grief — blog Dog Behavior Blog — Just dogs with Sherri

This is my newest book. It was published in August of last year and was a work from my heart. This little book covers so many things in it; far more than just the actual loss. My hope is that every dog lover will read it; no matter where you are in your relationship with your dog.

We all know only too well that our dogs do not live nearly as long as we would like them to. So, at some point everyone is going to have to go through loss. I wish that all dogs who leave us are old and have had a great life but sadly that is not reality.

The book is a step by step through the entire process. It begins with the very first and most important question of "when?" It explains everything from the very start of the end, through to the healing of grief and everything that it brings.

I will be holding a FREE Webinar on February 02-2017 to discuss the subject of losing a canine and the book itself.

Click here to register for the Webinar - Moving Through the Loss of your Canine Companion

If you are the guardian of a canine now, have lost a heart dog or want to know how to deal when the time comes, join us.

My greatest wish is that this book and now the Webinar will help even just a few. Join us and share your stories; as I will be sharing mine.

If you are interested in reading the book before the Webinar you can find it here.

Moving Through the Loss of your Canine Companion

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Missing Luke

I began a blog this morning about canine maintenance and looking over some photos for it. I came across an old blog filled with photos of Luke and Elsa playing and just hanging out. The tears came. I decided in that moment to savor the moment. So many days when the thought of my man (now gone) comes to me, I quickly brush it away and get on with the day. Grief is tough, but it has to come and the sadness needs to be dealt with.

I've had a lot of grief days and it has gotten easier. Time helps. Learning to go through the day to day without your heart dog gets easier by simply doing it. But you must also deal, so when I have time I let it come. I council many people on the issue of losing their dogs and so I must listen to my own advice.

Death is a part of life; but sometimes a life has been so entwined with your own that it is a difficult loss to lessen. I have loved every one of my dogs over the years and suffered from deep, sad grief. This has been the most difficult for me. Luke was a funny and quirky boy and I miss him deeply. I cannot tell you how many times I say "I still cannot believe he is gone."

Memories are the greatest thing. Time helps to lessen the blow and then the memories come. As they come, so do the tears. Allowing the time for them is important. Realizing how your dog changed your life and altered you as a canine guardian is essential. Each and every dog that walks through your life can make you a better caregiver.

As dogs age, they need more care. The care of a very senior dog creates an amazing time of giving back. When the end comes, that huge amount of care leaves a void in your life. This in itself can make the loss even more powerful. There is nothing like caring for an old dog; I would never, ever miss it, not for a second. And I miss it now.

I hope that all dog guardians get to experience an amazing connection and bond with their dog. If you have many dogs in your life then you will also have great loss. With each loss comes sadness but that sadness comes from a great love. I have had so much love from the dogs in my life; and I look forward to more love.

Savor the moments with your dog; the puppy, teenager, adult, older dog and very old senior; for those moments will stay within your heart for all eternity. Hug your dog today.