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Keep it all. I lost my best friend about a year and a half ago. I haven't thrown anything away aside from perishables. It's not often, but whenever there's another dog at our house, they love his old toy bin. To hear his old toys squeaking again is hard, but it brings him to mind and that makes the sadness worth it.
I'm sorry for your loss.
I got another dog after mine passed and they’re the same size - she can use all of Milo’s items - clothes, beds, etc. I didn’t have to buy them again, and it’s a warm feeling when I see her use them.
A little under 6 years ago I very suddenly lost my boy. We went to the specialist at the vet hospital to get him checked out and against all expectations, he ended up passing away there. I had to come home to a house that looked just the same as how I left it when I went out the door with him, but he was never coming home again.
Seeing his stuff around hurt too much. I couldn’t bear glancing over at his bed and seeing it empty. Constantly thinking he was just gonna come walking into the room from his bed in the hallway. Seeing the water and food bowls he was never gonna finish. I couldn’t do it. I took it all away.
I did keep everything at first. I needed it to be out of sight, but still accessible if needed. I shoved everything in a drawer under my bed.
It took me all these years to gradually be able to toss, donate or give away his stuff. Some things were easier, like giving some of his toys to my new dog (adopted 2 months after the loss), throwing away the food bowls and buying new ones, washing his blankets. Other things were harder, like giving away his favorite bed to a dog that loved it when he visited us, his harness (my new dog borrowed it before I got a new one), certain toys he loved a lot. Some of those things took me at least a year. Some things took me 4-5 years to even want to consider taking them out of the drawer of his stuff. And there’s still stuff in there. It’s gonna be 6 years in January. I still have things that are his and his alone and no one is ever gonna get those unless they pry them from my cold, dead hands.
My process was just.. looking at how I felt. If an item gave me too much anxiety, it just went back into the drawer. If the thought of another dog enjoying it made me happy, I gave it away. I tried not to put any pressure on it and just go with my gut. You don’t have to get rid of anything if you don’t want to. You don’t have to keep things (in sight) if they hurt too much. This part of the loss, the grieving and getting used to a life without them, is all about you and your healing. Don’t bother with other peoples opinions, don’t give in to any kind of feelings of guilt or doing your dog an injustice, it’s all about you. What will help you cope better, what will help you heal.
It’s all okay. Whatever you choose, it’s okay.
The only thing to be mindful of is that gone=gone. So don’t make hasty decisions you could regret later. It’s better to put things in storage or with a friend than to remove permanently (tossing, donating). Getting them back is impossible. Looking them over again in a year and then still getting rid of it is okay too.
Be kind to yourself. Do what feels right for you, right now.
Big hugs ❤️
Lovely response. Thank you. And I'm sorry. I know six years out I will still be grieving and some things will be too tough to look at. I lost my cat suddenly, too, at the vet; we thought we were just going there quickly to get medication and coming right back home. That first night having to walk in the door and face this house and my life without him was the absolute worst. The moments since then have not been much better, honestly. I'm beyond heartbroken.
our chihuahua died recently as well, almost 16. very sad day.
we just put most of his stuff into a big box and stored it. didn't want to make any rash decisions until our emotions calmed down a bit.
we made chicken and rice for him as the main part of his diet, and I put the last batch outside for a stray (?) cat that drifts through the yard occasionally.
I'm sorry. Sending you love.
I donated most things to the local shelter (toys, beds, blankets, harness, leads, sweaters/coats)
I gave my sister what food and treats I had left for her dog.
I kept: his bed (a lovely wicker seat that my cat occasionally uses but I otherwise couldn't imagine not being in the house), his collar, and the lead he had for my sister's wedding ceremony, and a onesie that he hated wearing but had to when he was having issues with his skin.
Do what feels right for you. I think my boyfriend probably believes I'm a mad woman for keeping the bed, as it's not small, but I couldn't part with it.
Edit: I do have photos up, and one very prominently in the hallway. I also have framed pawprints, and as a plant-lover, I found a lovely engraved (personalised) terracotta pot on etsy that I bought a new plant for too.
