[DP_2017]

My beloved dog, who was nearly 16, passed in Oct. He was my life, my everything. I literally was with him every single day, as I worked at home, unless I traveled but sometimes I would travel with him.

I have a second dog, they grew up together and I love him and he is great but I just feel, even after all this time, I'm not me anymore. I feel like I am just trying to figure out who I am now and where to go from here

The things I used to do, are just too hard now or I've lost interest in them, I've distanced myself from people...by choice.. as I prefer being alone with my dog as much as possible.

I try to find happiness but even walking my current dog is not the same, I don't care as much anymore.

I am in therapy and my therapist is great, he even knew my dog so he understands alot about the loss, but he is literally my only consistent support in life. I'm not sure why I posted this, I guess, I just need to know this aspect of grief is normal and is there any hope, will I ever be me again or do I have to become a new version of me?

[Skeezyks]

I'm sorry for your loss. We have an older dog who has kidney disease. We're concerned we may lose him in the not-all-that-distant future too, as kidney disease in dogs is not curable. We're older people. So we've been through it before... several times. There are some articles in PsychCentral's archives on the topic of pet loss. Here are some links:

https://blogs.psychcentral.com/live-...a-pet-is-real/

https://psychcentral.com/lib/grievin...loss-of-a-pet/

https://psychcentral.com/lib/the-15-...bout-pet-loss/

https://psychcentral.com/blog/why-we...-for-our-pets/

https://psychcentral.com/lib/underst...s-of-your-pet/

https://blogs.psychcentral.com/singl...the-workplace/

[CANDC]

Originally Posted by DP_2017

My beloved dog, who was nearly 16, passed in Oct. He was my life, my everything. I literally was with him every single day, as I worked at home, unless I traveled but sometimes I would travel with him.

I have a second dog, they grew up together and I love him and he is great but I just feel, even after all this time, I'm not me anymore. I feel like I am just trying to figure out who I am now and where to go from here

The things I used to do, are just too hard now or I've lost interest in them, I've distanced myself from people...by choice.. as I prefer being alone with my dog as much as possible.

I try to find happiness but even walking my current dog is not the same, I don't care as much anymore.

I am in therapy and my therapist is great, he even knew my dog so he understands alot about the loss, but he is literally my only consistent support in life. I'm not sure why I posted this, I guess, I just need to know this aspect of grief is normal and is there any hope, will I ever be me again or do I have to become a new version of me?

Hi DP2017. Sorry for your loss. Some people try to talk themselves out of their grief but grieving for a loss is hard work. If can last a long time.

For me reinventing myself helped. Part of my identity died with that loss so I just had to start something new. Yoga and exercises helped my moods and my energy levels. Everyone has to find what works for them, but looking for that is important in my opinion.

((hugs))