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I’ve never had the heart to tell the stories of the dogs that I have lost in my life on this blog. Our pets can become so vital to our lives that losing them feels like a part of ourselves has died. Maybe that’s why we wonder about dogs dying, why they sometimes wander away to pass, where they go when they are gone.

These 25 quotes may offer some comfort to anyone who has gone through this with their furry companion. Some offer comfort for those who just lost a pet, while others simply remind you how wonderful dogs are so that you can celebrate the life of your late friend. No matter what stage of grief you are in, it’s always nice to look back and remember your dog and all the good times you had together.

Dog’s Quotes Books On Amazon

Goodbye, Friend: Healing Wisdom for Anyone Who Has Ever Lost a Pet Heart Dog: Surviving the Loss of Your Canine Soul Mate The Heaven of Animals For Every Dog an Angel I'll Always Love You Carson - BEADWORK GARDEN STEPPING STONE - PET FOOTPRINT $9.99 $8.99 $16.35 $10.45 $6.75 $19.45 - - - - - - Buy on Amazon Buy on Amazon Buy on Amazon Buy on Amazon Buy on Amazon Buy on Amazon Goodbye, Friend: Healing Wisdom for Anyone Who Has Ever Lost a Pet $9.99 - Buy on Amazon Heart Dog: Surviving the Loss of Your Canine Soul Mate $8.99 - Buy on Amazon The Heaven of Animals $16.35 - Buy on Amazon For Every Dog an Angel $10.45 - Buy on Amazon I'll Always Love You $6.75 - Buy on Amazon Carson - BEADWORK GARDEN STEPPING STONE - PET FOOTPRINT $19.45 - Buy on Amazon Last update on 2020-02-17 at 00:57 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Many of these quotes reference heaven, but feel free to interpret that however it comforts you. Your dog may be in heaven, or they may simply be resting at peace eternally; whichever thought makes you the most comfortable is just right.

Quotes for Losing Your Dog

(1) “The bond with a dog is as lasting as the ties of this earth can ever be.” – Konrad Lorenz

(2) “I have sometimes thought of the final cause of dogs having such short lives and I am quite satisfied it is in compassion to the human race; for if we suffer so much in losing a dog after an acquaintance of ten or twelve years, what would it be if they were to live double that time?” – Sir Walter Scott

(3) “If there is a heaven, it’s certain our animals are to be there. Their lives become so interwoven with our own, it would take more than an archangel to detangle them.” – Pam Brown (In 2014, the Pope officially declared that dogs do go to heaven!)

(4) “Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.” – Roger Caras

(5) “I guess you don’t really own a dog, you rent them, and you have to be thankful that you had a long lease.” – Joe Garagiola

(6) “Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.” – Anatole France

(7) “There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are the messengers of overwhelming grief, of deep contrition, and of unspeakable love.” – Washington Irving

(8) “To call him a dog hardly seems to do him justice, though inasmuch as he had four legs, a tail, and barked, I admit he was, to all outward appearances. But to those who knew him well, he was a perfect gentleman.” – Hermione Gingold

(9) “Not the least hard thing to bear when they go from us, these quiet friends, is that they carry away with them so many years of our own lives.” – John Galsworthy

(10) “The pain passes, but the beauty remains.” – Pierre Auguste Renoir

(11) “Grief doesn’t have a plot. It isn’t smooth. There is no beginning and middle and end.” – Ann Hood

(12) “Dogs come into our lives to teach us about love, they depart to teach us about loss. A new dog never replaces an old dog, it merely expands the heart. If you have loved many dogs your heart is very big.” – Erica Jong

(13) “Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal.” – From an Irish Headstone

(14) “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” – Dr. Suess

(15) “Once you have had a wonderful dog, a life without one is a life diminished.” – Dean Koontz

(16) “Dogs have a way of finding the people who need them, filling an emptiness we don’t even know we have.” – Thom Jones

(17) “You think dogs will not be in heaven? I tell you, they will be there long before any of us.” – Robert Louis Stevenson

(18) “I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive.” – Gilda Radner

(19) “The reality is that you will grieve forever. You will not ‘get over’ the loss of a loved one; you will learn to live with it. You will heal and you will rebuild yourself around the loss you have suffered. You will be whole again but you will never be the same. Nor should you be the same nor would you want to.” – Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

(20) “Nobody can fully understand the meaning of love unless he’s owned a dog. A dog can show you more honest affection with a flick of his tail than a man can gather through a lifetime of handshakes.” – Gene Hill

(21) “Heaven goes by favor. If it went by merit, you would stay out and your dog would go in.” – Mark Twain

It may be a little cheesy, but so many dog lovers have found comfort in The Rainbow Bridge that I couldn’t offer up quotes without including it. There are many versions of this poem around the world, written between the decades of 1980 and 1990, but all have the same message.

“Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

“When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

“All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

“They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

“You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together, never again to be separated.”

