Pet Loss & Grief Support

There is a particular kind of grief that arrives when you lose a dog. It does not announce itself with the vocabulary the world gives to other losses. There is no bereavement leave. There is no casserole on the doorstep. There is no public permission to fall apart, to cancel everything, to sit on the floor of your bathroom because that is the only place left that still smells like them.

And yet you fall apart anyway. Because they were not just a pet. They were your routine, your comfort, your first hello in the morning and your last goodnight. They were the heartbeat at the foot of your bed. They were ten or twelve or seventeen years of a life you built together.

At the Good Boy Foundation, we know what this grief is. We have lived it. Our founder spent seventeen years with a dog who taught her, more than anything, what unconditional love looks like in practice. When she was gone, the silence in the house was a physical thing.

This page is for you. It is for the person who cannot stop crying and does not know why everyone else seems fine. It is for the person who feels guilty about how hard they are grieving. It is for the parent trying to explain death to a child who keeps asking when the dog is coming home. It is for anyone who has ever loved a dog and lost them, and needed someone to say: yes. This is real. You are not overreacting. We see you.

• Deuce’s Story

• Why This Loss Hurts the Way It Does

• Disenfranchised Grief: When the World Doesn't Recognize Your Loss

• When Grief Begins Before the Loss: Anticipatory Grief

• What Grief Actually Looks Like

• Taking Care of Yourself

• Coping: What Actually Helps

• Honoring Their Memory

• Talking to Your Children About Pet Loss

• Your Other Dogs Are Grieving Too

• When the Time Comes: Getting Another Dog

• When Grief Lingers: Knowing When to Reach Out

• Support Resources

This was the last time I held my good boys paw. It was the single worst moment of my life. I’m extremely grateful for the support that I had (and still continue to have) from those who love him.

I was scared of the day I’d lose my good boy Deuce for over 16 years. For the final 4 years before we said goodbye, I battled severe anticipatory grief. I was terrified to leave him, I didn’t want to waste a single moment with him. I was hyper vigilant with his health (some say unhealthily so but I beg to differ - it prevented numerous health emergencies) and I tried to make sure that I did everything that he needed me to do. I promised him when the time came, I’d make the right decision for him if needed.

That day came Saturday, March 30th 2024. It was the day I’d been dreading for nearly half of my adult life - and his entire life. He woke up that morning and let me know it was time. Deuce had been diagnosed with Massive Hepatocellular Carcinoma in early December 2023 and we knew we didn’t have long, so we made the most of every single moment together and lived each day as if it were our last together. It might sound like such a beautiful way to live your days together, and it was - but it was extremely painful. I wish I had sought out professional help for my anticipatory grief and how to prepare long before I did.

The day we said goodbye was the worst day of my entire life and I’ll never get over the loss of my soul dog, my best friend, my good boy. I needed a way to process my debilitating grief in a healthy, constructive way - which is why the Good Boy Foundation exists. I want every dog to have the opportunity to have the same amazing life that my good boy did. I want every dog parent to have access to same resources and information that helped guide my decisions and shaped our lives together. I want all dogs to have the loving home they deserve and lastly, but certainly not least, I want to help dog families in need get their dog the cancer diagnostic care and / or treatments that Deuce had access to.

My work in the Good Boy Foundation is dedicated to my best friend Deuce and serves as my way of showing my gratitude and never ending love for my life with him and everything he taught me. I was, and always will be, the luckiest dog mom in the entire world.

My deepest sympathy if you are facing the same heartbreak and grief as I am. I hope the resources I’ve put together can be helpful in some way.

The Good Boy Foundation is committed to providing valuable resources and education to empower pet parents in caring for their furry companions. However, it's important to note that the information provided on our website is intended for educational purposes only and should never replace the advice or treatment provided by a licensed veterinarian. While we strive to offer accurate and helpful guidance, we cannot be held responsible for any outcomes or consequences resulting from the application of this information. Pet parents are encouraged to consult with their veterinarian for personalized guidance and recommendations tailored to their pet's specific needs and circumstances.