First thing is it helps to talk about it with people who understand, and you have come to the right place. The grief is a natural process. Many of us here have had to say goodbye to our cherished babies. We know all too well what you are going through. I think the grief is especially hard if you have had to make the decision to put your dog down because it is accompanied by the weight of that decision and sometimes self doubt. Please tell us about your dog, what was he like, what was your relationship with him like, what did you love best about him. Honor him with a little tribute to his life and do it here. There are wonderful poems that in time you will want to read. Others here will help to select some for you. What I am going to say next is what I had to do for myself and that was to limit the amount of time I allowed myself to think about and cry for my baby. I was in danger of going down in a spiral of grief and depression, so I had give those feelings their just due, but I also had to not give them control of my whole life. I chose to allow myself to think about losing my dog and crying for her only when I was in the shower or taking a bath and yes, on some days I took more than one bath. At other times I just would not let my mind go to that place, or maybe I should say I wouldn't let it stay there when it went.

I am so sorry for what has just happened in your life. You have to find the strength to "make it better" for your other dog, to let him/her know that it is going to be okay. Keep in touch, please.

[This message has been edited by RachelJ (edited May 08, 2001).]