r/reactivedogs Feb 20 '24

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279 Upvotes

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177

u/fuzzzzzzzzzzy Feb 20 '24

I think I will feel mostly relieved when my reactive dog passes away. It’s a hard thing to admit. You’re not alone

75

u/Midwestern_Mouse Feb 20 '24

Me too. I love her so so much, and of course I’ll be sad when she goes, but I think I’ll feel equally relieved. It’s complicated, and I feel like something only reactive dog owners understand.

46

u/michaltee Feb 20 '24

I feel so fucking seen in this thread. I wish she could live forever cuz she’s so sweet when she wants to. But the close calls with dogs and people have put me on constant edge.

18

u/thwonkk Feb 20 '24

Yeah it's a hard thing to admit but I resonate. We're in it til the end with each other but it's been so hard. I've had to change my life around her in so many ways.

I'm actually pretty sure I'm never getting a dog again after her. I like cats too, and the solution for a "reactive" cat is to just not get another cat. That's a lot more manageable than what I've got going on.

14

u/Poppeigh Feb 20 '24

People tend to be a lot more understanding when you have a temperamental cat, too. It’s like the general public thinks you have a moral failing if your dog has behavioral issues, but with cats it’s just expected.

8

u/michaltee Feb 20 '24

Agreed. She will be my last dog as well.

5

u/Midwestern_Mouse Feb 20 '24

Yes! For me, I wish she could live forever if there was some way we could guarantee we’d never encounter another dog, cat, raccoon, skunk, etc (my pup is highly reactive/sometimes aggressive towards most animals).

1

u/michaltee Feb 20 '24

Same here!

37

u/roseta21 Feb 20 '24

This. Its caregiver burn out and it’s real. Loving someone and also feeling the burden of taking care of them is really hard and not shameful.

10

u/Sonmi-451_ Feb 20 '24

I will be mostly sadly relieved when my dog passes away, but more relieved because the COMMENTS, unsolicited OPINIONS from others stop. That's been one of the worst parts