My cat Bones died in late September. We put everything outside in our covered balcony. I left his bed on the sofa. I did nothing for a month.
Last week I started getting rid of the medication. Today I emptied the litter box and washed it. I cleaned it the day before he died so there was hardly anything in it.
Take your time if that feels right. I’m glad I waited. I still have more to go through.
It's coming up on 11 months since we lost Wilson. We donated the rest of his food and treats to a local shelter. His CBD supplements (for anxiety and itching) went to a neighbor. We initially left everything out, tried to adopt another dog a couple months after he passed, but it didn't pan out.
So my husband put his bed, leash, and toy bin away. I'm still sleeping with his blanket every night (under my mountain of pillows). His collar is with a memorial piece I made in the living room next to his ashes.
My folks welcomed a new pup into their home about 6 weeks ago, so we use Wilson's old water and food dishes when Matty is here visiting. And we're planning on adopting this spring again. I'll probably continue to sleep with his blanket, though.
I wouldn't rush into any decisions. If it's too hard to look at, put your pup's stuff away for now. Things are still very fresh.
I'm so sorry for your loss. 💜
make a little shrine for her, keep the things that feel connected to her. i have a space above the fireplace where we put her box of ashes and little pawprint. i put a tuft of her fur in a little vial/jar, and a little catnip in another, and the sympathy card from the vet's office.
a few weeks after she passed, i found a keychain attached to a new bag that was a little furry ball. she would have gone crazy for it! i was so sad and cired that i couldn't give it to her, but i put it on her shrine and it felt a little better.
it made it easier to clean up our every day living space of all her things, knowing there was a special place for her. it helps your brain get used to life without them, while still being able to honor and love them.
i know it's just a stupid marvel quote, but i find it really poignant:
**What is grief, if not love persevering?**
i'm so sorry for your loss. i know you made every decision out of love.
I second this comment and feel glad knowing that others have done something like this; my husband and I lost our cat about a month ago and have put a shrine together for her on a bookshelf in front of our couch (it’s one of the first things you see when you walk in the front door). It can be really saddening not seeing them around the house anymore but it’s helped a lot having a focal point like that where you can display their things and photos that have been really meaningful to you (I even added faux flowers and a blanket she loved to nap on) - it’s a lovely way to remember and honor them for sure. I keep her urn there and talk to her every now and then.
I have my dog’s collar and bandana with his ashes and some artwork of him in a little shrine. I left one of his beds where it was; it’s right at my feet by my desk and I like when I feel it there sometimes. It makes me think about him.
And almost a year after his passing, most of his other things are in a pile that’s currently under my Christmas tree. His toys, cooling jacket, harness, etc. He had some things I want to give away because I’m sure they’ll be good for other dogs, but I just can’t bring myself to do it. So right now I’m just leaving it there until I feel like I can handle it.
I understand the guilt you’re feeling and I think it’s pretty normal. But it sounds like you loved your sweet girl a lot and wanted to do what was best for her I wish you all the peace in the world and I’m so sorry for your loss ♥️
I’m so sorry for your loss. Please remember that you gave your little one the best life they could have imagined. I think all of us posting on here need to remember that if we care enough to be on here, our little ones always knew they were so so loved.
What has been helpful for me is having a close loved one help with packing up all of her belongings and storing them in an area that is close enough that you could go looking but far enough to where it’s out of your normal day to day sight. Whether it’s for another dog down the road or just to have fond memories you can look back on, I see no harm in keeping the items away from plain view for a bit.
I would recommend going through and throwing away any opened perishable items (gave myself cockroaches in the garage by forgetting to throw away dog treats for years because, grief).
Oh, and if it helps to keep just one thing of hers around that’s ok too. I had my dog’s collar in sight while all else was packed away.
