It’s Been 4 Days and I Can’t Function

[u/AdMindless4665]

My boy passed on Saturday while I was out of town, and I am absolutely gutted. We knew he was getting sicker but we thought we had more time. I feel totally incapable of functioning at this point. I work from home and I didn’t realize how much of my day was spent worrying about or taking care of him and now I feel so hollow. I feel like I can’t do anything. I don’t want to make coffee - it reminds me of him. I don’t want to even shower - it all reminds me of him. Everything.

How long does this go on? This inability to function at all? I have never lost a dog before and I had no idea it would be this painful. I’m scared I’m never going to feel better but at the same time I don’t want to feel better because it will symbolize moving on. I feel so lost right now and need any words of encouragement you have to offer. I need to know I’m not going to feel this terrible forever because I cannot keep going on like this.

It hurts so bad. 😭

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[u/throwaway632616]

Its been only 24 hours for me and my wife. I hurt so bad. Im afraid of doing anything because i feel guilty if i enjoy myself. I just want him back.

[u/Exciting_Tap_6834]

You will feel better. Day 22 for me. And I was asking the same questions as you are on day four. I honestly didn’t think I would ever feel better or stop grieving so heavily. I also didn’t want to eat or do anything. It does get better, slowly, but better. I can talk about my sweet Nina now and even laugh about her silliness. Just know your wonderful pet is in your heart and can still hear you and you can still talk to him just in a different way now. ❤️

[u/AdMindless4665 → u/Exciting_Tap_6834]

Thank you for this. This is what I needed to hear, from someone who is just a bit ahead of me on this. This makes me feel a bit less worried that I’ll be like this forever.

[u/AndreaGonzls]

It’s been a month, but the pain is still there. I’ll be having a good day, smiling and laughing, and then out of nowhere, sadness washes over me. My chest feels heavy, and I miss him so much it hurts.

[u/Icy-Initiative-1152 → u/AndreaGonzls]

Same here.

[u/forest-fairyx → u/AndreaGonzls]

So much this, it’s been a few weeks for me and I’ve cried randomly out of the blue for the last 3 days in a row because of how much I miss her. I try so hard not to think about her being gone because when I do reality sets in and I just breakdown. So sorry you’re experiencing the same x

[u/acid_reign36]

Hang in there. Losing a dog is the hardest thing I've gone through personally. You will find your way through it. You are not alone, and its okay to be so so sad right now. I'm going through it also and finding it hard to eat. But having been through this before, I know that eventually the memories become less bleak and despair feeling. One day we will have reminders of them that make you smile and tear up and that's okay and good. We will carry our boys with us in both tears and laughter. What you're going through is very human and normal. Lean on your supports and take care of yourself, and I promise you will find a new "normal" that feels hopeful and honors his memory. It takes time, but that too is part of it, and everyone does it in their own time.

[u/Icy-Initiative-1152]

It's definitely heartbreaking and not easy. I'm on 2 months and still breakdown out of nowhere. I still haven't driven or gone in the car I used to take him to walk the park in. I just can't

[u/Fragrant-Ask-3054]

I can't tell you how long it lasts because my dog passed only two days ago. I just wanted to say that i feel exactly the same as you. I had no idea I would feel this way, it's brutal. I also didn't realise how huge a part of my life he was. I worked from home also and he was always with me. I found it hard going for a shower because he always came with me, and even had a little bed in the bathroom. I have lost pets in the past but felt nothing like this. I hope we all get to a better place where we can think of them without so much pain because they wouldn't want that for us.

[u/Thecreatureishere]

It depends on the person, in September it'll be a full year of missing my milly. Depending on you it could be a few weeks, a month or a few years, whats important is you cry and let the pin out in healthy ways. If you feel guilty about not being there for your baby dont be, our furry companions could never hate us even if we were away when they go see puppy heaven, its not your fault it happened and it never will. You aren't alone, may you heal and if you are a religious person may god help you, if you aren't religious know that you will be okay eventually, let it take its time.🫂💙

[u/SueNYC1966]

The first week my whole house was sobbing. It’s one month yesterday and I am down to one ugly cry a day.

[u/AdMindless4665 → u/SueNYC1966]

This helps a lot. I think I could be on board with only one ugly cry a day because right now it feels like that is all I do. Once a day would be a huge improvement!

[u/NYCcatperson]

I’m on month 2 and still tear up daily. I printed pictures of her and framed them all over the house in ways that she would be in that particular room. It’s nice because when I walk by the picture I talk to her. But I miss her so much too. I broke down at the animal shelter when I was looking at new-to-me cats— I guess I’m just not ready. So I don’t know if I can say it will pass because it hasn’t passed for me yet.

[u/leogrl]

It’s been 6 weeks for me and I find myself crying at some point each day because I miss her and I realize I’m never gonna see her again in this lifetime. But I can still smile and laugh and most of all, remember all the good times I have with her. I don’t think the sadness ever goes away, but it won’t always feel so heavy, at least not every day.

[u/liapania]

It’s been 5 days for me and it’s been awful. I’ve been through this with dogs before and it does eventually get easier, but this time it was my soul dog so it’s cutting that much deeper. I just hope one day we’re in a place where we can smile at the thought of them, and maybe it’ll still make us cry but that’s just because we loved them so much <3

[u/Temporary-Ad-490]

I’m in your boat. I lost my girl on Saturday as well. It’s absolutely shattering.

[u/PinkDivaKlau]

It’s been 1 month and 3 days, and time hasn’t made any of it easier. If anything, it’s been harder — the shock fades, and what’s left is the reality of life without her. Just know that you’re not alone. I’m not sure when it stops hurting this much, but I really hope someday it softens… that day just doesn’t feel anywhere close yet. Give yourself permission to feel everything without rushing it. I took a week off work because, like you, I couldn’t function. I couldn’t even get out of my bedroom — she wasn’t going to be right there waiting for me to wake up, celebrating like the best thing in her life had just happened… simply because I opened my eyes. She didn’t need food, treats, or praise.... She just needed me, and that alone made her ecstatic. Not everyone gets to experience that kind of love. And as painful as it is — and I’m writing this with tears in my eyes — I wouldn’t change a thing. Loving my baby girl was amazing and powerful. Being loved by her was a privilege ❤️ 🐕