[Closed] Saying good bye to your best mate

My chap is only 2 and a half and it makes me feel sick even thinking about this ☹️

They really are just the best thing in the world for me. No idea what to say to help sorry.

They really are the best!

Ah mate, their time with us is much too short.
9 months since my Hope had to go and I still well up.
Just got to remember all those good times.

I feel for you, deeply. Never thought I was a 'dog person' until some five years ago when we got our first, followed by another less than a year later.

I genuinely dread the day.

It’s just ****ing brutal, loads of love

but also part of the whole cycle of life kinda thing

Was he happy? You betcha. Awesome

We took our Sadie for her last trip to the vets in 2004, still think about her when I get the last digestive out of the packet (she always got that one). That was the hardest decision we ever had. But the only one we could have made.

As above, remember the good times.

A bit like chipster, every time I have a toffee I think of my old dog who was put down about 15 years ago, She absolutely loved toffee. Just remember all the fun you had together.

I feel your pain, man this is THE toughest gig there is.
It's been 18 months and there are still moments, my bestest mate in the world ever, used to go to work in my van with me.
Try not to feel guilty, that's a monster you don't want to poke.
I'm a hairy arsed bloke who has been known to brawl in the street, but I sobbed and sobbed and sobbed.

We've come back home from a week away and it feels so odd not having any guinea pigs chirping away in the lounge pen, sadly our last pig Pepsi died between breakfast and dinner on Weds.

Interactive pets are great at cheering us up.

I have done it 3 times and it has destroyed me every time.

The first we did at the vets and she was shaking as soon as we got into the waiting room, it was almost as if she knew what was happening.

The next two we had the vet come to the house. It was an absolute nightmare waiting for them to arrive but the girls were in their home for their final minutes.

I really feel for you. It is an absolutely dreadful thing to go through but it is always the right time. I just wish we could do it for humans, blame the bloody church for that.

Dogs...they love you with everything they have and then **** off before you're ready to let them go.

Give him a big hug and then take his pain away. You know it's the best thing to do.

Went through exactly this at the end of may this year. Had him 15yrs from a pup. Faithful companion. Sooooo many happy memories. It’s tough. Still not over it and not sure I ever will be. But as they say it is better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all.

I feel your pain. Big man hugs from this household.

I feel for you, I had to say goodbye to one of mine a couple of years ago on her 14th birthday which made it unbearable, but it was the best thing to do as seeing the suffering was even more so.
My other (he's called Kobe, guess why) is now showing his 11 years after never having to see the vet for anything other than routine checkups & having his teeth cleaned, he just doesn't want to walk ATM which is so unlike him, I can't bare the thought of losing him but I THINK he has had a great life & hope he is just getting old & will enjoy a quiet life for years to come but without the frequent long walks, we'll see.

All the best.

It’s been 11 years since I lost my first dog who was a boxer and although it still hurts it’s okay...until I read this thread and then each reply had me on the edge of welling up. I feel for you, ziva is 10 in January and being a large breed she’s really slowing down now and has arthritis in her hips and I’m finding it hard to switch to short sedate walks as I feel like I’m mistreating her by not walking her for a decent length. Working from home until January is fab though as it means I have all this extra time with her. Sending big hugs and sympathy.

Feel for you. He's had the best time I'm sure.

My little 4yo spaniel had an anaphylactic reaction today out of the blue. Rushed her in and they worked on her all afternoon. Absolutely knocked me for six, I'm a complete wreck. She's OK, back home asleep on her chair wondering what all the fuss is about.

When growing up, we had a Boxer.

They are amazing dogs. Sorry to hear about your dog's illness.

Remember the good times!

Sorry to hear OP. it's horrible when you lose a pet.
Thoughts are with you.

Digby had a week at the end of February before we took him in. It was his best week evaah. We played, we bought expensive sausage rolls for snacks and his final day ball came on the walk one last time. (Heart failure for a year had walks with no ball or very little). Lunch was chip shop sausage and chips.

He wagged his tail until the end and I avoided crying until he was gone as he deserved to go without worrying about me. All the best and I hope you can keep it in until you get to the car.