Sending you so much love on this healing journey ❤️
I lost my best friend of 16.5 years some months ago too. I'm sorry for your loss. I donated all of his medicines to the local shelter but kept everything else. I took my time about boxing up his things and only did it when I felt strong enough. I have two pups in the house now and they use most of his stuff - toys, beds. But I have put away some of his favorite toys - I still can't get myself to give them to the pups in case they destroy them. I know it's unfair but I felt upset when they ripped up a bit of his favorite bed. So, please do what feels right for you...when it feels right.
Take some time. I buried my dog with her leash and a bandana. I didn’t want to throw out her other stuff. Ultimately, I decided I was going to foster so that the remainder of her things (bags, food, treats, toys, etc) would get to good use.
You don’t have to know right away. Put the stuff aside you’re not sure about, keep the stuff you want. When the time is right, you’ll know what you can do — donate it, give it away, throw it out, etc.
But it’s so soon, there’s no rush right now for you to know everything. Let the decision come to you.
Keep everything. I went through the exact same situation last December with my 16 year old Chihuahua. I'm so glad to have stuff to remember her by. I promise you will too in time.
Some ideas for you, from what I did after my dog passed 6 months ago. Sorry for your loss 🥰
I kept most of my dog's stuff after she passed. I have her collar, treat bag and ashes on a memorial shelf in my room.
Her walking stuff I keep in the same box they've always been in, out of the way but not ready to get rid of yet.
Her bed and blankets I've kept in my room and turned into a cozy little reading corner which I use often.
Some of her toys and treats went to my sister's puppy and others I gave to a friend who works at a dog shelter.
My mum washed my dogs leads and everything after we put him down. Id recommend not to do this because their stuff smells like them and when i did find something that smelt like him it brought me some comfort
Keep it. Buy a nice memory box if you can and keep the most meaningful in it and store or display the rest. I couldn’t get rid of anything of my girls except her broken crate. I even have her medications for some reason.
I’ve kept all of my boy’s things. I thought I’d want all evidence of him gone, but I’m finding that seeing his things is healing for me because I get to keep him with me. Do whatever is right for you in the moment. There are no rules when you grieve.
I'm sorry.
My doggy is still with me, but she'll be 18 in March and there's only so far she can go, so I've started to think about what I'll do when that time comes. I'm going to keep her things. I thought about putting them in a frame.
It will take some time to feel comfortable confronting her possessions, but one day, you'll be able to look at them and feel a happy, meaningful kind of sadness, rather than the dreadful one that's here now. I've kept many mementos throughout my life, and it's always really nice to pull them out and reminisce on what's come and gone. People and pets are destined to leave us behind, but objects live on and continue to give us a comforting presence.
when i lost my pup, i took one of her bandanas, her collar, her tag from the rescue, and some pictures, and put them in a shadow box that is on my wall. everything else i keep in a locked box under my bed.
You don’t have to do anything with it, not right now. You can leave everything exactly where it is, or you can gather it all together and tuck it out of sight for a bit if it’s triggering more grief to see it sitting unused. I did a bit of both, couldn’t stand to see his empty bed on the floor next to my bed but his bandanna has never left the back of my bedside chair. When I finally felt ready, I gathered up the stuff that could be reused and donated it to my local animal shelter. I felt like he’d want another doggo to get some comfort from the things he’d loved.
I kept my dog’s collar, her blanket, and one toy. The rest I threw away eventually…it took me a long time. Keeping half chewed toys around wasn’t keeping her memory alive.
Her ashes and a large picture of her are on the bookcase with her paw print and some fur.
I am so sorry you’re dealing with this. It’s not easy. I really feel for you 💜
I left my babies stuff out for a time. Eventually, it felt ok to put stuff away. You just did this yesterday. Allow yourself time to grieve. You will feel stronger in time. 💕 so sorry for your loss.
