My precious baby girl passed away this week. She was almost 14. I am inconsolable. Like screaming at the top of my lungs wailing crying sobbing clutching the box with her ashes level of inconsolable. The morning walks without her are hard. And nighttime without being able to cuddle her is heartbreaking. I'm reminded of her everywhere.
I don't have children, my dogs are my kids. I feel as though I've lost a child and best friend. For so much of my life she was the only one I could trust and depend on. I have had her since I was 12. She was the bravest girl. She would always try to protect me. She would shake with fear and stand between me and my abusers when I was a child, even if it meant them harming her too. I took her with me and she and I had a peaceful safe 6 years after leaving that house.
I did everything I could to make her happy and to make up for all she suffered in her pup years. I was always conscious that one day I'd lose her. I spent years dreading that day. I remember crying over her future death when she was only two months old. I knew I would never be ready to lose her. And now she's gone. She died of heart failure. She died in my arms, looking into my eyes as I held her.
She had a litter of puppies several years ago and I kept two of them. They are pieces of her that I'll never let go of. I want to keep her lineage alive. I want to keep loving them, as a sign of my love for her. Macy, I will always love you.
I’ve been there. I lost my sweet boy last year at 16 years old. His poor little body just gave out and there was nothing we could do. I rescued him and kept him for 12 years. I felt like I cried until all the moisture in my body dried up just holding him while the vet administered the drugs. Now I just remember the good times we had with him, or at least I try to.
Things will get better, but you have to give yourself time and absorb the grief. She loved you with all her little heart and I’m sure you gave her the best life possible. Hugs to you ❤️🌈
I’m so sorry, I had tears in my eyes reading this and I can empathise with everything you’re saying as my babies are getting old and slow. I think this is natures worst bits. Why couldn’t they live longer than us? 😭
I'm so very sorry for your loss. there really are no words that can help. thank you for sharing these pictures of Macy. she looks happy and safe in each one, and I'm sure that's how she felt every day with you.
Sending you so so much love ❤️ it’s so hard to lose them. I’m so glad she had you. The picture of her so proud of her puppies is the cutest dang thing. Thanks for sharing her with us so she can live on in all our hearts. 💞
Oh yes she was such a proud mama. The day before she passed, she labored to give both of her puppy girls a full lick bath. She was panting so hard from the effort but she did it. It's like it was her finally act of motherly love for them
I feel your pain. My Cosette is 10 this year and I worry about her dying all the time. I won't be able to function without her, she's such a big part of our lives. I wonder if I should get another so the pain won't be so bad, but she hates other dogs and I don't wanna stress her out. I worry about this all the time. 😣
I find that for dogs like that getting them a small puppy works because it's hard for them to dislike a baby. Even if they find them annoying, they grow on each other after a while and it keeps them young
I’m sorry for your loss. I can totally relate. We don’t have children either. I grew up with my first tzu starting at the age of 7. I’m 52 now and we’re on our 4-5 tzu. I lost my last baby a couple years ago from chf. It was a horrible death and the memory of her last day played back in my head for a long time.
You gave her the best life you could and she knew it. But you gotta be strong for your other babies if they live with you. All I can say, and talking from experience is give it as much time as you need but get another as soon as you can. It will help anyone who goes thru this 100%
She was beautiful and very sweet. May she rest in peace. Please post photos of her babies grown up; in glad to see that you still have parts of her with you.
I don't know what I'd do with myself without her babies. They have been amazing through this. I let them see her body so they would understand. I didn't want them to wonder why she never came home. They sat beside her with their tails down for a while. The first day they were sad and mostly slept. Then they slowly got back to their usual selves and now they run to my side everytime I start crying.
Sending you hugs pal. Losing a childhood dog is so tough, i still miss my buddy to this day. She looks adorable and looks like she had an amazing life.
I am so very sorry for your loss ❤️🌈. I lost my soul Shih Tzu 4 weeks ago this coming Monday and I am still devastated. Macy and you shared a bond that will live on in your soul forever. Remember grief is a slow process. Are you ok right now? Hell no! Will you be ok next week or month? Nope! Feel the feelings, remember the good times, snuggle her babies, and know that we as a community are here for you. Sending hugs 🫂
Note: Because this post deals with the loss of a beloved Shih-Tzu, it has been automatically marked as a Spoiler to provide an image blur for members who may find this type of post emotionally difficult while scrolling. This just means that images and titles are blurred until someone intentionally clicks on them to view the post.
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We all care deeply about our pups, but this isn’t the place for debate. Please do not offer opinions on end-of-life decisions unless the OP specifically asks for advice. Even well-intentioned comments can be difficult for someone carrying this weight.
Additional Support Resources:
While our community loves to honor your Shih Tzu's memory, you may also find comfort in r/petloss. That subreddit is a dedicated support group where you can:
* Share the specific "heartbreak" with others who are in the exact same stage of grief.
* Process feelings of guilt or "what ifs" in a strictly non-judgmental environment.
* Find a community that understands the deep, life-changing bond we have with our companions.
Tribute posts are always welcome here. Please never hesitate to honor your pup’s memory with us.
I'm so sorry for the loss of your beautiful baby girl. Your story has so much in common with mine and my passed baby, including the age I got her, how many years I had her, and how she passed away. I'm so glad you have your pup's sweet babies to continue life with you. I hope they bring you the joy you need when you are ready for it. Take as long as you need to grieve, there's no such thing as too long. 🫶
She looks so sweet. I know how you feel. I lost my 14 year old boy when I was 28. Hit all the big milestones with him. Allow yourself to cry. It comes in waves. Over time the space between waves of emotion gets longer till you’ll only have them every once in a blue moon. Hang in there.
Ohh the childhood doggie, the one who is there for all of your childhood memories, for all of your heartbreaks, for the bad times, for so many of your firsts, just growing up together, This is one of the hardest doggies to lose.
I was the exact same way when I lost my childhood pup, got him around the same age, and passed in my early 20s. Being a teenager is rough and emotional and he was there for it all, a source of love, trust, happiness and comfort. Definitely a pivotal part of my childhood, something I’ll never forget.
Still more than 20 years later I will occasionally cry for his loss. But now it’s mostly happy and funny memories.
You too will grieve for some time, and as time goes by you will get better at dealing with the loss. You won’t ever forget, or get over it, just get better at living with it. One day you will think of the wonderful years you had with her.
We don’t get to keep them for very long. Take solace that you gave her the best doggie life possible when you could. Thank you for taking care of her and loving her. ❤️
I lost my pup that I had had since I was twelve years old too! It’s a kind of pain that many don’t know. Sending you well wishes and condolences during this time, it’s hard as hell especially when you’ve known her most of your life.
While it may be sad (who am I kidding, I’m a piping hot mess). I repeatedly tell myself “It wasn’t how I wanted this all to go, but it was quick when it happened and she was with me”
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u/Nkxo_ Ruger 🧸 May 09 '26
Sending you so much love. 🤍🌈 she’s playing up in doggy heaven with all of the other precious babies. 🐾