Severe anxiety about losing my dog.

[stingray_lover]

I am finishing my first semester of my freshman year in college. I live on campus but my family live only 45 minutes away. My sister was away from home for a little more than two months. When she came back she looked completely different from the last time my family saw her. My dog had been with us for almost 4 years at that point. He grew up being passed around from shelter to shelter. We are not sure of his age but he spent most of his life being abused in the shelters. He did not seem to recognize her as she walked through the door. Normally he is very excited and hyper, but gentle, whenever anyone from my immediate family walks into the house. His looked very apprehensive and on edge when coming up to her.

I am the first-born of my family. I was 13/14ish whenever we adopted him. Because I was older and used to not having a dog in the house it took me around a year to really warm up to him. Now I cannot imagine life without him. I love him an infinite amount. When I am around my friends' dogs I react to them the same way I did when we first got my dog, almost annoyed when they try to interact with me, even just them being friendly and gentle. Whenever I left for college my awareness of how much I truly loved him skyrocketed. I knew I would miss him but did not realize how much. I try to come home every other weekend to see family, which is a major part of me coming back, and to see him because I am afraid he will forget who I am if I am away too long. The attachment is not severe. I don't cancel plans to be around him unless he is sick. It is not hindering my ability to control my emotions in public.

Because we do not know his exact age is a worrying me. I like to have a plan and to be able to mentally prepare for things that I know will be hard emotionally or cause anxiety. It is not to the point of worrying that my parents that are in their 30s dying. Only things that I know will happen in the near-future cause the urge to prepare. He has shown signs of aging which is why I have started to be anxious about him passing away. Sometimes the thought of it is intrusive but I am always able to either redirect or distract myself from the thought.

I guess what I am wanting to ask is if this is normal for people with pets and if anyone has advice that would help ease my worrying?

[Roxylox]

Hi, me again. I feel that way big-time about my dog who will be 10 next year

Get sad when l lookat her and think of life without her. She is still very lively though.

My consolation is to enjoy my time with her as much as I can.

[stingray_lover in reply to Roxylox]

I am home for Thanksgiving break and I savoring every little second I have with him. Reminds me not to take the little things for granted.

[bethelbee]

Try to enjoy the time you have with your dog. Of course we all wonder how long will they be with us, but don't let that interfere with your time with him now. I have a 17 year old cat who is still pretty healthy and though I know she won't be around forever I enjoy the time with her now.

[Daniel_1976]

I feel the same with my pets, sometimes I get myself looking at the older one and picturing myself without him. The only thing that I can do in this present moment is to love him and try to make him happy every day.

Do not hold yourself from loving , because you are afraid of loosing it in the future.

[Daveacr1959]

Just visit your dog more and snuggle him . Get 30-60 minutes of daily cardio exercise to produce endorphins. Take a 5 minute pure cold shower daily. It helps me with anxiety and depression. Wim Hof breathing exercises twice daily on you tube. Go online look at cold shower daily therapy.