Saying Goodbye to your Whippet
We have been dog owners for over 14 years now, and have had our 2 dogs together for 13 years. We collected Jarvis at 7 weeks old – what a beautiful whippet puppy he was! Boy, did we underestimate just how much we would love him- he completely transformed our daily life.
Sadly, we had to say goodbye to him at the beginning of the year, aged 14 year and 2 months old. He had a few health niggles for a while so we knew the time coming. He had a gentle, and peaceful send off with us around him at home. We miss him every day.
Saying goodbye to him was incredibly difficult- even though he had such a lovely, long life. This isn’t an advice read, more a post to share how It feels to go through saying goodbye to your precious whippet. This is in the hope that it helps someone, and to encourage other owners to share their experiences too.
Jarvis
Jarvis was a wonderful and charismatic dog. He gave us endless fun and laughter. He was the most fabulous support during some really difficult times, and my daily cuddle buddy- the best therapy. I always knew that losing him would hit us hard. What I didn’t know was just how overwhelming the sadness would be and that it would physically hurt to miss him. We can’t have him back and he is irreplaceable but this is what has helped so far.
Pictures and films:
We have taken great comfort in watching short videos and looking at photos of Jarvis. I made a little film of some of the wonderful photos and clips we had of him which is a lovely memorial to him, and reminds us of how much fun we had together. I watch it most days- it makes me smile, and it makes me cry! I feel whatever I need is the right reaction.
I have Jarvis’s pyjamas and his fleece which I regularly cuddle and sniff! I have made a bag of Jarvis’s bits- like his blanket, bed, coat and we plan to have a memorial bear out of these at some point.
Keeping him in mind:
Having photos around the house keeps him in mind for me. I understand the constant reminders are not for everyone, but for me its keeping him in our life in the only way we can. We also have lots of whippet memorabilia. For example, we have our felt whippets, some beautiful silhouettes of our boys, clay models (the list goes on)…yes, we have quite a lot but I really like having the reminders all over the house.
Keep Talking:
Talking about Jarvis and sharing stories about him feels good. We have so many funny times to reminisce about. So many silly names for him, all of his food theft victories, and all of the holidays he shared with us. I never want to stop talking about him and recognising the important part he has played in our lives.
We also talk to Jarvis regularly. We tell him about our day and what Finn has been up to.
Taking time:
Grieving for your dog is not something that you can rush through. It will take time and will be icky, uncomfortable and painful. Everyone will say goodbye to their whippet in their own way and at their own pace- be kind to yourself and take what you need, when you need it.
Sadly, you may find that some people just don’t understand how it feels to lose a dog. They are not ‘just a pet’, they are a big part of your family and your everyday life. It is really hard! But many people do, so reach out to those who get it for support. You are not alone!
Self-care:
Grief can play havoc with your mental and physical health. This can be due to being upset, poor sleep quality, eating less/ more, stress, or just not being in your usual routines. You may have been caring for your elderly whippet before saying goodbye? This takes it toll. It is really important to prioritise your self care, however that may look for you. For me it was to re-establish my monthly reflexology sessions, homeopathy and find time for daily meditation. Eating well and keeping hydrated has also helped me to feel healthier.
Rearrange:
This is another really personal choice. I found it helpful to rearrange and declutter- not remove, and definitely not to erase, but sort out things we didn’t need. For example, I packaged up medication not needed and sent it to a vet charity. The medication reminded me of Jarvis feeling poorly so made me sad. It took me a while to move Jarvis’s bed- and I didn’t move it far! Do whatever feels right for you. As previously mentioned, I have a bag of Jarvis’s bits which will be transformed into something beautiful when we feel ready.
Cry, cry and cry again!
I feel better for a good cry sometimes. This is often a happy cry when I am reminded of Jarvis, but sometimes I just miss him. Crying is normal, human and healthy, it releases stress hormones and is calming- there are documented scientific benefits for crying. Letting those around you know how you are feeling and having a hug also helps.
Reach out:
We would love to hear what you found comforting and helpful after saying goodbye to your whippet. Please do let us know in the comments below.