The loyalty and love of a dog are rare gifts that you may be lucky enough to experience in your life. The emotional attachment to a pet is almost instant and keeps growing throughout your relationship. Unfortunately, humans typically outlive dogs by far.
There may come a time when you have to bid your final goodbye to your beloved furry friend. Below are some carefully selected songs about losing your dog to help guide and support you through your grief.
“Angel” by Sarah McLachlan
Song Year: 1993
Though this song is not specifically about dogs, it became famous as the song in Sarah McLachlan’s ASPCA commercial, and it is admittedly very fitting. “Angel” talks about finding peace from heartbreak in the wake of a loved one’s death. Since it’s so commonly associated with the passing of beloved pets, this makes it one of the more popular funeral songs for dogs.
It’s a beautiful tribute to how those we meet on Earth, even our dogs, can continue to stay with us even after they have passed on.
“My Dog and Me” by John Hiatt
Song Year: 2011
Every dog owner shares a special bond with their pet. Most dog loss songs focus on the moment’s sadness and grief. But this song by John Hiatt is more of an acceptance song that celebrates the extraordinary experiences a dog brought to the lives of its human family.
The song emphasizes the beauty and freedom you receive living with a beloved dog.
“It’s Just a Dog” by Mo Pitney
Song Year: 2016
This is one of the most well-written songs about pet loss. It’s guaranteed to speak directly to the heart of anyone grieving the loss of a dog. The heartfelt message in this song brings out mixed emotions about the good and bad times you may have shared with your dog. It’s a song that acknowledges the pain of losing your most loyal furry friend.
“Shannon” by Henry Gross
Song Year: 1976
Henry Gross emotionally serenades her passed-on dog, Shannon, in this song. The lyrics explain the low flow of motion the singer endures during mourning but brings a positive switch, imagining how peaceful and happy the dog must be swimming away on a beautiful island, free from pain.
This breathtaking song beautifully describes the feelings that losing a dog brings to any family.
“I Love My Dog” by Cat Stevens
Song Year: 1971
Ironically, a singer named Cat is the one expressing his special bond with his dog. Who says dogs and cats can’t love each other? This simple song doesn’t miss a beat in describing the loyalty of a dog, something that you can’t compare to that of humans.
“I Love My Dog” is the first song that Cat Stevens released. It is a clear show of hidden talent that not only introduced the world to a fantastic singer but also helped thousands of people celebrate the presence of their dogs, whether alive or in heaven.
“Without Words” by The Spectra 2014 Singers
Song Year: 2016
You have never truly loved until you live with or own a dog. Dogs are amazing creatures that show us what unconditional love is all about. While humans may be more intelligent, dogs teach us how to love deeply, an emotional intelligence many people struggle to find.
This beautiful ensemble pays homage to a service dog who just passed away. The song has a unique way of showing everyone how much the dog meant to the owner.
“Cracker Jack” by Dolly Parton
Song Year: 1974
Getting a dog as a gift may be one of the most cherished memories of many childhoods. If you grew up with a dog, it surely became your best friend. This song has a euphoric way of expressing the bond between a child and their furry friend.
Dolly’s song expresses and honors the time she shared with Cracker Jack, a dog that was a playmate, treasured companion, and the entire world for the kid they grew up with.
“Beyond The Rainbow Bridge” by Trina Belamide
Song Year: 2018
After losing your dog, you may have an overwhelming feeling of grief, but you will probably also wonder if your dog is safe and happy on the other side. This song vividly helps put things into perspective. It’s a song that recognizes how hard it must be to let go of your dog but encourages pet owners to be happy that their friend is free from pain and sorrow.
The song also offers reassurance that while your dog may no longer be with you, it will continue to thrive in a different domain and will be waiting for you.
“Wake Me Up” by Boyce Avenue and Jennel Garcia
Song Year: 2014
Initially sung by Avicii, “Wake Me Up” is a song that applies mainly to human situations. However, when Boyce Avenue and Jennel Garcia worked on a ‘Wake Me Up’ cover song, it suddenly won the hearts of everyone who had suffered a loss.