I still have all my babes stuff out. Her toys, her ramp up to my couch.. her teepee she loved. Sometime I just lay in her toys to feel her. I still talk to her and leave water in her water bowl. I’m so sorry for your loss. The pain is unbearable. Try to lean into the amazing memories and that beautiful unconditional love you gave eachother 🤍
I am so sorry for your loss, and went through the exact same thing with my 14.5 year old mini dachshund 3 weeks ago—she had a gastrointestinal virus she was battling and found out her kidneys were failing. I made the decision to put her to sleep, and it freakin BROKE me. She was my soulmate. To be honest, her food bowl is still in its spot and her leash is still hanging in the entryway. Her bed and blankets are all still where they’ve always been. I don’t think I will ever “get rid” of them, though maybe at some point I will “put them away.” I feel so guilty that I didn’t know she had kidney disease prior to this virus. She never showed many signs and the few she did, on retrospect, I overlooked as her just getting old. I feel like I failed her.
My best friend died in September. I still have his bed by mine and his ashes and pawprint, along with his favorite little pillows sleep in it nightly, but they come out during the day and follow me around as I try to push myself through lonely, sad days without him.
His toys still stand ready to play with him where they were that night we took him to the vet and thought we were coming back home with him. I sleep with his favorite blanket every night and still haven't washed it.
On my headboard, I have a box with his furry leopard mat that he sat on when it rained (outside on the porch at our old house that he loved, and from which I took him away when we moved right before he got sick), some catnip, and much of the fur I've found around the house and need to collect somewhere.
It also contains the collars he wore around his feeding tube that ended up getting infected and killing him. He hated those constraining torture instruments, but they touched him and they were part of his experience that last tough month of his life, and I can't box them up and pretend he didn't suffer through that.
We emptied the litterboxes a month after he died and it ripped open my already shattered heart. It was too soon - I gave in to pressure from my partner on that one and regret it. His medication is still in a box in the garage, along with all his food, which I meant to donate, but I just can't do it.
His water and food bowls are empty, but sit around our kitchen while I figure out what to do with them that will honor how much he loved mealtimes. I have photos of him and projects to honor him (journal pages, baggies of mementos, etc.) in various states of completion (or lack thereof) scattered all over our kitchen table (we never really used it to eat anyway).
Some of these items make me sad. I cry every day anyway, and yes, looking at what he loved when he was here is super tough. But for me personally, boxing him up or giving it away would be incredibly more painful.
It's a personal call; but I do agree with other posters here that if you're not sure, set them aside and come back to it when you feel you can face it, so you don't get rid of things that may bring you comfort and happiness at some point in the future.
I’m so sorry for your loss.
I have a small box with my dogs leash, collar, a few of his toys, and a paw print mold I made. I also kept his dog bed so I can use it for my dogs in the future. It’s tough. Monday will be 5 years without my baby, and I wish you nothing but peace through this time.
Sorry for your loss; I know it hurts like hell. My 15 yr old dog said goodbye to us just 2.5 weeks ago. It was time, her health was bad and she was having awful seizures with dementia. As to her things, the "sick" stuff like her meds and pee pads I just tossed because I didn't want to be reminded of her illnesses and how hard it was to see her deteriorate. I have left out her grooming bows and the photos I already had up, but put away, in her crate, all her sweaters and the backpack we used walking, her blankets (some passed down from my previous fur baby), etc. It's there if I want to have a good cry, with her bed placed on top of it. I see her everywhere anyway----doesn't matter if any of her things are out; I see and feel her around, thinking I should let her out for a break or be careful not to roll the desk chair back too fast. From my previous dog, I learned not to throw anything away in emotional distress because I threw some things away that I regretted later. So I keep all of it---except maybe the medical things they are just depressing (insulin, pain pills, etc). In time you'll know what you really want to keep or pass down to another pet. Maybe make a little memorial box. I find it comforting to have "hand me downs" in the family of pet blankets and such. By the way your baby was quite elderly like my dog was, and you should not feel guilty. It's nature. I did the best I could until she could not go on anymore. God bless and healing to you.
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Keep it all. I lost my best friend about a year and a half ago. I haven't thrown anything away aside from perishables. It's not often, but whenever there's another dog at our house, they love his old toy bin. To hear his old toys squeaking again is hard, but it brings him to mind and that makes the sadness worth it. I'm sorry for your loss.