Your post title is so true, dogs are your best mate, without fail. Remember all the good times you gave him, as much as what he have you. You'll always miss him, but that's the result of them being the best. Big hug

Not had a dog since I was a kid but still miss him. I cried when he died, he was a great dog and we used to go everywhere together.

Should get one now the kids are old enough to help look after one but my wife isn't keen.

Remember the good times op, I'm sure there was plenty.

I remember driving our first dog to the vets for the final time he was 14, I was only 17 and hadn't long passed my test but my mum was so upset she couldn't drive. That was 33 years ago, still miss him, used to come everywhere with me when I was a kid.
Just remember all the good time and the laughs you had. Feel your pain, don't let him see you upset, be brave for him, big man hugs.

Thanks for all the lovely replies. Just shows how amazing dogs are and the bond between us.

He is still keeping us entertained. With his drugs he is drinking loads and is pretty much sedated at night. Though he needs a carry down stairs around 4am for a wee. This morning he had ambled off to wee... Then SPLOSH. he'd wandered right in to the pond. In my pj's I ran out. I could smell him before I saw him. Suffice to say he didn't get to sleep back on the bed.

I find it helps to remember that if you hadn't come into his life then he might have had a totally different and maybe no so great existence. Because of you he's felt loved. What greater gift can you give to an animal?
So through the grief, take time to smile and feel proud of yourself for improving someone's life immeasurably.

Thanks rollin. We know we have given him an amazing life. He was a rescue dog, been neglected, had all sorts of medical issues etc. It's something that makes me really happy, giving him a second chance of a happy life and we've certainly given him that. Only had him 3 years, so just feels a little too short.

Saw the thread title yesterday and it's taken me this long to open it and comment. Worst feeling in the world I reckon. We still choose to out ourselves through it though as it's vastly outweighed by the good times and as more time passes, the clearer that balance becomes.

Think of all the sacrifice you've made for your best friend over the years, it's just one last act of kindness. It will break you, but it's the best thing for them.

Just wish someone could do it for me when my time comes.

Terry went at Christmas. Still hurts. Lots of folk know how it feels.

(Wish I could post that ubertools dog cartoon)

That cartoon 😢

Yup , hardest thing ever. I lost my 12 1/2 year old Chocky lab about 3 years ago. I knew it was the right thing to do as he was in severe pain . I've never cried so much in my life , I lost my brother the year after and it wasnt in the same league to be honest.
We got a little pug a couple of years before Charlie died and it was the best thing ever. They bounced of each other and he actually prolonged the old boys life tbh. I cant imagine never not having a dog they give so much and even if you nip out for an hour the welcome you get is like you have been away for 6 months. Such beautiful animals.

Take care and as others have said just remember the good times and think what a great life you gave him.

Jeez oh that cartoon is horrific, in a good way. Ooft, lots of onions being chopped in here!

We've done it three times now and have two dogs at the moment - whilst it is heartbreakingly sad at the time, the pleasure/unconditional love that dogs give you throughout their life is worth that short moment of suffering. Our basset hound is 13 1/2 which is very good for the breed - he's starting to slow down, struggles to get out of bed and is a bit wobbly on the back legs, but on some days he can walk for over an hour - we're just taking life one month at a time, we're having a new house built and would so much love for him to get there. We'll get another dog no doubt in time, but not to replace him as each one has their own unique character.

not to replace him as each one has their own unique character.

This. Last one was a cuddler, the one previous a killing machine who wanted to get at every animal on TV. Half the fun of rescues is working out how to make the new dog comfortable and know his/her place in the house.

We're waiting on our next one, me patiently herself with increasing irritation at the time taken.

@sandwich you’re a swine for that cartoon strip, we were all holding it together until then

Hmmm, strangely, someone's started chopping onions near me too.

Gutted for you. Hopefully our two greyhounds have a decent number of years left in them (one's 9, the other's 6), but I know I'm gonna be a big mess! We can only try to give them the best lives we can, and hope we can give them a peaceful goodbye.

Hope it all goes as well as it can for you.

I find it helps to remember that if you hadn’t come into his life then he might have had a totally different and maybe no so great existence. Because of you he’s felt loved. What greater gift can you give to an animal?
So through the grief, take time to smile and feel proud of yourself for improving someone’s life immeasurably.

