My dog died and I'm needing help

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My dog was euthanised today after he suffered from severe internal bleeding, caused by an aggressive cancer. It was a huge shock and my family are distraught. I'm not much of a crier, but I cried harder than anyone else today at the vet. My dog was basically my best friend and it hit me really hard. I kept having to remind myself that he was dead, that I watched him die and that he's never ever coming back. I know this is a normal part of the grieving process, but I was already having problems in my life and this is like the last anvil on the camel's back.

I've recently had problems with anxiety and low mood from adjusting to life as a graduate and unemployment. I was already having problems with sleeping. Now I don't know how I will cope tonight with my grief. I need a good nights sleep to properly process everything and I don't know if I can. I'm afraid I might do something reckless.

How do I just switch off for a little while?

I'm very sorry for your loss. Losing a pet is horrible. My cat passed away in September 2010, on my second day of high school (where I was already having a traumatic time) and it was way too much for me to handle, so I know how you feel. I think that maybe spend more time with your family or something like that. I hope I'm being helpful. Once again I'm very sorry for your loss.

I feel you,I've lost about 3 cats since I was like 7.

I am sorry that you lost your much loved companion, Mindblind.

Something happened earlier this week that made me think about how it would feel to loose my dogs, it would be significant.

Unfortunately there aren't ways to avoid this type of pain, it is a necessary part of the grief process. Feeling it completely eventually helps with moving forward.
It must be quite difficult though because you are already feeling low moods, a compounded pain as such. Do you have any other pets?

I was prescribed (temporary) sleeping tablets and Valium when I experienced a loss, I don't believe that I could have coped at the time without either of them, being able to sleep was an escape.

You can comfort yourself with the though that, dead, he doesn't suffer anymore.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Mindblind.

Take comfort in the fact that he passed away peacefully.

Amity is right in that the pain is a necessary part of grieving. All I can suggest is that you surround yourself with others. Do you live with your family? Hopefully they can be company for you through the night if you can't sleep.

Sorry for your loss Losing animal family/friends is the worst. It takes time but eventually the grieving will hurt less. Take comfort that your dog lived happy and healthy life and remember them for their companionship.

I... feel for you. Before adulthood, I was closer to my dogs than to people outside my family. Probably still am. So I understand what it is like to lose someone close. But remember, you still have memories. Remember the good times you shared with him/her.

I'm very sorry for your loss.

Can you distract yourself -- movies, TV, puzzles, video games?

If you are afraid of hurting yourself, can you tell friends/family how you feel and ask them to stay with you or keep an eye on you for the night?

If you really need to sleep more than anything, maybe try to do things that normally relax you even if nothing seems to relax you right now. Other ideas are a strong chamomile tea or valerian root.

Sometimes even just lying down in bed wide awake can be restful if you don't get stressed out about the fact that you aren't sleeping. It's not as good as sleep, but it's better than nothing (unless you get stressed out about the fact that you aren't sleeping, in which case it probably does more harm than good).

If nothing else, remember that there is no deadline for processing your feelings and what has happened....it will probably take time and you don't have to do it all right away or right now. You will sleep again eventually even if you can't sleep tonight.

I too am sorry for your loss. I lost my own cat two days ago.
There is only one comfort: Your dog knew, that you loved him. Animals know that sort of things.