Losing a dog is every fur parent’s nightmare, and if you’re one of them, then you will probably do everything that you can to protect your pooch from potential life dangers. But sometimes, life takes a turn, and before you know it, your dog has departed. This is exactly what happened to HGTV personality Ty Pennington with the sudden death of his dog Georgia last weekend.
If you’re a fan of the Emmy-award-winning show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition on ABC, then you know you’re familiar with Pennington as the host of the show. Currently, he is grieving for his dog, as he took to Instagram to announce to his followers the death of Georgia.
Pennington reflected on his social media posts on Instagram and Facebook that life has a cruel way of reminding us how quickly it will be over. Along with the emotional message, Pennighton attached a few of Georgia’s videos as he expressed his hope that Georgia can now have her favorite thing in the world: endless beach walks.
Many followers have also experienced the loss of their dogs supported Pennington in the comment section. But it seems like not only Pennington is experiencing loss as he also shared another image with his other dog, Dory. He mentioned that Dory misses her other friend, highlighting the bond he shares with his two fur babies.
If you’ve been a follower of the host for a while, you can see that he shared his moments with Georgia on his social media accounts. He treats Georgia as his daughter, describing the dog as “Daddy’s little girl” from a Father’s Day post back in 2019.
We’re with Ty during this difficult time in his life of losing someone important to him. May Georgia run freely as she crosses the rainbow bridge.
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How to Cope With Dog Loss
As much as we hate it, there will come a time when our furry friends will have to say goodbye to us. From the day that we got them, we knew that we’d just be with them for a short number of years, so remember to make the most of it so when the time comes, they can rest peacefully without you having any regrets.
Just in case your dog has left you or you’re preparing yourself as you know that your dog will be crossing the rainbow bridge soon, here are some tips for coping:
- Acknowledge it – You have no choice but to acknowledge the fact that your dog is no longer with you. Easier said than done, right? But it doesn’t have to be right away, as it may last for weeks, months, and even years. Be kind to yourself as you adjust to a life without them.
- Continue the relationship with memories – For sure, you have kept hundreds of pictures and videos of your pet, right? Embrace those memories! You can choose to hang a photo of your pet in your bedroom or house where you can see it if you like. But again, be kind to yourself. If you feel that you aren’t ready to do so, it’s okay, as you’re trying to heal and move forward.
- Accept support from other people – For sure, many people love your pet dearly, so it may leave them heartbroken, too. Accept the support that they offer you as they are doing their part to help you feel better. You can also communicate with pet owners who have experienced losing their pets.
- Seek professional help if you need it. You know yourself better than others, and part of taking care of yourself is assessing your emotions and lifestyle. If you feel or suspect a strong emotional hold on you, then you can seek professional mental help from a doctor. Look online for a doctor who could help you, especially the ones who deal with grief or pet loss. Schedule an appointment with them.
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From The Club
Just a few months ago, I lost our family dog, Wolfy, who’s been living with us since my elementary days in school. Now, I’m preparing myself to lose Calix, another childhood dog of mine that I had since I was 9 years old. While writing the story, I noticed how timely it is to my situation, and I feel Ty Pennington’s emotions. Too much heartbreak for this year, but at least I spent my childhood with them. One of the things they don’t tell you about adulthood is the heartbreak from losing your childhood dogs.
