I didn't take care of my dog's health properly so he died ...   

how didn't you take care of your dogs healthy properly? Did you see signs he wasn't well but ignored them, if so why? We all can blame ourselves for lots of things but what good does it do? Did you ever make the dog happy? Focus on the happier times. Guilt helps no one does it? Maybe you've learnt a valuable lesson. If you weren't there, well it's not your fault and these things happen so your not alone in that respect. Focous on the happier times and maybe you won't feel so guilty because you evidently weren't guilty of not caring but maybe you took him for granted? Lifes lessons can be cruel but they can make us stronger in the long run. Goodluck

You were away and you can't blame yourself for it.. i know it must be bad but people and animals must eventually die, some live long and some die young, there's nothing that we can do to change it.. sheer up :)

sounds like me a year ago. i left my dog because i needed to go to my dad's city. i needed to go to the embassy and submit some documents. but i wasn't able to go home right away since there are lots of documents that has to be finished.

my mum had been calling me telling me to go home since my dog lost interest already in eating and sleeping inside our home. he really missed me. when we were still together, i play with him, feed him, bathe him, walk him around, and even, he sleeps beside me. and i think we were so attached that he was waiting for me all the time to go back home. and i decided not to yet and finish the documents before going home.

sadly, 2 weeks before i arrived home, he died. it was so so sad. we only have few pictures together. but i love the photos. remind me of the good old days when we were still together.

years might pass, but just like you, i will keep on missing my dog since he had been such a special part of me and will always be.