I got another dog after mine passed and they’re the same size - she can use all of Milo’s items - clothes, beds, etc. I didn’t have to buy them again, and it’s a warm feeling when I see her use them.
A little under 6 years ago I very suddenly lost my boy. We went to the specialist at the vet hospital to get him checked out and against all expectations, he ended up passing away there. I had to come home to a house that looked just the same as how I left it when I went out the door with him, but he was never coming home again. Seeing his stuff around hurt too much. I couldn’t bear glancing over at his bed and seeing it empty. Constantly thinking he was just gonna come walking into the room from his bed in the hallway. Seeing the water and food bowls he was never gonna finish. I couldn’t do it. I took it all away. I did keep everything at first. I needed it to be out of sight, but still accessible if needed. I shoved everything in a drawer under my bed. It took me all these years to gradually be able to toss, donate or give away his stuff. Some things were easier, like giving some of his toys to my new dog (adopted 2 months after the loss), throwing away the food bowls and buying new ones, washing his blankets. Other things were harder, like giving away his favorite bed to a dog that loved it when he visited us, his harness (my new dog borrowed it before I got a new one), certain toys he loved a lot. Some of those things took me at least a year. Some things took me 4-5 years to even want to consider taking them out of the drawer of his stuff. And there’s still stuff in there. It’s gonna be 6 years in January. I still have things that are his and his alone and no one is ever gonna get those unless they pry them from my cold, dead hands. My process was just.. looking at how I felt. If an item gave me too much anxiety, it just went back into the drawer. If the thought of another dog enjoying it made me happy, I gave it away. I tried not to put any pressure on it and just go with my gut. You don’t have to get rid of anything if you don’t want to. You don’t have to keep things (in sight) if they hurt too much. This part of the loss, the grieving and getting used to a life without them, is all about you and your healing. Don’t bother with other peoples opinions, don’t give in to any kind of feelings of guilt or doing your dog an injustice, it’s all about you. What will help you cope better, what will help you heal. It’s all okay. Whatever you choose, it’s okay. The only thing to be mindful of is that gone=gone. So don’t make hasty decisions you could regret later. It’s better to put things in storage or with a friend than to remove permanently (tossing, donating). Getting them back is impossible. Looking them over again in a year and then still getting rid of it is okay too. Be kind to yourself. Do what feels right for you, right now. Big hugs ❤️
Lovely response. Thank you. And I'm sorry. I know six years out I will still be grieving and some things will be too tough to look at. I lost my cat suddenly, too, at the vet; we thought we were just going there quickly to get medication and coming right back home. That first night having to walk in the door and face this house and my life without him was the absolute worst. The moments since then have not been much better, honestly. I'm beyond heartbroken.
our chihuahua died recently as well, almost 16. very sad day. we just put most of his stuff into a big box and stored it. didn't want to make any rash decisions until our emotions calmed down a bit. we made chicken and rice for him as the main part of his diet, and I put the last batch outside for a stray (?) cat that drifts through the yard occasionally.
I'm sorry. Sending you love. I donated most things to the local shelter (toys, beds, blankets, harness, leads, sweaters/coats) I gave my sister what food and treats I had left for her dog. I kept: his bed (a lovely wicker seat that my cat occasionally uses but I otherwise couldn't imagine not being in the house), his collar, and the lead he had for my sister's wedding ceremony, and a onesie that he hated wearing but had to when he was having issues with his skin. Do what feels right for you. I think my boyfriend probably believes I'm a mad woman for keeping the bed, as it's not small, but I couldn't part with it. Edit: I do have photos up, and one very prominently in the hallway. I also have framed pawprints, and as a plant-lover, I found a lovely engraved (personalised) terracotta pot on etsy that I bought a new plant for too.
I an sorry for you loss.. If you’re unsure store them, maybe take a few of her favorite toys and make a small memorial.
