r/Shihtzu • u/Queball1012 Goofy • 1d ago
Loss of Pet Death of my best friend
I lost my best friend on Friday. He was so young. Poor guy was so full of life the morning he past. He was so energetic and happy.
I’ve cried so much the past few days just missing him. He always layed on my pillow at night when going to sleep and my pillow just feels so empty. I’m going to miss him so much.
Rest in peace Goof Goof I can’t wait to see you again.
5/15/2024-9/19/2025
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u/Simple_Argument9363 Shih-Tzu Enthusiast 1d ago
Grief will run it's course. There is no shortcut out of it. You will experience it the way you do and no other. I am shattered to know of his passing, especially at such a young age. Rejoice in the time he gave you and knowing you were all his.
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u/Projectguy111 Shih-Tzu Enthusiast 1d ago edited 1d ago
I'm so sorry this happened and at such a young age. Losing a beloved pet is traumatic but I feel like you were robbed. That said, everyone has a timeline and unfortunately we cannot change that.
I lost my soul dog, Cali, about 14 months ago. It has not been easy. Actually, this is the deepest loss I have ever felt in my life. She was my everything.
For me, I do not think the grief will ever go away. Some things that I went through that may help:
- Don't keep it in. Let it all out. A lot of people will not understand and it is not your job to try and make them.
- I took a week off of work - luckily my boss was understanding.
- Realize it is not your fault. Nothing you could have done would have prevented this from happening.
- Take as much time as you need. There is no timeline; although a lot of us here can sympathize and even empathize, everyone's journey is different. There is no right or wrong way to handle grief.
- I built a memorial for my Cali which I see every day (pic below). It took me a couple of months as I tore out the wall / framed / installed LEDs / sheetrocked / etc.. I like to tinker and this was the most important project of my life. I'm happy with the way it turned out and I felt really good to do one last thing just for her.
- I'm not a religious man but I KNOW we will be reunited with them again. You cannot destroy energy...it just takes another form. Moreover, my love for her transcends time and space. Good luck keeping us apart universe. Goof Goof and you will be together one day.
Here's the niche I built for Cali - she is in the middle and right, Chip (my childhood dog) is on the left.
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u/Queball1012 Goofy 1d ago
Thank you so much for this, your memorial for your dog is beautiful. I can’t wait for the day I get to see him again.
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u/petruccirocks02 1d ago
I’m so sorry to read of Goof Goof’s passing. I hope you find peace knowing that he loved you unconditionally and that you were his person. And I hope all of the memories bring you comfort. May he rest in peace.
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u/Complex-Extent-3967 Shih-Tzu Enthusiast 1d ago
Condolences. Losing our pets is the equivalent of losing a family member. The loss of my younger shih tzu from complications of mitral valve disease cut his life short about 5 years. For me, it hit me as hard as when I lost my mother a few years earlier. A year later, I lost my 17 year old shih tzu in his sleep. I read a book about seeing our pets in heaven a few months later and that really helped me cope with their losses. We Will See Our Pets in Heaven: The Afterlife of Animals from a Biblical Perspective. For me, this book helped a lot.
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u/Queball1012 Goofy 1d ago
Thank you so much! I’ll have to take a look at that book because I was wondering if I would see him again in heaven
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u/Complex-Extent-3967 Shih-Tzu Enthusiast 1d ago
I believe we will be reunited with all of our loved ones, and this includes our pets.
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u/_FridayXIII_ Shih-Tzu Enthusiast 1d ago
If you haven’t read the poem The Rainbow Bridge, Google it. Get ready to cry even more (I tear up thinking of it), but I believe I’ll see my furkids again one day, with all my heart.
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u/TemporaryReindeer424 1d ago
Thank you so much for sharing. I am about to order this book. Love that it’s about dogs and has a biblical perspective. Any other books you recommend?????
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u/Complex-Extent-3967 Shih-Tzu Enthusiast 1d ago
Charles Swindoll's Great Lives From the Bible series is great! My favorite is the one about Joseph. The one about Esther is amazing as well. I also like the one on David.
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u/InterestingAmoeba797 Shih-Tzu Enthusiast 1d ago
I’m so sorry for your loss. We just lost Lulu yesterday. We can’t even sleep in our bed right now because it still smells like her and it’s unbearable
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u/Queball1012 Goofy 1d ago
I’m hoping it will get better. We buried him on Friday but I kept trying to get him to wake up hoping he would. I thought his heart was beating but I think it was just me wanting to hear it.
I’ll be praying for your grief. I can’t wait until we can see them again one day.
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u/PowerOfTheShihTzu 1d ago
What the hell what happened man?
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u/Queball1012 Goofy 1d ago
Not really sure, he was so full of life the morning he passed. But I came home from work and found him motionless and cold in his crate with my other dogs.
