Yesterday I lost my best friend. She had been with me since I was 14 years old. Nothing has ever hurt this much. I don't know how to keep living. When I stop to do my things, my head doesn't stop thinking. I'm writing my undergraduate thesis, and I should have sent the final version on Sunday, but she was sick and I was so sad that I couldn't. Now I feel like I'm falling into a hole I can't get out of. Please, I need advice to help me keep going.
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 - it doesn't mean you've done anything wrong by submitting this post.
A gentle reminder for posts marked as Loss of Pet. This flair is for people who are grieving. These posts are moderated closely to ensure the space stays supportive and safe.
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.
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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.
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I had a little stinker who made it to 18. He was one of one. My in laws had his brother, who passed two years before our Bruce passed. Its been two years since he passed and we still think about him, miss him, and sometimes feel him next to me when Im laying in bed, so does my wife.
I wish I could say it gets easier, but it doesn’t. But were better people now because of them. More patient and curious, more understanding and willing. Even tho theyre gone, we would not be who we are today without them, and for that we should be forever grateful and loving to them. I have two puppies that are Shihtys, we waited a year before we found these twerps. They’re fulfilling animals that bring out the best in us, they just want to love us and be next to us ay all times, and I want to make sure they have a life like no other.
Ever since she went to the hospital, I’ve been hearing her breathing next to me. It’s really painful. I have an undergraduate thesis to submit, and I can’t go on living normally and finish it
I wish I had answers on how to keep going. But I don’t. I still break down sobbing over losing Ellie 2.5 years later. She was only 12 for fucks sake. But just know Molly is being greeted by Ellie in heaven! Sending you big hugs.
14 years is a great life. Full of love and happiness I am sure. Molly would want to uti be happy, and want you to go on, and maybe help another pup have as much love and happiness. Think about the happy times and how truly lucky you and Molly were to have so many. All the best.
She was 10 years old and would have turned 11 on October 29th. I was 14 when I got her. Sorry for the confusion, English isn’t my first language. I’m really sad because she was very healthy, but in the last two weeks she had a fever, then got really sick and died at the hospital. My biggest fear is that she thought I had abandoned her because I was far away from her.
I lost my girl when she was 10 years old back in April, it wasn’t enough time and it never would be even if she lived till it was 18. I bet you gave Molly a good life, and maybe when the time is right you can open up your heart to another tzu.
This is Suki and I’m sure she is playing with Molly rn 🫶🏻🥺🥺🥺
I’m sorry for your lost. Lost my best friend about 4 years ago. Had him since I was a preteen and I miss him everyday.
It’ll never be the same, but things will get better. Reassure that you gave them the best life you could’ve and appreciate the time you had with them and the impact them will have on the rest of your life.
I'm so sorry and unfortunately, most of us have been there. I've learned that even when you don't feel like it's sometimes, you have to keep living. Take care of yourself. She may be gone, but her memories will live on in your heart forever. 🫂❤️
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I’m very sorry for your loss. I lost my Lily of 16 years last month and it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. I miss her every single day and wish she could have lived forever with me. What helps me is remembering that I got to have 16 beautiful years of happy memories with her. I know that not everyone is able to have that much time with their pups so I am grateful and lucky to have had that time together.
I'm so sorry for your loss. It's really unfair that our best friends have to leave us earlier. 2 weeks ago we lost our beloved 16-year-old girl as well, I watched her till she took her last breath. It's the most painful thing when she left and what you're feeling now is the same thing I did when it was fresh, I couldn't even go home and function normally heck I didn't want to go home because everything reminded me of her, she was a big part of half of my life. Now, the pain is still very much present, but I've come to accept the fact that she's already at the rainbow bridge having the best time of her life probably being sassy to her older brother who left 2 years ago and her grandpa who left us around 15 years ago (she was an itty-bitty puppy back then, the cutest, barking at a very large senior German Shepherd at that time). The pain gets lighter, but it doesn't go away. We just learn to live everyday with it.
