A Guided Journal for Working Through Grief and Loss
The Dog I Loved
For the memories, the “should-have” the “what-if” questions, and the life without them.
Thoughtful prompts to help you put words to your loss, explore difficult feelings, and carry your connection with your dog forward at your own pace.
Introductory price ~ Normally $19.99 ~ Instant download
A look inside—and why these prompts matter.
Three pages for feelings that can be difficult to put into words. Preview pages shown from the color PDF.
Guilt and the Decision
Think back to the days before your dog passed. What did you actually know at that time?
Write down what you saw in your dog, and what the vet had told you so far.
Then write down what you were still waiting on: a test result that wasn't back yet, an appointment you couldn't get until the next week, a call from the vet that never came. Stick to what you knew then, not what you learned after they passed.
Page 31 · Guilt and the Decision
Look at what you knew then.
This prompt separates what you knew at the time from what you learned afterward, giving you a place to examine the what-ifs in the context of the choices you actually had.
Why this prompt matters
Hindsight bias can make an earlier decision seem clearer once you know its outcome. Returning to what you knew then invites a more balanced look at that moment.
A moment to reflect
If a decision comes to mind, pause at the moment before you knew its outcome. What information did you have, and what were you still trying to understand? Begin with what you remember.
When Others Do Not Understand
Has anyone made you feel your grief didn't count, that it was "just a dog," that you were taking too long, or that you should already be over it?
What did they say?
Page 41 · When Others Do Not Understand
Your loss deserves room.
Being told it was "just a dog" can add another hurt to the loss. This page makes space to name what was said; the section continues with what you wish you could say and the support you need.
Why this prompt matters
Disenfranchised grief describes a loss that others dismiss or fail to acknowledge. Naming that hurt can help separate someone else's response from the meaning of your relationship.
A moment to reflect
If a conversation comes to mind, notice which words stayed with you. What did you wish that person understood about your dog or your loss? You can begin there, without defending how you feel.
Keeping the Bond
If you could tell your dog one thing today, what would it be?
Write it as a letter to your dog.
Page 57 · Keeping the Bond
Let the love have somewhere to go.
There may still be things you want to tell your dog. A letter offers a place for the words, memories and love that remain part of your life.
Why this prompt matters
Continuing bonds recognizes that a meaningful connection can continue after death. Remembering, writing or keeping a ritual can offer ways to express that connection.
A moment to reflect
Bring to mind an ordinary moment with your dog. If you could speak to them from where you are today, what would you want them to hear? A few words are enough to begin.
Start wherever you are.
No required order. No pressure to fill every page.
Created from knowledge. Written from love.
Paige Cummings holds a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's degree in forensic psychology, with nearly 30 years in the mental health field. Her loss of her heart dog, Charlie Brown, helped shape this journal.
Choose the format that feels right for you.
Instant PDF download
$10.00 Normally $19.99
69-page color PDF · Print at home or write using a PDF annotation app.
Buy the PDFA few questions you may have.
Who is this journal for?
The Dog I Loved is for anyone grieving the death of a dog, whether the loss was sudden or followed a long illness, and whether it happened last week or years ago.
Is this journal informed by grief research?
Yes. The prompts in The Dog I Loved draw on grief research and psychological concepts, including continuing bonds, disenfranchised grief (grief that others dismiss or fail to acknowledge), and the way hindsight can intensify guilt. Paige Cummings, MA, shaped its approach through her psychology education, nearly 30 years in the mental health field, and the loss of her heart dog, Charlie Brown.
Will it help with guilt after euthanasia?
It gives guilt its own space. The "Guilt and the Decision" section helps you separate what you knew at the time from what you learned afterward, so you can look at your choices, including euthanasia, more fairly. Guilt is one of the most common parts of losing a dog. You are not alone in it.
Do I need to complete the pages in order?
No. Start wherever you are. You can begin with the feeling that is strongest today, skip pages, or come back to a prompt later. There is no pressure to fill every page.
How do I use the PDF?
Right after purchase, you'll receive a link to download the 69-page color PDF. You can print it at home, or write directly on the pages on a tablet using a PDF annotation app such as GoodNotes, Notability or Adobe Acrobat Reader.
What's the difference between the PDF and the paperback?
Both contain the same prompts. The PDF downloads instantly and works for printing at home or writing on a tablet. The paperback is a printed journal shipped by Amazon, for anyone who prefers pen and paper.
Can I use this journal with a therapist?
Yes. Use it on your own or bring it into counseling. A prompt, or something you have written, can be a starting point for talking about guilt, memories, changed routines or feelings that are hard to explain. You choose what to share.
Is this journal a replacement for therapy?
No. It is a self-guided tool for reflection, not therapy or medical care. If your grief feels overwhelming or is making daily life hard to manage, please reach out to a counselor, your doctor or a pet loss support line. You can find options on our Pet Loss Support & Grief Resources page.
Is it a good gift for someone who lost their dog?
It can be a meaningful one. It gives a grieving friend a place to put their words and memories, and something lasting to return to. You can order the paperback on Amazon and ship it directly to them, or print the PDF and give it in person.
“You spiral. Hope in the morning, devastation by noon, guilt in the afternoon, gratitude by evening. You accept it on Tuesday and wake up in denial on Wednesday. That isn't failing at grief. That is grief.”
PAIGE CUMMINGS, BS, MA · FOUNDER OF K9 HEARTS
Research Articles
Grief doesn't come with an instruction manual.
These pieces explore the science of pet-loss grief, the frameworks that make sense of what you're feeling, and the healing that becomes possible once you stop grieving on someone else's timeline.
The research behind the grief
Is Pet Loss Grief Real? What Science Says
Yes — and research proves it. Pet loss activates the same brain regions as human loss, with measurable grief in most bereaved owners.
Read → The guiltWhy Do I Feel So Guilty After Losing My Dog?
Guilt is one of the most painful — and least talked about — parts of pet loss. Why it happens, and gentle ways to begin healing.
Read → The timelineHow Long Does Pet Grief Last?
There is no set timeline. Research shows dog-loss grief can mirror the intensity and duration of losing a person. Here's what healing really looks like.
Read → Why it's this hardWhy Does Pet Loss Feel Harder Than Human Loss?
Losing a dog can feel as devastating as losing a person — and research confirms that isn't an overreaction. Here's why it matters.
Read → Surviving petsDo Pets Grieve? What Science Says About Animal Loss
If your other dog is searching the house or eating less, you're not imagining it. What the science says — and how to help you both heal.
Read → Choosing a journalWhat Are the Best Journals for Pet Loss Grief?
What makes a journal truly therapeutic — and how to find the companion that actually fits your healing journey.
Read →
About the Author
Paige is the heart behind K9 Hearts. With nearly 30 years walking alongside people through their hardest moments — and a personal loss that changed everything — she built the resource she wishes had existed when she needed it most.
When her heart dog, Charlie Brown, came into her life, she never imagined losing him at just three years old. That grief — and her B.S. in Psychology and M.A. in Forensic Psychology — became the foundation for everything at K9 Hearts.