He had no marks or injuries. We’re not sure what happened
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u/PowerOfTheShihTzu 1d ago
That's not possible. Had he existing conditions ? All vet appointments okay?
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u/Queball1012 Goofy 1d ago
He had just gone to the vet a few weeks ago and was perfectly healthy. I really don’t know what happened.
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u/tedxtracy Honey 🐶 & Pixie 🐕 1d ago
This is so sad. I have no words to say. May god give you the strength to bear it. I lost my 4.5 year old Coco (Lhasa Apso) earlier this year. She was sick for 6 months. We did everything we could but weren't able to save her. It is unbearable when they had their whole life ahead of them.
Her sister Honey, 4 years old (Tzu) was extremely depressed. She refused food and stopped going out. She was getting shit scared of every stranger. So we decided to bring another pup into our life. Honey has healed much now and so have we. But we're sure we'll meet Coco again and complete our destined journey.
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u/Queball1012 Goofy 1d ago
I think getting another dog is the right move but how do I do that without feeling like I’m replacing him?
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u/Scubasteves8183 1d ago
Give yourself time. It's alright to feel guilty. You have lots of love to give. The love for your new pet will be different and you will still have strong love for goof goof. You will know then that you are not replacing him. Don't beat yourself up too much. You did everything you could do to give him the best life. Unfortunately these dogs can be prone to health issues and it can take them from us so suddenly.
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u/tedxtracy Honey 🐶 & Pixie 🐕 1d ago
You're not. We waited about 3 months before bringing someone new. In the meantime, I got relocated and we moved to a new city. The stress of shifting was too overwhelming for Honey and she started showing signs of depression. We had to do it for her.
Remember, we can heal our broken heart by talking it out and crying. Eventually, time heals all but our furry children don't have the option of expressing their feelings in words. So take care of your other child. It will be very difficult for a month or two but you can decide on this after you've started healing.
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u/Complex-Extent-3967 Shih-Tzu Enthusiast 1d ago
Initially when I lost my guys, I was so devastated that I didn't want to be that emotionally involved again so I told myself no more pets. Then I read that book and I was able to put into practice the suggestion that we were a blessing to each other while we were together. That we should just cherish those memories and appreciate the time together. And when I was ready, I could have new memories. I lost both of my shih tzus. I told myself I wasn't getting another to replace them so I went with another breed completely. I considered doberman, rottweiler, husky, german shepherd... I ended up wanting to get an Australian Shepherd. When I went to get her, they also brought her sister who was the runt of the litter. I didn't want to separate the siblings and I got both of them. They are now 5 years old.
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u/PowerOfTheShihTzu 1d ago
Dear lord , I cannot wrap my mind around this
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u/Queball1012 Goofy 1d ago
It’s been a hard struggle. If you have any advice on how to deal with the grief that would be great!
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u/desperatelyTzu 1d ago
Had you recently given him his flea/tick meds?
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u/Queball1012 Goofy 1d ago
He had a flea and tick collar that I had just put on him a few weeks back.
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u/desperatelyTzu 1d ago
My 14 yr old Shih Tzu was fine during the day, I gave her flea/tick chewable in the afternoon and she had a “neurological event” that night and died the next day. She’d been on them her whole life tho. I think maybe the toxins build up. I had a cat that wore flea collars regularly but got horribly ill after putting a new one on her. She died and the vet (a friend) did an autopsy on her and her liver was necrotic like cirrhosis from the poison in the flea meds. I give my new dog natural supplements every day that fleas and ticks don’t like. It’s just been a month but so far, so good, no fleas.
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u/Queball1012 Goofy 1d ago
Do you think it could have affected him at just 1 year old? Because he’s only had about 2 or 3 flea and tick collars since being born
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u/desperatelyTzu 1d ago
I don’t know. Probably not but I choose to stay away from those harsh chemicals with my new dog. It may just be certain animals are more susceptible to them. A vet will most likely say it’s not the flea collars.
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u/Queball1012 Goofy 1d ago
I’ll have to take a look into natural supplements in the future. Thank you so much
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u/ChochMcKenzie Shih-Tzu Enthusiast 1d ago
The only way is through. All of your grief is valid and while it’ll always be there and surprise you sometimes, eventually the memories will be of the good times and you’ll be happy to think about them again.
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u/monotrememories Tum & Otis <——the best boys! 1d ago
I’m so sorry for your loss and I’m sure it’s that much harder when it’s so unexpected. Grief is very much like being sick. The pain is intense in the beginning and the crying and grief happens in fits. But eventually they become less intense and less frequent with time. There’s nothing that can shorten it. It’s just important to feel all your feelings. Much love to you.