What's devastating for me now is that her daughter (a senior tzu at 11 years old) is also practically dying right now because of cancer so I can't really understand the grief and mixed feelings I have now. I hope you be strong and push through, I'm sure your girl wouldn't want you to put your life on hold because of her. She'd want to see you succeed.
I’m so sorry, I unfortunately know the feeling. Losing a dog was the worst experience in my life. My shihtzu was 14 when he passed from cancer. He was there for me during my most formidable years. I think I was 15 when we got him. For the first month it will be hard. You’ll have some good days but the grief will come in waves and hit you out of nowhere. Slowly the days between episodes of grief will become further apart. Eventually it only happens every few months, which is where I’m at over 2 years later. Reflect on the good memories you had and remember her for those. Keep going. Cause she would have wanted you to.
We can see Molly was and is deeply loved 🥺 you gave her the best life you could, and a home until the very end. My deepest condolences, please know a complete stranger is tearing up for and feels for you and your Molly. Best of wishes, I hope you find the strength that you need 🫂
I’m sorry for your loss. I said goodbye to two of my best friends this year. It’s one of the hardest things in life. It does get easier with time. And getting a new dog can help too. They can never be replaced, but you can make a new friend and start another journey together.
Your pictures are great and Molly looks like she was a very good girl. I can see her love for you in the photo where you are holding her and shes on her back, and I can see your love for her in how carefully you tucked her into to her bed.
My 16 year old shorkie (Beans) died this summer. She was absolutely my world. A huge part of my self, a huge part of my happiness. It hurt incredibly deeply. Three things got me through it and helped me accept her death. First, if pets lived forever I would have never met her in the first place, I would still have had childhood pets. I know her limited life means that I will get to meet other pets and have relationships and bonds with them too. Second, she had the very best life, and I really did have no regrets about how well I treated her and cared for her. Little doubts about various medical decisions, but at my core I know that Dog was loved and cared for as well as any creature who ever lived. Third, Beans did everything she could to make me happy while she was alive, would often try to comfort or help me. I dont know exactly what I believe (is she in heaven? is her spirit still with me in a real way or just in that shes become a part of my heart forever?) but I do know that she would want me to be happy and carry on. I often didnt believe those things... but I kept telling myself that and I do know they are true. We got a new Shihtzu 2 months ago, and am I slowly falling in love with her too and starting to heal. She doesnt and cant replace Beans (and I wouldnt want her to), but she does help solve the problem of not having a dog.
I will ALWAYS miss my Beans, but after ~5 months I can think about her and smile 95% of the time instead of crying. It will get better I promise, and there will be other dogs, or people or opportunities for you to enjoy and treasure in your life. Molly will always be with you, and it will always hurt, but the hurt will change and soften, and someday thinking about her will do nothing but make you smile. Please hang in there and try your best to take care of yourself. It is what Molly would want.
Your pain and loss of direction is part of your grief. Don't beat yourself up more than the pain you are experiencing now. More people understand that our connection to our furry/hairy companions are deep-rooted and their death in many instances affect us greater than the loss of some of our family members. You grieve as only you know and not how others expect you. Your composure will form again, when only you can tell. It Is very hard to accept the fact of their death. We know logically their life is far shorter than we would want, this however doesn't register. We as individuals are selfish and don't want to lose those we love. When the loss happens, the affect is traumatizing. You will adjust to your new normal, when your ready. Peace unto you and all your loved one touched.
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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 - it doesn't mean you've done anything wrong by submitting this post.
A gentle reminder for posts marked as Loss of Pet. This flair is for people who are grieving. These posts are moderated closely to ensure the space stays supportive and safe.
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.
If you see an insensitive or inappropriate comment, please report it rather than responding. This helps the moderator team address it quickly without further disrupting the post.
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:
Tribute posts are always welcome here. Please never hesitate to honor your pup’s memory with us.
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