Every day I think about that one dreaded day

[GermanGuy]

I love my boy so much, he helped me emotionally through the roughest times, but he's turning 8 next month and while he's in perfect health I'm so afraid of the day to say goodbye. I hope he will have a long and happy life but I can't suppress these sad thoughts. How do you deal with this?

 

[Andre]

I completely understand this feeling, it’s never easy to let them go. What helps me is remembering that they blessed me during the time they were here, however long that was. I try to appreciate every moment, the quiet ones, the exciting ones, even the sad ones. It’s better to have shared those memories and good times than to never have had them at all. Plus, it also feels good to know that we gave it our all in giving them the best life possible.

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[Brend83]

I’ve been there with having to stay goodbye with all but my current shepherds who are still living…it’s NEVER easy and it always hurts like you’ve never felt pain before. What I can say looking back over the years is it’s like my dogs that passed sent me the next one. I have always found that a situation happened or a GSD needed a home and I was able to bring a new dog in. I’ve had rescues and brought them up from puppies but they’ve always come into my life at the right time and have all been great dogs. The sad thing is that we always outlive them and goodbyes have to happen, but it allows you to open your heart to another. I lost my Haley the day after Christmas 2024 without warning from DKA and that one was hard. She was only 9 and I’ve never had one younger than 12 pass. She was still a puppy in every way. We just got a new puppy (Callie) a few weeks ago and, again, totally unplanned the opportunity presented itself. So even though my theory may sound strange…it keeps proving itself. And my male who’s about to be 11 is now out of the depression he’s been in since Haley died and is playing and romping with the new baby again.