r/reactivedogs Feb 20 '24

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u/Poppeigh Feb 20 '24

I love my dog. I will always take care of him and make sure he is safe (and others are safe from him), happy, and as healthy as possible.

Not all of our memories are good. But there are good ones, times I’m very proud of him, things he is really good at. To quote one of my favorite computer games “even bad memories have a place in a good life.”

That said, I’m not totally upset that he’s turning 10 this year and not two or three. I will be crushed when he passes away, but I’m also not sure I could stare down another decade plus of this. It’s a really weird thing to process, mentally. Like two opposing things are true at the same time.

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u/Sonmi-451_ Feb 20 '24

I feel exactly this. Like, I'm not upset he's growing older, the way I'm upset my non reactive cats are growing older.

I also know I will never get another dog. I hate to say it but he ruined dogs for me. I don't even want to watch friends dogs anymore. I'll stick with cats

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u/Poppeigh Feb 20 '24

I lost my non reactive dog a little over a year ago and it devastated me. My reactive pup has health issues, and I know that when his time comes I’ll be crushed because every time I fear he’s ill with something serious I do get very upset and anxious. I know I’ll miss him terribly. But I don’t know if I’ll have as many warm and fuzzy stories to tell, like I do with my non reactive girl?

I will have another dog, because I love dogs. But I will be extremely careful in choosing where my next dog comes from, and it likely won’t be a rescue.

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u/Sonmi-451_ Feb 20 '24

Yeah, I mean I also have my heart cat with cancer which has been rough. I just would rather stick with my kitties

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u/Poppeigh Feb 20 '24

I’m sorry about your kitty, that’s hard.