This.

And also that cartoon, but there's a bit that they missed. Which is that when the hurt has passed sufficiently, your best mate would love you to give another dog the chance he had.

I see it's been removed, which is a shame. Hey-ho.

This is the third time I’ve tried to read this thread and I’m welling up every time. I can’t even think about the day my lab goes.
They are so so special and not with us long enough.
My heart goes out to you

Ps that cartoon absolutely broke me

Let Wallace know that we all think he's awesome, and we always shall.

A year ago we lost our first dog.

She was a rescue that we had four years and had nursed back from loosing the use of her back legs to being able to run with our other two dogs.

She suddenly got very ill. In the space of 24hrs we had to make the best decision for her. It broke us but we knew it was right.

I held her whilst she was put to sleep.

Stay strong for each other and him.

Sending love.

We managed to rest all day, then took him up to his favourite spot to walk. It took an age to get round, but we managed some water and treats halfway. I had really mixed feelings, as last time we will probably walk him there, super happy that we'd managed to get him there, but also knowing next time we'd be back would be to scatter his ashes there. However... The sunset and time with him will last in my memory for ever.
More treats await this week.

Snuggling Jarvis harder after reading this as he lies on his back snoring and farting.
That cartoon made me cry like a baby. Really lovely.
I'm sad for your loss OP, but I Thi you should take heart that you have your pooch a happy few years. X

Oh man this is just the pits.

Our little girl passed around 3 years ago and I still miss her even though we have another dog which takes up all of our attention.

For me it was probably the most upsetting thing I've had to do. I really feel for you.

That cartoon properly got me. Off out for a walk with mine now.

The last day with my old dog was one of the most difficult I've had.

Sending hugs over the ether.

I'm not one for inspirational quotes and all that but two seem quite relevant right now.

- Everyone thinks that their dog is the best dog in the world, and they are all right.

- When thinking about your dog going to sleep, it is better to worry that you did it too early than to worry that you left it too late.

Dogs are awesome.

So sorry to hear this mate. I've had to do it three times and never gets any easier. And nor should it, they are a member of the family. The important thing is be upset, be sad, but don't feel guilty. Your dog has already had the best life ever, extended far beyond what it would have been in the wild by your love and care.

That cartoon made me cry in the waiting room at the dentist which made for an interesting conversation with the receptionist. Funny thing is it is right though. Dogs know when it is time and they're okay with that. Not unusual for them to head off to a place of peace and slip away.

And as said above, the thing that your dog would want above and beyond would be for you to offer another furry friend a home and a refuge and a pack. They're all different, but all equally special.

That photo of the sunset seems to have raised the dust levels in my room to an all-time high. God speed

Hit me right in the feels, this thread.

A week is such a long time, and nowhere near long enough.

Have some eHugs from an internet stranger.

Dear dear me, so sorry to hear about the lad.

They are precious things and have the ability to iron out the difficult stuff in our lives all for a walk and a bit of scran.

There is not a day does by that i don't reflect on my mate Monty who went four years ago.

The difficult reflections are now turning to memories of the great times we shared.

Stay strong and give the lad a hug all the way to the end.

Monty says hi by the way

https://flic.kr/p/Rh5mAZ

Every day I miss the horrible little shit of a dog. 😢

What a great pic Eddie!

Today's treat was an ice cream... He loves them.
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Very sad. Sorry to hear that. Lost my collie (my sister, as I am an only child) when I was 17.

Just got a new collie about a month ago 30 years later. 3 months old now. Mad as a mad dog but going to be great. Hang in there.

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For every downside of owning dogs there is an upside as it creates another 'hole' to fill in your lives - we rehomed Esther 18 months ago as she was completely hyper / destructive. She's a bundle of energy, took to trail running and biking instantly and will happily curl up on the sofa with you.

Well the time came today. It was the most heart wrenching horrible thing to do, but at the same time know we'd done the right thing. He had a short walk at one of his favourite Spots, even managing a bound.
He then drifted off, while laying on his bed in the sun. Going to miss him.

Sorry for your loss and hope the heartache of today will soon be replaced by the warm memories of the great pleasure he gave you and the loving home you gave to him.