Today I had to put my best friend down. Nearly 13 years of loyal love, playfulness, mischief and sometimes just being a royal pain in the ass, but no matter what an a$$hole the world may have thought I was on any particular day, he was always happy to see me. He would swim for HOURS if you'd let him fetching sticks over and over, he used to love to run with me, 1 mile or 5 miles, he was in it for the long run, right next to me, tongue flopping out the side of his mouth looking up. When I lost him last spring, I thought maybe he'd died, then, and his big DUMB (but extremely loyal and loveable) buddy had likely died next to him, reluctant to leave him, but in a few days, they show back up, trotting down the road, just as happy to be home as ever. As he aged, arthritis and small tumors began to become more and more prominent his hearing started to go, but as always, he was loving and loyal he'd never miss and opportunity to nudge in and get an ear scratched, or his chest or belly rubbed. Today with his head in my hands while gently scratching his ears like he always loved, my friend took his last breath. Rest in Peace Charlie, Rest in Peace my loving and loyal friend......
Thanks Guys, He WAS a great dog, I got him for the wife on our 1 month "Anniversary" after we got married. He's been around a long time and through a LOT of things. I'll miss him, but I'm very grateful he's not having to suffer any more, and that he really didn't suffer long.
A very well put send off for your buddy. Very nice. Pets do get to you and it's hard when you have to say goodbye. Rest in peace Charlie and may your new world be full of chasing sticks in the water.
It is very tough to put one down and you feel it for quite a while. Have done it a few times and I think about it daily as my best friend ages and has arthritis and lyme problems. You never hear a complaint from them though. So very sorry to hear of your louse
Thanks Guys, I still have his BIG little brother, but he hasn't eaten a thing in about 48 hours. He knew his buddy wasn't doing well, and he seems a little depressed. If was weird this morning gettin' up and not worrying about stepping on him as he would often lay next to my bed and be under my feet in the mornings.... Gotta take my girls into town so we can get flowers to put on his grave later (their request).
Doug, I know exactly what you are going through after losing my best friend in Aug.... I can't say anything to make it hurt less, just be glad that even though it sucks to loose him, atleast he was in your life for as long as he was and the tears you shed are just a reminder of how amazing of a friend he was!
Thanks guys, I got my BIG dog eating again last night, he's still pretty depressed acting, not a whole lot of tail wag, and still paces around like he's waiting for his buddy to come home. I got a little memorium stone order to put on his grave, figured $25 is a small price to pay for the dog that was like my baby for many years before kids. And as expected, the kids want to know when we can get a new dog "so Jake (my other dog) is not lonely." Gonna have to wait at least until spring, no fun trying to house train a puppy during deer season, and when it's gettin' ready to get REALLY muddy outside.... The support is much appreciated. The wife (unbeknownst to me) took a few pic's of him with my phone as I was saying good bye to him, still brings a tear to my eyes..... If there was any better friend to a man than his dog, I've yet to ever find it.....
This is getting very hard to read, for some reason my vision is getting blurry. So sorry to hear and I have been there myself. No fun, but for the best.
Sorry to hear that buddy! I've been there as most have and its not easy. At least you didn't hold on too long like some owners do hoping that he would get better. I had to put down my Golden retriever that I had for exactly 13 years on my birthday last March...it sucks!
