So sorry to hear your news. Been there, suffered it too often.. Only lasted a few weeks until we succumbed to another rescue dog. At the moment, we have three collies, aged from 16 to 2, yes, we'll have it all again soon - we know - but wouldn't change anything!
I'm so very sorry to hear of your loss. Give yourself some time to grieve and remember your beloved dog. But I'm with everyone else - get another when you're ready. You sound as though you enjoy the outdoor life and I understand the pain you have, when you go out for walks etc. Last year, we got our first family puppy and we had to give him back to the breeder. It was heartbreaking, but it coincided with a time in our lives when a family member took very ill and I had a nervous breakdown (which, looking back, I should have known was coming). We live near the coast and enjoy our days out and everywhere we went - DOGS. It was awful and made me so upset.
I'm much stronger now and we rescued a 4 year-old greyhound 2 weeks ago. I cannot recommend this more to you. He is a loving, gentle, easy dog and really enjoys being out and about (except in the rain!) but also sleeps for ages in the house - very relaxing.
He was going to be put to sleep and had been in a couple of foster homes. So it feels good to have given him his forever home.
There are loads of greyhound rescues, with greys looking for someone like you who will give them a loving home.
I'm so sorry what a terrible loss for you - we love our dog so much I'm sure it's unhealthy . Nothing anyone can say will make you feel better but eventually time and perhaps - at some point - another dog . In the meantime enjoy the things you can do with dogs - long lunches , museums , art galleries , shows , concerts ?? To be honest tho if your grieving there is no short cut so take tissues and wine and happy memories xxxx hugs xxx
It's strange but since we lost Ollie who was 15 and in the same way two years ago, (on the worst day of my life, bar none), neither of us have been bothered about dragging the van out of storage.
Only used it once since but now reading your post I think it's obvious why? he loved it more than we did!! We could not mention the word Caravan and just van was bad enough, but one mention of caravan and he would not settle for days, had to spell it mostly!
Very sorry for your sad news.
First I think get another dog . If you love dogs get another one.
We don't have a dog and don't want one. However my sister does she is on her own . And stores her van now. We go with her once or twice a year but notice how tied she is. She can't go out to town for the day and rain or shine she has to walk the dog. Her van is covered in throws and mats just for the dog. ( he is very big ) she just can't go any where. She doesn't drive so can only go on short bus trips..
It's like a child that never grows up. Yet lovely company .
I know not all dogs are like this but hers is .
I think just get another one . If not a puppy then a rescue .
I know lots of people wh have dogs then can't cope so need to rehouse them ask at your vets.
Good luck.
With every dog I've lost I've cried,(grown man) but I carried on and had others,I've named them all after a dog I lost years ago,it helps to keep those special memories alive.I now have two young dogs(not with the same name)these will be my last as I am getting too old to exercise them every day,and they may well outlive me,although I hope not.
So,as the others have said,after some time has passed,consider another dog,I'm sure you wont regret it,(I never have) and enjoy old and new memories of your companionship.
We too are on our last dogs. Great companions, but we are now getting too old to exercise them properly and in ten or so years time when it is their time, well we will be passed the stage of taking on any more.
Our lives have been immeasurably enhanced by the dogs we have had and a dog-less life would have been a very depressing one indeed.
Sorry for your loss.
We nearly lost our dog a couple of years ago with a burst ulcer so know how you feel. He had to go to an animal hospital in Solihull otherwise we would have lost him. Cost us £7K to fix him, thank god for insurance. He is a laid back lazy very loving greyhound who asks for very little but gives so much love. Should you decide to to take on another friend I really do recommend a greyhound see the website http://www.retiredgreyhounds.co.uk/ they have so much grief when racing - he rarely barks. They need very little exercise - ok they are big and can take up room but our Sid sleeps in the awning in his bed with a very large cont quilt. Sorry if I seem pushey but they need a loving home
------------- A barman is just a pharmacist
with a limited inventory
Chalkie56 - I couldn't agree more! As you'll see from my previous post, I've had a retired rescue greyhound for nearly 3 weeks and he is wonderful. You're right - they ask little and give a lot. They are big, yes - but not bulky, so they don't take up too much room at all. Mine seems to think he's a little dog, judging by the way he seems to want to squeeze between us on the sofa!
