Mister Molson before crossing the Rainbow Bridge
While I’m certainly no expert on this subject, I have felt the pain of losing a dog. I had to put down my dog, my best friend, my hiking buddy, and member of my family on August 14th, 2017. Mister Molson’s void is still in my heart. Time has helped me accept it, but I still think about him everyday. When I look at pictures I still break down sometimes. Many people have supported me through the grieving process and gave me words of wisdom and memorial items to help. For this reason, I have compiled a list of quotes and gift ideas for someone coping with the loss of a beloved dog that helped me through. Hopefully, these help someone cope with the loss of their dog.
Powerful quotes that helped me
“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal.” – From an Irish Headstone
“Not the least hard thing to bear when they go from us, these quiet friends, is that they carry away with them so many years of our own lives.” – John Galsworthy
“Dogs…do not ruin their sleep worrying about how to keep the objects they have, and to obtain the objects they have not. There is nothing of value they have to bequeath except their love and their faith.” – Eugene O’Neill, from his Dalmatian, Blemie’s, last will and testament
“I have sometimes thought of the final cause of dogs having such short lives and I am quite satisfied it is in compassion to the human race; for if we suffer so much in losing a dog after an acquaintance of ten or twelve years, what would it be if they were to live double that time? The misery of keeping a dog is his dying so soon. But, to be sure, if he lived for fifty years and then died, what would become of me?” – Sir Walter Scott
“Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.” – Dr. Seuss
All animals, except man, know that the principal business of life is to enjoy it. – Samuel Butler
Poetry for grieving hearts
The Last Battle
Mister Molson’s Last Picture
If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done,
For this — the last battle — can’t be won.
You will be sad I understand,
But don’t let grief then stay your hand,
For on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship must stand the test.
We have had so many happy years,
You wouldn’t want me to suffer so.
When the time comes, please, let me go.
Take me to where to my needs they’ll tend,
Only, stay with me till the end
And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you will agree
It is a kindness you do to me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.
Don’t grieve that it must be you
Who has to decide this thing to do;
We’ve been so close — we two — these years,
Don’t let your heart hold any tears.
— Unknown
Tribute to a Best Friend
Sunlight streams through window pane onto a spot on the floor…..
then I remember,
it’s where you used to lie, but now you are no more.
Our feet walk down a hall of carpet, and muted echoes sound…..
then I remember,
it’s where your paws would joyously abound.
A voice is heard along the road, and up beyond the hill,
then I remember,
it can’t be yours….. your golden voice is still.
But I’ll take that vacant spot of floor and empty muted hall,
and lay them with the absent voice and unused dish along the wall.
I’ll wrap these treasured memories in a blanket of my love,
and keep them for my best friend until we meet above.
~Author Unknown
Treasured Friend
I lost a treasured friend today
The little dog who used to lay
Her gentle head upon my knee
And shared her silent thoughts with me.
She’ll come no longer to my call
Retrieve no more her favourite ball
A voice far greater than my own
Has called her to his golden throne.
Although my eyes are filled with tears
I thank him for the happy years
He let her spend down here with me
And for her love and loyalty.
When it is time for me to go
And join her there, this much I know
I shall not fear the transient dark
For she will greet me with a bark.
~Author Unknown
A paw print picture frame
A necklace
My Aunt gave me one of these and it meant a lot to me.
There are many different kinds that can symbolize each relationship.
Something for outside
A Personalized Book
A Stuffed Animal of the same breed
This is so beautiful… I’ve never had a dog, but I have three cats who are five years old now… they are like my kids as I have them since the day they were born and when I think I’m gonna lose them one day, it’s just too much to even think about it… so not sure how I’m gonna cope when that day comes, but meanwhile I’m trying to not think about it and give them as much love as possible and to make sure they are happy. People who don’t have pets often don’t understand… they are true friends, true family.. xx
Thanks Monika. They certainly become part of the family. I was a wreck for awhile and still get choked up some days. For all of the pain at losing them, they are worth it for all the love they give.
Beautiful thoughts. I lost a 10 year old cat almost two years ago and it was devastating. It’s always good to find other people who understand how pets become part of the family.