden that you are carrying. You can try whichever will suit your personality and circumstances. One of the easiest yet effective ways is saying goodbye message to your dog. The act of writing itself can and putting your feelings on a paper is like having a conversation with your own dog. It releases you from the emotional shackle that you are bound with while allowing you to express your feelings without the fear of being judged.
If you are in deep sadness like the world is getting darker every day, do not hesitate to talk to someone who is close to you. You may also ask for help from the experts. Just hang in there.