The piano and mellow voices bring out a sense of sadness many feel when they lose a rescue pup or a dog you brought from the shelter.
“Sometimes I Don’t Mind” by The Suicide Machine
Song Year: 2000
‘Sometimes I Don’t Mind’ is a song acknowledging that dogs can be super messy. It’s not a song meant to mourn a dog’s departure, but instead aims to memorize the chaotic mess owning a dog can sometimes be.
This modern rock song performed so well that it made it to number 22 on Billboard’s Modern Rock Chart. The song emphasizes one’s love for their dog despite the inconveniences it may bring.
“Old Grey Dog” by Jimmy Scott
Song Year: 2015
Most people have faced the difficult decision of having to put their dog down. Whether it is a decision you must make to stop your dog’s suffering from health issues or for some other valid reason, it’s never easy to say goodbye to your four-legged friend.
This song will remind you of the good times you’ve shared. It focuses on a dog’s last days, reminding you of what life has been like for your dog. It reassures you of your avid love and caregiving for your dog, despite the unfortunate circumstances.
“I Don’t Hurt as Much as I Used to” by The Jerry Schmitt Band
Song year: 2013
If you love country music, the sounds of a guitar, and your dog, this song will speak to your core!
Some choose to cry when they lose their dog. Others prefer to celebrate a life well lived. We all grieve differently. This traditional country song oozes raw emotion as it carefully elaborates what it is like to lose your dog while still celebrating the wonderful times that you and your pal had together.
“The Dog Song” by Nellie McKay
Song Year: 2004
The melodies of this song were adorning the airwaves for a while, but it was not until Nellie McKay performed it during a TED Talk show that the song became a viral sensation.
Animal enthusiasts, particularly dog owners, cannot help but sway to this song that expresses the power dogs have to impact human life. Nellie McKay elaborates on how her dog helped her live life to the fullest and reveals how sad she was when she had to put her dog to sleep because of old age.
“Good Dogs” by Jameson Rodgers
Song Year: 2021
If you are an adult who has lived with and grown up with dogs, you’ve probably endured the loss of a dog several times. This song appreciates the presence of dogs in our lives but also recognizes that dogs don’t live long enough.
The song speaks to how good dogs live short lives and describes the hurt that dog loss brings to loved ones.
“So Will I (100 Billion X)” by Hillsong UNITED
Song Year: 2018
Hillsong United predominantly releases Christian praise and worship songs, but “So Will I” may apply in any time of tragedy. The religious perspective for anyone facing dog loss can summon an ethereal state of being and comfort for those who believe that God will be taking care of your dog until you can do so again yourself.
It’s like you are in a different dimension; just you, the song, and your raw emotions. This song allows you to process sadness, sit in it, and finally release it.
“Like My Dog” by Billy Currington
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAmOWCwnQJI
Song Year: 2010
This is a fun love song that recognizes the particular love dogs have for us. It’s massive and unconditional. This country-themed song describes how a guy asks his girlfriend to love him as his dog does.
This may not be a song that’s purposely aimed at commemorating the life of a dog after a loss but instead chooses to celebrate the immense love dogs have for us. It is an excellent song for celebrating a dog’s life, whether it is alive or has passed on.
“I’ll Be Seeing You” by Jimmy Durante, A Funeral Songs For Dogs
Song Year: 1944
“I’ll Be Seeing You” is one of the oldest songs recorded about a dog. While the instruments and recording aren’t as advanced as they are now, it’s exciting to hear a simple song that works as the perfect funeral song for your furry best friend.
If you like old-school music and identify with the lower East Side parts of New York, this song will bring back heartfelt memories of spending time with your dog in your neighborhoods.
“Maggie’s Song” by Chris Stapleton
Song Year: 2020
If you are looking for a song that illustrates a dog’s beautiful life and passing with incredible detail, this is the song for you. The lyrics speak about how Maggie was the most loyal and protective dog. The song also describes how the love of a dog begins and never wavers until you have to say goodbye.