You have our deepest sympathy. Lost our Border Collie last Monday,He was 16 1/2,still on a guilt trip about taking him on His final trip to the vets,but it had to be done.Blubbing like a baby for 3 days,house is empty and dead.Bought Him home and He's in the back garden now. The same garden He ran around like a maniac in His younger days.
He loved coming away with us,knew when we were getting ready to go,used to sit waiting patiently whilst we hooked up.Never forgot a dog walk,dont know how we'll cope without him.The only time He didnt come with us is when we go to France in the summer .When we got home He would greet us and then sulk like a trrooper for 2 or 3 days.
Our initial thought was not to have another,but I think we will SHMBO has told me so.
Give a good home to another dog, you will not regret it, the dog will love you unconditionally.
My 2 staffies love the caravan and all the long walks that go with it
We have had dogs for years and only managed 4 weeks without one when ours died at a ripe old age.
However much we love them we do also like to take holidays without them, depending on the type of holiday.
We then find ourselves saying 'oh well the dogs wouldnt' have enjoyed this, or we couldn't have done this with the dogs.'
If you tried city breaks or places that are totally unsuitable for doggies it may help, then when the time is right you may find your new special friend is waiting for you.
When my last dog died, it took me from the November in 2006 to the February 2007 before I actually rehomed another rescue bull terrier. I turned down two before I adopted Harvey and can honestly say he made my life complete again and when I look back I am sorry I waited as long as I did to get another one.
Of course your loss is still too current for you to even contemplate taking another dog on and also its that business of getting a new dog used to a caravan, when your precious old dog no doubt treated it like a second home.
One day, you will know when the time is right to get another dog, and I would also ask that you consider a rescue dog they really do have so much to give. You can also foster dogs if you don't want to commit to owning again and a visit to your local dog home may make you possibly think about going down this route.
In the meantime, reflect on your lovely memories and the precious times that you shared xxx
Quote: Originally posted by Boston600 on 26/1/2014Yesterday was a very sad day because I had to put my dog to sleep.
He enjoyed many camping and caravan trips which were mainly centred around him.
My problem now is that I can't imagine going away in the van without him.
I would love to know of some none doggy things we can do when we go away. Usually we would all go walking or to the beach.
Hi Boston600 We also lost our Parson Jack Russell Terrier he was 15 years + on Saturday 25th January he died in his sleep.
We brought another he is a Parson Jack Russell Short Leg a red and white male pup , he been with us less then 48hrs i think you find it will ease your pain
Our old dog was called Sam (So the new dog name is Sammy)
But i hope you decide what we found we had to do ..
Our old Dalmatian, Pudding, was the sole reason for us buying a tourer. She didn't do well in kennels & OH & I like to go away for about a month in the summer and putting her in kennels as she got older simply wasn't fair, so we bought a caravan to take her with us.
We'd been to the Gower a couple of times and had many slow wanders along the beach with her. She adored the beach and would go from a 10 year old dog back to a puppy as soon as she felt the sand on her paws. Then the old bugger went and died 5 weeks before we left for France and left us devastated.
I said at the time that I didn't want another dog for at least a year, but the house was so empty without her and having had a dog in the caravan, it felt odd without one. So collected our new pup, Blodwyn (another dalmatian, but this time a liver spot rather than a black spot) a week after we got home.
This year, she is coming with us to Normany and Brittany.
------------- Doing whatever the rice krispies tell me to.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: caravaning WITHOUT a dog
. Nothing anyone can say will make you feel better but eventually time and perhaps - at some point - another dog . In the meantime enjoy the things you can do with dogs - long lunches , museums , art galleries , shows , concerts ?? To be honest tho if your grieving there is no short cut so take tissues and wine and happy memories xxxx hugs xxx
