Gone 4 months and I still cry at least once a week.
I did this too, added the ashes to the ink too. My baby will be with me forever. It'll get better, I'm going on 3 years and while it still hurts it hurts a bit less.
this post was submitted on 20 Jun 2026
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Everybody keeps asking me when I'll get another dog and I keep telling them, I don't want another dog. I just want Ripley back. Until that changes, no new dog for me.
Took me about a year, but I had another dog who needed a friend. Take your time, their is no rush. I started by just looking at shelter dogs and even they just like with Nutmeg I waited for a dog to choose me. She adopted me and so did Cleo.
You'll never fill that hole in your heart. Not even with another dog. Another dog can make your heart grow bigger enough to eventually take another hole. I have a few.
I didn't had a dog, but a cat that meant very much to me
Not after a bit more than a year, we need to take of a stray with her 2 kittens.
So much emotions are coming up, I sometimes can't take it.
But as stupid as it sounds, there is a TV show with Dr Pol in Massachusetts or something
Anyway, he says, you can never replace a loved dog, but you can always love a new/another one
And that's true.
My cat has nothing anymore from my grieving, but this cat family now has got everything, because we care.
But as said, it's really hard on us and we spent nights crying - and nightmares are coming up for me
So, it's not easy, but still, he is right
Let time determine that. It's right to wait, I see too many people try to get a new dog, and while they mean well, that dog is first most a replacement, and that should never happen. A new relationship should be about it alone, and not a past one.
My son lost his dog a bit ago, and while they haven't decided if or when they'd do another, what they did do is offer fostering for other dogs on a limited (few days) basis. They miss the routine, I think.
Know that no matter what you do, it doesn't downplay what you had, that will be forever.
Definitely take your time to heal. For me I keep being sad until I have another dog in my life and then I transition to remembering the good memories of my lost pet. I don’t know how common that is, I wonder if that’s where some people are coming from. I’m hoping they’re coming from a supportive place is all I’m trying to suggest. All in all, the only valid approach is the one that works for you. Your tattoo is fire. So sorry for your loss.
I understand this because I lost my girl a few weeks ago due to liver cancer that did metastasis to her lungs. We learned about it just 10 days before that - she seemed so healthy, it was like she got it overnight or something. We barely could do anything and I really tried to save her, I really hoped she could make it. She passed in my arms like all of a sudden after she walked after me and I picked her up.
I even haven't been able to tell someone else how I actually feel and how that last moment crushed me but how she looked so pretty and so happy just seconds before that like I never saw her before, like if somehow all her pain just vanished before she passed. I cried lots and lots and sometimes my eyes still get a bit tearful when remembering her and feeling how cruel and unfair life was to her and her mother and how I wish both of them still were around.
I just try to not think about any of that, but about how fortunate I was that the most 2 beautiful dogs were with me, her 11 years and her mother another 8. I don't even believe in afterlife, god or any of that, but I do wish there is a heaven for them and she and her mother and all of them are playing and in peace with nothing of this absurdity we call life.
Hope you too can remember all the beautiful and funny moments you two shared together.
That was the hardest part. if I caught it earlier I would have done anything to afford the amputation to keep her around with me. But it had already spread to her lungs. But she hid it from me.
Even on her very last day, hobbling around on three legs, she easily had the energy to standing jump into the back seat of the truck to go to the vet. Three hours and an xray later, I saying goodbye to my baby-girl.
What a nice idea, wish I got a booper print of mine 😞
The snoot print was a surprise from the company that handled the cremation. I knew they were taking a paw-print and I knew that I had ordered an upgraded urn that allowed me to post a photo in it. But I wasn't expecting the nose-print.
When I pulled it out of the bag, I'll be honest...it broke me all over again.
Yeah I would too, thats really touching
My boy is 17. When he goes, I plan to get a stuffed replica to Cuddle. I should probably go ahead and do that, since he's achy and touch-sensitive now.
I did this for our kids when one of our doggos passed suddenly, found a stuffed animal that pretty much matched. I’ll do it for our remaining dog when she goes, too. They’ve been there for our kids’ entire lives.
I am very genuienly sorry for your loss.
At least in my experience, most dogs are better people than most people are.
It is entirely ok to cry, to greive.
Nothing lasts forever, but your memories will last as long as you do.
When you are ready, I am sure Ripley would want you to make some new happy memories too, on your own, with another, any kind really.
Thank you.
Dogs are what more people should aspire to be like. Non-judgemental, and just happy to be included.
The only reason I have ever not wanted to have a dog is to not have to go through losing a dog. Well and also feeling like I can't give it a good enough life.
Had a few dogs, none that had great personality. But after my recent Aussie died I died. He was so fucking smart and honestly my best friend.
We took him everywhere with us. He was in a couple parades and hung out with me at outdoor events. Dude would carry our water bottles in a backpack on hikes. He always wanted a job and we kept him occupied.
He was so chill and gentle. Loved everyone. He took treats very gently because he didn't want to accidentally nibble you. He loved kids, would always go up to them for pets and gently lick babies on the cheek. Would have been a fantastic service dog to visit children hospitals, but we were too lazy to go through the process to certify him.
But he got old and weak and his heart started failing, after his 16th birthday. The day we had to put him down he couldn't move anymore and somehow I think he knew it was time. He went out as gracefully as he lived, gave us each a little kiss and just laid down didn't struggle, as me and wife sobbed hugging him.
Yeah can't go through that deep of a connection again. Like having a member of your family die, no other dog I have will be him.
That is a gorgeous guy. Love his coloring on his muzzle.
That was right before his health downfall. Just before his 15th birthday. Happy to go on slow walks, but also happy to sleep a lot and fart.
It's so worth it having them in your life, even for a short time. However, losing them is super hard, every time. I currently am on my fourth and fifth golden retriever. Losing the first three were definitely heartbreaking.
goldens are like the dogs dog to.
That's why I Got a cat, I felt like I couldn't provide a dog the outside time it always wanted. I'm a homebody, I needed something I could love at home
Which one of you is cutting onions…
A little over a year since I lost my girl and I bet there is not a day that goes by that I don’t think about her at least once.
What a great snoot ❤️
The best ever.
6 months here. I didn't end up getting a tattoo but I thought long and hard about it a bunch of times.
I cry for him at least once a week as well. It's so hard. They are so good.
I love this so much. What an amazing idea. I hope when your time on earth is up, you go wherever your dog went. You belong together
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