[rubynrosie]

I am so sorry for your loss! I lost my "heart" dog Lola just over a year ago and it was very devastating for me. I sunk into a pretty awful depression that scared me - Im sure many of you can relate as I know of very few yorkie owners who don't feel as if their dog is their child. Here are my suggestions:

1. There are a few websites that have support groups for pet loss. The one I used, was called Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement. It has numerous pages of info plus a chat room w moderators trained in that subject.

2. If you like to read find a pet loss book. The one I found that was helpful to me was The Loss of a Pet: A guide to coping with the grieving process when a pet dies.

3. Talk to supportive friends and family, including this website. I am learning...yorkie lovers are a kind compassionate lot and when one about the death of a dog, many respond to offer words support.

4. Make a memorial spot/garden. It doesn't have to be big. Maybe a plant w a picture of your dog where you can sit and meditate for awhile. I am actually planting a garden this summer. I've had numerous pets/people in my life that have passed on. I've looked online for flowers that either have the same meaning as their name, the same color as their eyes or personality, the flower representing the month they were born/died. I plan on making the garden large enough to have a reading bench in it as two of my favorite things are reading and gardening.

5. Either check online or talk to your vet/local humane society for support groups in your area. Most bigger cities actually have support groups you can attend.

6. Talk to your doctor. Sometimes during bereavement, we just fall so low that we actually fall into major depression. If its been awhile and life has not gotten back to being meaningful or productive for you, that may be what has happened. There is medication for depression.

7. My last suggestion (sorry this post is so long!) Find a therapist. A lot of places have sliding fees so lack of insurance shouldn't be too much of an issue. A therapist can be wonderful for helping you through your grieving process.

Grieving for a pet is so hard. I think partly because everyone grieves differently, and that's ok. Some need to get a new pet right away, after a few months/years and some never. I got a new yorkie less than 3 weeks after Lola passed. Ruby will never take the place of Lola but she adds to my life own a different just as special way. Sometimes something will remind me of Lola and I will shed a tear, even now after a year. I find its less tears and more smiles over the memories...Hopefully that will happen to you too.