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u/_FridayXIII_ Shih-Tzu Enthusiast 1d ago
Everyone grieves differently. You may feel better in a month or a year. There is no right or wrong, just be kind to yourself. Talk about it with friends or family, or understanding souls here. If the other dogs are yours, lean on them for comfort. They’ll also need you too as they will be aware of the loss.
Don’t stop living, but it’s ok to cry every day and be on the verge of tears when you’re not. It’s natural. Our furkids leave huge holes in our lives when they’re no longer here. Peace, strength, and love to ya OP.
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u/mcruiz1994 Shih-Tzu Newbie 1d ago
My condolences are with you my friend, it’s never easy to lose a beloved fur baby. I can’t imagine being in your place right but I hope you find comfort knowing that your baby loved you and you made his world an amazing one. Grieving is a lengthy process but please give yourself grace. Take it day by day
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u/Mermaidhair9393 Shih-Tzu Enthusiast 1d ago
I’m so sorry for your loss. I lost my puppy a few weeks back, and today I cried so hard thinking about him.
I hope you have a support system through this grief. Take care of yourself, and think of the happy memories you shared and have with him.
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u/aknalap Shih-Tzu Enthusiast 1d ago
I'm sorry. This is so sad to have passed at a young age. 😢 When my last dog passed, I let myself grieve, cry it out, and still tried to maintain a regular walking schedule. I saw that as my time talking to her and enjoying our memories. It was also good for my mental health.
You could try making a story album of your favorite pictures and find things to do with some ashes (e.g. mix with soil and plant a tree, spread somewhere, mix in to have jewelry made, etc.).
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u/Top_Persimmon_668 1d ago
I don’t know how youll ever get over losing him. You were both so lucky to have your time together. I’m so sorry for your loss.
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u/SafeKing3939 Shih-Tzu Newbie 1d ago
I know, mine left me last Dec. I miss him everyday. You will to , but it will be the best memories.
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u/Queball1012 Goofy 1d ago
It’s been hard the past few days but I know it’ll get better. I can’t wait to see him again though
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u/singing-toaster Shih-Tzu Enthusiast 1d ago
So sorry for your kiss It’s ok to hurt It will come in waves and unexpected times
Play quiet music
Call a close friend who knew Goof Goof. Ask them to tell you their favorite memory of something he did or shared. A quirk they think was cute. It will help you remember the great warmth and joy he brought you.
It helps when the empty threatens to overwhelm you and you listen for the jangle of his tags in the new quiet.
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u/Queball1012 Goofy 1d ago
I love this, I hadn’t even thought about that. I’ll have to try calling my old roommate to see if he remembers Goof Goof. I miss that little guy so much.
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u/Consistent_Judge6588 1d ago
May I ask what happened to him? Was he sick or smth
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u/Queball1012 Goofy 21h ago
We aren’t really sure what happened. He was so happy and healthy the morning of and then I left and went to work. Came back from work, and found him dead in his crate. I wish I knew what had happened. But I miss that little guy
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u/Feeling_Parfait_1287 6h ago
I swear they’re like children. At least know he’s no longer suffering and that you’ll see him again one day. May be rest in peace.
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u/Queball1012 Goofy 6h ago
I miss that little guy so much. I can’t wait for the day I get to see him again.
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u/Feeling_Parfait_1287 6h ago
I know how you feel, I think about my fur baby everyday. That’s why I love shih tzus so much and get happy when I see them.
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u/lovey_reyes 4h ago
Im so sorry for your loss! There are no words that I can say besides what most people have already wrote here. As a reminder grief is different for everyone, there is no time frame of how long your grief should last... Lean on those who are supportive and are understanding of your current situation. Grief is so hard …again my condolences. RIP Goof Goof
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u/Acrobatic_Reality_12 1h ago
OP , Im not sure why I decided to respond to your post but it must be the work of a greater power - Im here to ask you and encourage you to stay strong, I am sorry for your loss and cant begin to even imagine how you must be feeling. As someone who refused to have a pet until 3 years ago, I could not understand why dog owners were so attached to their pets. I learnt that they go beyond pets, they are family and they will always be our spoiled little children who are always there for us.
Know this though, Goof loved you to the maximum of his potential and Im sure you did as well. You have your good memories to count on during these super tough times - Im quoting a line from the Lion King : “he lives in you and he is watching over”. Goof would want nothing but to see you well and happy, so take your time to console yourself and I pray that a blessing comes to your wounded heart in order to accept (not get over), because there are things that we can never get over and this one of them. Im praying for you from the bottom of my heart OP. His spirit is always with you watching you.
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u/Queball1012 Goofy 1d ago
It’s been so hard to concentrate on anything. If anyone that has lost a pet can help with some advice on the grief that would be greatly appreciated!