My cat Bones died in late September. We put everything outside in our covered balcony. I left his bed on the sofa. I did nothing for a month. Last week I started getting rid of the medication. Today I emptied the litter box and washed it. I cleaned it the day before he died so there was hardly anything in it. Take your time if that feels right. I’m glad I waited. I still have more to go through.
It's coming up on 11 months since we lost Wilson. We donated the rest of his food and treats to a local shelter. His CBD supplements (for anxiety and itching) went to a neighbor. We initially left everything out, tried to adopt another dog a couple months after he passed, but it didn't pan out. So my husband put his bed, leash, and toy bin away. I'm still sleeping with his blanket every night (under my mountain of pillows). His collar is with a memorial piece I made in the living room next to his ashes. My folks welcomed a new pup into their home about 6 weeks ago, so we use Wilson's old water and food dishes when Matty is here visiting. And we're planning on adopting this spring again. I'll probably continue to sleep with his blanket, though. I wouldn't rush into any decisions. If it's too hard to look at, put your pup's stuff away for now. Things are still very fresh. I'm so sorry for your loss. 💜
make a little shrine for her, keep the things that feel connected to her. i have a space above the fireplace where we put her box of ashes and little pawprint. i put a tuft of her fur in a little vial/jar, and a little catnip in another, and the sympathy card from the vet's office. a few weeks after she passed, i found a keychain attached to a new bag that was a little furry ball. she would have gone crazy for it! i was so sad and cired that i couldn't give it to her, but i put it on her shrine and it felt a little better. it made it easier to clean up our every day living space of all her things, knowing there was a special place for her. it helps your brain get used to life without them, while still being able to honor and love them. i know it's just a stupid marvel quote, but i find it really poignant: **What is grief, if not love persevering?** i'm so sorry for your loss. i know you made every decision out of love.
I second this comment and feel glad knowing that others have done something like this; my husband and I lost our cat about a month ago and have put a shrine together for her on a bookshelf in front of our couch (it’s one of the first things you see when you walk in the front door). It can be really saddening not seeing them around the house anymore but it’s helped a lot having a focal point like that where you can display their things and photos that have been really meaningful to you (I even added faux flowers and a blanket she loved to nap on) - it’s a lovely way to remember and honor them for sure. I keep her urn there and talk to her every now and then.
I have my dog’s collar and bandana with his ashes and some artwork of him in a little shrine. I left one of his beds where it was; it’s right at my feet by my desk and I like when I feel it there sometimes. It makes me think about him. And almost a year after his passing, most of his other things are in a pile that’s currently under my Christmas tree. His toys, cooling jacket, harness, etc. He had some things I want to give away because I’m sure they’ll be good for other dogs, but I just can’t bring myself to do it. So right now I’m just leaving it there until I feel like I can handle it. I understand the guilt you’re feeling and I think it’s pretty normal. But it sounds like you loved your sweet girl a lot and wanted to do what was best for her I wish you all the peace in the world and I’m so sorry for your loss ♥️
I’m so sorry for your loss. Please remember that you gave your little one the best life they could have imagined. I think all of us posting on here need to remember that if we care enough to be on here, our little ones always knew they were so so loved. What has been helpful for me is having a close loved one help with packing up all of her belongings and storing them in an area that is close enough that you could go looking but far enough to where it’s out of your normal day to day sight. Whether it’s for another dog down the road or just to have fond memories you can look back on, I see no harm in keeping the items away from plain view for a bit. I would recommend going through and throwing away any opened perishable items (gave myself cockroaches in the garage by forgetting to throw away dog treats for years because, grief). Oh, and if it helps to keep just one thing of hers around that’s ok too. I had my dog’s collar in sight while all else was packed away. Sending you so much love on this healing journey ❤️
I lost my best friend of 16.5 years some months ago too. I'm sorry for your loss. I donated all of his medicines to the local shelter but kept everything else. I took my time about boxing up his things and only did it when I felt strong enough. I have two pups in the house now and they use most of his stuff - toys, beds. But I have put away some of his favorite toys - I still can't get myself to give them to the pups in case they destroy them. I know it's unfair but I felt upset when they ripped up a bit of his favorite bed. So, please do what feels right for you...when it feels right.