— Author unknown

(22) “There is no pain so great as the memory of joy in present grief.” – Aeschylus

(23) “Sometimes losing a pet is more painful than losing a human because in the case of the pet, you were not pretending to love it.” – Amy Sedaris

(24) “If having a soul means being able to feel love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals are better off than a lot of humans.” – James Herriot

(25) “Not the least hard thing to bear when they go from us, these quiet friends, is that they carry away with them so many years of our own lives.” – John Galsworthy

Related Content:

Explaining a Dog’s Death to Your Child(Video)

My Dog’s Dog Just Died – How Can I Help?

When You Lose a Dog, Why Does It Hurt So Much?

Don’t Rush the Process[easyazon_image align=”right” cart=”n” cloak=”y” height=”110″ identifier=”160868086X” locale=”US” localize=”y” nw=”y” src=”https://SimplyForDogs.com/public_html/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/51B2BtBC6oUL.SL110.jpg” tag=”natur0da-20″ width=”68″]

That last quote always really gets to me. My pets really do define years of my life. From my childhood dog to Janice and Leroy, every one of my memories as a person has included the love of an animal friend. I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t exploring with a pet, taking care of a pet, snuggling up with a pet, and racing home to be with my pet when I had to be away from them. When they die, it is easy to feel that they are taking your life with them.

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Last time I spoke about this, I recommended a book that had helped me deal with a pet death before. This time, I wanted to offer you a few more books to try out that I have read since then, as well as some things that you may find comfort in having nearby:

“[easyazon_link identifier=”160868086X” locale=”US” nw=”y” tag=”natur0da-20″ cart=”n” cloak=”y” localize=”y” popups=”n”]Goodbye, Friend[/easyazon_link]” by Gary Kowalski is an amazing book that really gets to the heart of the matter in a compassionate and understanding way. It is the one I would recommend first to anyone who came to me and said that their dog had just passed away.[easyazon_image align=”right” cart=”n” cloak=”y” height=”110″ identifier=”0996353305″ locale=”US” localize=”y” nw=”y” src=”https://SimplyForDogs.com/public_html/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/51EkGpauy0L.SL110-1.jpg” tag=”natur0da-20″ width=”69″]

Another book that has really helped is Roxanne Hawn’s “[easyazon_link identifier=[easyazon_link identifier=”0996353305″ locale=”US” nw=”y” tag=”natur0da-20″ cart=”n” cloak=”y” localize=”y” popups=”n”]”Heart Dog: Surviving the Loss of Your Canine Soul Mate”[/easyazon_link]. I don’t even want to think about myself if I lost Leroy and Janice, but for anyone who has had a truly in-depth connection to their pet, this may help you begin to heal. Some dogs can feel closer to us than people, as I certainly know. This book acknowledges that relationship and tackles grief from this point of view.

Children Losing Pets[easyazon_image align=”right” cart=”n” cloak=”y” height=”110″ identifier=”0312553692″ locale=”US” localize=”y” nw=”y” src=”https://SimplyForDogs.com/public_html/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/51gTA5Ot5YL.SL110.jpg” tag=”natur0da-20″ width=”110″]

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If you have children, or know a child who just lost a dog, the hurt they feel can be even stronger, if you can believe that. Children have incredibly close bonds with their pets – for kids, pets truly are friends on an equal level. There is no “owner and pet” in their minds, just best friends, and companions. Imagine losing your best friend, partner in crime, protector, and sibling all in one, and you have an idea of what it must feel like for a child who was close to their dog to face this loss.[easyazon_image align=”right” cart=”n” cloak=”y” height=”110″ identifier=”0965922529″ locale=”US” localize=”y” nw=”y” src=”https://SimplyForDogs.com/public_html/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/51y7PkolubL.SL110.jpg” tag=”natur0da-20″ width=”83″]

For some children, time will heal all. For others, you may want to consider helping them through the process with books like “[easyazon_link identifier=”0312553692″ locale=”US” nw=”y” tag=”natur0da-20″ cart=”n” cloak=”y” localize=”y” popups=”n”]The Heaven of Animals[/easyazon_link]” by Nancy Tillman, “[easyazon_link identifier=”0965922529″ locale=”US” nw=”y” tag=”natur0da-20″ cart=”n” cloak=”y” localize=”y” popups=”n”]For Every Dog an Angel[/easyazon_link]” by Christine Davis, and “[easyazon_link identifier=”0517572656″ locale=”US” nw=”y” tag=”natur0da-20″ cart=”n” cloak=”y” localize=”y” popups=”n”]I’ll Always Love You[/easyazon_link]” by Hans Wilhelm. Reading these together may help your child open up, or at least begin to understand and process [easyazon_image align=”right” cart=”n” cloak=”y” height=”85″ identifier=”0517572656″ locale=”US” localize=”y” nw=”y” src=”https://SimplyForDogs.com/public_html/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/519PyXG3P1L.SL110.jpg” tag=”natur0da-20″ width=”110″]what has happened.

