Just hoping for anyone's personal experiences with loosing your animal companions. My dog was just diagnosed with cancer and hasn't been given much of a good prognosis. He'll be the first companion I've ever had to face loosing.

How did you deal with the loss of your love? Do you have any tips on making the transition easier? What should I concentrate on in his final weeks/months? any helpful tidbits would be appreciated.

It is difficult to be in a group of peers who do not share my zoosexuality. they do understand that my dog is very important to me, but of course dont understand the extent of our relationship and therefore can't possibly fathom how much this news hurts. one of my friends even had the audacity to tell me "dude, it's just a dog, you'll get over it". He's the first person i've ever punched full on in the face.

i'm very thankful for this likeminded community, it's the only place where others can understand how much loosing an animal can hurt.

thanks in advance for any input.

I too had to deal with this with my old Golden type... He was not just a dog he was my best friend and a member of my family. I can offer no magic advice to make the pain go away... there is none. He died in 1982, but I still get to thinking about him and cry.
Just be assured his pain will be over and know that some time in the future, you two will be together again.

I'm so sorry to hear this. :(
But I must say you are lucky to know its coming rather than it take you by surprise when your beloved is gone. Nothing hurts more than losing a companion, but at least you have time to prepare for the end.

I was not around when my little dog was killed the other year. I was in school, and got the call from my mom saying they found his body after being attacked by multiple dogs. I can't recall ever being more sad in my life than I was that moment I heard about what happened.
Months later, my mother brought him up in a conversation. I don't know why she thought to go into detail on what he looked like when the found him, but she did, and I felt suddenly sick and started crying. She said, sorry and that I was lucky I had not been there to see him.

I can't say the grief will ever end or that the pain will go away. Warrior44's post above me proves just that. Basically it is something that everybody has to go through at some point in their life. However, its a dog, and they don't live as long as us, as sad as that is, most likely our mates will die before us.

What to do in his last month or so? Spend time with him, love him, show him he is appreciated. Take pictures, make sweet memories. I would concentrate on making him feel comfortable and loved. Enjoy every moment, because at least you have him for this little bit of time.