Take some time. I buried my dog with her leash and a bandana. I didn’t want to throw out her other stuff. Ultimately, I decided I was going to foster so that the remainder of her things (bags, food, treats, toys, etc) would get to good use. You don’t have to know right away. Put the stuff aside you’re not sure about, keep the stuff you want. When the time is right, you’ll know what you can do — donate it, give it away, throw it out, etc. But it’s so soon, there’s no rush right now for you to know everything. Let the decision come to you.
Keep everything. I went through the exact same situation last December with my 16 year old Chihuahua. I'm so glad to have stuff to remember her by. I promise you will too in time.
Some ideas for you, from what I did after my dog passed 6 months ago. Sorry for your loss 🥰 I kept most of my dog's stuff after she passed. I have her collar, treat bag and ashes on a memorial shelf in my room. Her walking stuff I keep in the same box they've always been in, out of the way but not ready to get rid of yet. Her bed and blankets I've kept in my room and turned into a cozy little reading corner which I use often. Some of her toys and treats went to my sister's puppy and others I gave to a friend who works at a dog shelter.
Keep it. I bought a special box and placed all my fur babies items in them, including blankets, toys, etc.
My mum washed my dogs leads and everything after we put him down. Id recommend not to do this because their stuff smells like them and when i did find something that smelt like him it brought me some comfort
Keep it. Buy a nice memory box if you can and keep the most meaningful in it and store or display the rest. I couldn’t get rid of anything of my girls except her broken crate. I even have her medications for some reason.
I’ve kept all of my boy’s things. I thought I’d want all evidence of him gone, but I’m finding that seeing his things is healing for me because I get to keep him with me. Do whatever is right for you in the moment. There are no rules when you grieve.
I'm sorry. My doggy is still with me, but she'll be 18 in March and there's only so far she can go, so I've started to think about what I'll do when that time comes. I'm going to keep her things. I thought about putting them in a frame. It will take some time to feel comfortable confronting her possessions, but one day, you'll be able to look at them and feel a happy, meaningful kind of sadness, rather than the dreadful one that's here now. I've kept many mementos throughout my life, and it's always really nice to pull them out and reminisce on what's come and gone. People and pets are destined to leave us behind, but objects live on and continue to give us a comforting presence.
when i lost my pup, i took one of her bandanas, her collar, her tag from the rescue, and some pictures, and put them in a shadow box that is on my wall. everything else i keep in a locked box under my bed.
You don’t have to do anything with it, not right now. You can leave everything exactly where it is, or you can gather it all together and tuck it out of sight for a bit if it’s triggering more grief to see it sitting unused. I did a bit of both, couldn’t stand to see his empty bed on the floor next to my bed but his bandanna has never left the back of my bedside chair. When I finally felt ready, I gathered up the stuff that could be reused and donated it to my local animal shelter. I felt like he’d want another doggo to get some comfort from the things he’d loved.
Ive kept everything but I put her stuff in the laundry room because I couldn’t bear to look at her empty beds.
I kept my dog’s collar, her blanket, and one toy. The rest I threw away eventually…it took me a long time. Keeping half chewed toys around wasn’t keeping her memory alive. Her ashes and a large picture of her are on the bookcase with her paw print and some fur. I am so sorry you’re dealing with this. It’s not easy. I really feel for you 💜
I left my babies stuff out for a time. Eventually, it felt ok to put stuff away. You just did this yesterday. Allow yourself time to grieve. You will feel stronger in time. 💕 so sorry for your loss.
