Losing A Dog

I'm afraid it's not going to be much of an issue today. I've been sitting at my keyboard trying to say something upbeat but no matter how hard I try it just isn't working.

Why?

I've just lost my young bitch. She suddenly died completely out of the blue. She was only three and a half years old and it's come as a real body blow.

I'd got today's issue all planned out, but I'm afraid I'm just numb at the moment.

I haven't had to deal with the loss of a dog for years. I'd forgotten how painful an experience it is. I'm trying to console myself with the fact that although her life was short she managed to pack in plenty of fun times.

She adored swimming and her favourite game was playing about in the white water below a waterfall on our local river. I'm holding that picture of her in my head as I write these words.

My five year old daughter was dreadfully upset and is at the age where she's trying to understand the concept of death. I explained to her that all living things have to die at some point, and that when you get a new puppy you _know_ that one day it's going to die, and one day you're going to have to deal with the grief that ensues.

"But", I told her, "even though we know they're going to die that still doesn't stop us getting them in the first place. The joy and pleasure they bring into our lives far outweighs the sadness and tears caused by their death."

I sincerely believe that to be true. Although I've cried buckets since it happened I don't regret having had her. And although I'm certainly nowhere near ready to take on a new dog I know that at some point I will. I shan't allow the pain of losing my beloved Ripple to get in the way of my future love for dogs yet to be born.

I know of people who've lost a dog then vowed never to have another because they can't bear to go through the grief of loss again. I can understand why they say that, but that's not my way.

If you've had the misfortune to lose a dog recently my heart goes out to you.

If you've not yet found yourself in that situation I hope my own philosophy I've just outlined will help you to get through it when that inevitable moment arrives.

Recommended reading "Dog Training Blueprint To Success".

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