You may also want to talk to your child about the process of getting a new pet. Remind them that, when your family does get a new pet, it won’t be to replace their best friend who passed. It’s simply a new family member to love in addition to loving the memory of the old pet. It may take them time to appreciate the new dog, but give the dog a chance to win your child over; as one quote says above, dogs have a way of finding those that need them the most.

Keep Them Nearby[easyazon_image align=”right” cart=”n” cloak=”y” height=”110″ identifier=”B008O5FDTQ” locale=”US” localize=”y” nw=”y” src=”https://SimplyForDogs.com/public_html/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/51SBb2MIQL.SL110.jpg” tag=”natur0da-20″ width=”107″]

Sometimes all you need to feel the presence of your beloved late pet is a visual reminder around your home. Keep their collar somewhere you can see it, or leave their favorite leash on the hook by the door if that helps you feel like they are always with you. There are also lovely gifts that can celebrate your pet’s life in a way that you’ll always remember them, or that you can offer someone who recently lost a pet.

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[easyazon_link identifier=”B008O5FDTQ” locale=”US” nw=”y” tag=”natur0da-20″ cart=”n” cloak=”y” localize=”y” popups=”n”]Stepping stones[/easyazon_link] for the garden you both loved to play in, for example, are a lovely way [easyazon_image align=”right” cart=”n” cloak=”y” height=”110″ identifier=”B06XKJ3BF7″ locale=”US” localize=”y” nw=”y” src=”https://SimplyForDogs.com/public_html/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/51Ylv4cQ5vL.SL110.jpg” tag=”natur0da-20″ width=”110″]to remind yourself of all the good times you had together. Keep your pup’s face nearby always with a [easyazon_link identifier=”B06XKJ3BF7″ locale=”US” nw=”y” tag=”natur0da-20″ cart=”n” cloak=”y” localize=”y” popups=”n”]pet frame[/easyazon_link] so that you get a regular reminder to smile at their goofy antics or loveable demeanor.

Many people also make jewelry out of their dog’s tags or find other unique ways to keep their pets close at hand. [easyazon_image align=”right” cart=”n” cloak=”y” height=”110″ identifier=”B01NAYQLQU” locale=”US” localize=”y” nw=”y” src=”https://SimplyForDogs.com/public_html/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/61Z4q2BlKkML.SL110.jpg” tag=”natur0da-20″ width=”107″][easyazon_link identifier=”B01NAYQLQU” locale=”US” nw=”y” tag=”natur0da-20″ cart=”n” cloak=”y” localize=”y” popups=”n”]Scrapbooks[/easyazon_link] of your pet’s life may be a wonderful way to revisit your favorite memories when the time is right.

If you chose to have your dog cremated, you might want to consider finding a lovely urn to keep them nearby. Your [easyazon_image align=”right” cart=”n” cloak=”y” height=”110″ identifier=”B00DY6KYWQ” locale=”US” localize=”y” nw=”y” src=”https://SimplyForDogs.com/public_html/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/41UM2BNJ5CGL.SL110.jpg” tag=”natur0da-20″ width=”78″]family may feel closer to them if they are “in the room”, so to speak. [easyazon_link identifier=”B00DY6KYWQ” locale=”US” nw=”y” tag=”natur0da-20″ cart=”n” cloak=”y” localize=”y” popups=”n”]Pet urns[/easyazon_link] can make you smile, knowing that your dog is still resting easy and looking over the family home.

Related Content:

Explaining a Dog’s Death to Your Child(Video)

My Dog’s Dog Just Died – How Can I Help?

When You Lose a Dog, Why Does It Hurt So Much?

Dog’s Quotes Books On Amazon

Goodbye, Friend: Healing Wisdom for Anyone Who Has Ever Lost a Pet Heart Dog: Surviving the Loss of Your Canine Soul Mate The Heaven of Animals For Every Dog an Angel I'll Always Love You Carson - BEADWORK GARDEN STEPPING STONE - PET FOOTPRINT $9.99 $8.99 $16.35 $10.45 $6.75 $19.45 - - - - - - Buy on Amazon Buy on Amazon Buy on Amazon Buy on Amazon Buy on Amazon Buy on Amazon Goodbye, Friend: Healing Wisdom for Anyone Who Has Ever Lost a Pet $9.99 - Buy on Amazon Heart Dog: Surviving the Loss of Your Canine Soul Mate $8.99 - Buy on Amazon The Heaven of Animals $16.35 - Buy on Amazon For Every Dog an Angel $10.45 - Buy on Amazon I'll Always Love You $6.75 - Buy on Amazon Carson - BEADWORK GARDEN STEPPING STONE - PET FOOTPRINT $19.45 - Buy on Amazon Last update on 2020-02-17 at 00:57 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The most important part is that you feel as though you can remember them without the hurt. That will take time, but I promise that one day you’ll be able to look back with happiness.