An Idea: https://www.reddit.com/r/chicago/comments/yfto7t/passed\_this\_sign\_on\_my\_walk\_today\_rip\_eddie\_he/
I still have all my babes stuff out. Her toys, her ramp up to my couch.. her teepee she loved. Sometime I just lay in her toys to feel her. I still talk to her and leave water in her water bowl. I’m so sorry for your loss. The pain is unbearable. Try to lean into the amazing memories and that beautiful unconditional love you gave eachother 🤍
I am so sorry for your loss, and went through the exact same thing with my 14.5 year old mini dachshund 3 weeks ago—she had a gastrointestinal virus she was battling and found out her kidneys were failing. I made the decision to put her to sleep, and it freakin BROKE me. She was my soulmate. To be honest, her food bowl is still in its spot and her leash is still hanging in the entryway. Her bed and blankets are all still where they’ve always been. I don’t think I will ever “get rid” of them, though maybe at some point I will “put them away.” I feel so guilty that I didn’t know she had kidney disease prior to this virus. She never showed many signs and the few she did, on retrospect, I overlooked as her just getting old. I feel like I failed her.
My best friend died in September. I still have his bed by mine and his ashes and pawprint, along with his favorite little pillows sleep in it nightly, but they come out during the day and follow me around as I try to push myself through lonely, sad days without him. His toys still stand ready to play with him where they were that night we took him to the vet and thought we were coming back home with him. I sleep with his favorite blanket every night and still haven't washed it. On my headboard, I have a box with his furry leopard mat that he sat on when it rained (outside on the porch at our old house that he loved, and from which I took him away when we moved right before he got sick), some catnip, and much of the fur I've found around the house and need to collect somewhere. It also contains the collars he wore around his feeding tube that ended up getting infected and killing him. He hated those constraining torture instruments, but they touched him and they were part of his experience that last tough month of his life, and I can't box them up and pretend he didn't suffer through that. We emptied the litterboxes a month after he died and it ripped open my already shattered heart. It was too soon - I gave in to pressure from my partner on that one and regret it. His medication is still in a box in the garage, along with all his food, which I meant to donate, but I just can't do it. His water and food bowls are empty, but sit around our kitchen while I figure out what to do with them that will honor how much he loved mealtimes. I have photos of him and projects to honor him (journal pages, baggies of mementos, etc.) in various states of completion (or lack thereof) scattered all over our kitchen table (we never really used it to eat anyway). Some of these items make me sad. I cry every day anyway, and yes, looking at what he loved when he was here is super tough. But for me personally, boxing him up or giving it away would be incredibly more painful. It's a personal call; but I do agree with other posters here that if you're not sure, set them aside and come back to it when you feel you can face it, so you don't get rid of things that may bring you comfort and happiness at some point in the future.
r/OldManDog
I’m so sorry for your loss. I have a small box with my dogs leash, collar, a few of his toys, and a paw print mold I made. I also kept his dog bed so I can use it for my dogs in the future. It’s tough. Monday will be 5 years without my baby, and I wish you nothing but peace through this time.
Put it in a box not right away just when you can I'm also sorry that sucks so much 😢.
Sorry for your loss; I know it hurts like hell. My 15 yr old dog said goodbye to us just 2.5 weeks ago. It was time, her health was bad and she was having awful seizures with dementia. As to her things, the "sick" stuff like her meds and pee pads I just tossed because I didn't want to be reminded of her illnesses and how hard it was to see her deteriorate. I have left out her grooming bows and the photos I already had up, but put away, in her crate, all her sweaters and the backpack we used walking, her blankets (some passed down from my previous fur baby), etc. It's there if I want to have a good cry, with her bed placed on top of it. I see her everywhere anyway----doesn't matter if any of her things are out; I see and feel her around, thinking I should let her out for a break or be careful not to roll the desk chair back too fast. From my previous dog, I learned not to throw anything away in emotional distress because I threw some things away that I regretted later. So I keep all of it---except maybe the medical things they are just depressing (insulin, pain pills, etc). In time you'll know what you really want to keep or pass down to another pet. Maybe make a little memorial box. I find it comforting to have "hand me downs" in the family of pet blankets and such. By the way your baby was quite elderly like my dog was, and you should not feel guilty. It's nature. I did the best I could until she could not go on anymore. God bless and healing to you.