It’s a song that deeply understands the unbreakable bond a dog has with their owner.
“Ocean Eyes” by Billie Eilish
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viimfQi_pUw
Song Year: 2016
“Ocean Eyes” is a song that took the world by storm. Its sentimental allure will quickly bring tears to your eyes when you imagine the gaze of your dog whenever they saw you unwell or when you were about to leave, albeit briefly.
Though the original meaning was probably about a lover, this song reminds us of a dog’s sweet, loving eyes and how they followed us throughout life.
“Chasing Butterflies” by Frankly Speaking
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtrboFMqbl4
Song Year: 2017
Don’t let this song’s joyful sound fool you. Once you hear and understand the lyrics, you’ll feel great sadness imagining what it must be like for your dog to be away from you and how hard it is to lose a dog.
The song is about someone who lost his dog and is hoping that it is now chasing butterflies in heaven. Frankly Speaking lost his dog to lymphoma in 2016 and decided to write this enchanting song to celebrate his friend’s life and express his grief over the loss of his pet.
“A Dog’s Heart” by CRD Creative
Song Year: 2017
Here’s another fantastic country gem that praises dogs from start to finish. Towards the song’s end, the writer says that the dog is long gone, but still emphasizes the importance of owning a dog. We can learn valuable lessons from our pets, no matter how brief their time with us is.
The song recognizes the irreplaceable gifts that a dog brings. It says that while we can’t become old friends with our dogs, we can at least try and live like them.
“Tears in Heaven” by Eric Clapton
Song Year: 1992
To love unconditionally is the only thing a dog knows how to do best. This song will relate to anyone who lost a dog who wasn’t only a pet but also a companion, running buddy, cuddle buddy, hunting partner, and so on.
Different variations of this song exist, but the version that will capture your heart is the acoustic one. “Tears in Heaven” is a popular song for many different occasions of grief and makes one of the best funeral songs for dogs.
“Dogs in Heaven” by David Gregg
Song Year: 2020
The idea of not knowing where your dog is or how they are once they die can be scary. This song does not miss a beat and imagines how dogs experience heaven once they pass away.
It’s a song that offers much-needed reassurance that your dog is okay and is no longer unhappy, sad, or suffering.
“My Old Dog”-Ron Tankersley
Song Year: 2013
Nothing beats the guilt and sadness of making the decision to put your dog down. The mind doesn’t seem to comprehend why you have to do this. It’s a difficult time that doesn’t get any easy, even if you’ve had to do it before.
“My Old Dog” is a song that offers encouragement and assurance to people who’ve had to make the difficult decision to put their dog to sleep because of old age. It helps you understand your pet’s pain and why saying goodbye is the best thing to do.
“I’ll See You Again” by Westlife
Song Year: 2018
Another old-school gem, Westlife are famous for their love songs. “I’ll See You Again” is a song that can apply in various scenarios involving the loss of a loved one.
Whether this loved one is a human or a pet, this song tells you that your loved one is not fully gone, and while you can’t see them in person anymore, you will see each other again when the time comes.
“Stay” by Rihanna and Micky Ekko
Song Year: 2012
The heartbreak and desperation of being unable to help save your dog or bring him back after they pass on are unimaginable. “Stay” is a song that gives voice to the overwhelming sadness, grief, and emotions one experiences during loss.
“I Will Follow You into the Dark” by Death Cab for Cutie
Song Year: 2005
Saying goodbye is not a desirable option for many, but it’s something you must do when your dog dies. This song by Death Cab for Cutie promises that while you can do little to change the natural order of life, you can follow your loved one and allow them to guide you to the light when it’s your turn to cross over to the spiritual realm.
Top Funeral Songs For Dogs, Final Thoughts
Death is inevitable, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t hard. Your dog is one of the best friends you’ll ever have and you’ll never forget your love for them. In your quest for a way to cope with your emotions, this heartfelt list of funeral songs for your dog may help you feel a bit better and begin healing from your grief.
If you’re looking for more songs to celebrate the animals in your life, check out our songs with animals in the title or songs about dogs.