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Hardest thing I've ever done, I think. She was my sidekick for 10 years, took her everywhere with me.
Looking back, there were maybe a few early warnings. Occasional odd tics snapping at nothing, off her food now and again, a bit more needy - her worried about something? But it came out of the blue for us.
She's been struggling in the recent heat; the vet said many dogs were in the heatwaves, keep an eye on it, but her breathing got worse, so took her in Monday. Turns out she had a large liver tumour that was pressing on other organs. So we had her back for a few days with meds, but said goodbye Thursday.
Actually had a lovely few days. Fave walks at sunset, trip to the cafe on her last day where the owners made a fuss of her for ice cream. She looked so peaceful when she went after all the breathing struggles.
So now I'm in that period where my routine of 10 years doesn't match reality. Still change the dog's water, open the back door in the morning etc., then remember.
So, we have a few months of family trips organised to clear our heads, then a new pup, I think after that. House isn't right without a dog.
Last eve walk watching the sun go down (well, I was)
Cafe for ice cream
How it started
It's tough, never gets any easier! You've done and are doing all the right things.
Glad you managed to make the most of those last precious days!
And it is hard to believe how empty a house can feel. All part and parcel of the love we have for our pets. It hurts but in my view is worth it!
Well done for giving a dog such a great life. It's certainly got a bit dusty in here.
You've done and are doing all the right things
Thanks. I hope so, that was our focus. We didn't want her struggle to breathe to get so bad she was panicked by it, sods law, it would have been outside of the vet's hours. They were fantastic, actually. They stayed open late just for us once we'd decided late on the Thursday.
Posy was such a people dog, knew everyone, we're all gutted. Had our mates round here burst into tears. Told her groomer, who's done her since she was one - turns out she lost her Sprocker 3 weeks ago to the same thing.
I am not looking forward to the day.
We've been out today for a pampering and a starbucks like pampered ladies that we are. But she 13 and while she full of beans and went full zoomie in starbucks today its a rough reality that those days are numbered.
Just remember you were her world and she will have loved every bit of it with you.
I am not looking forward to the day.
I know. Pretty sure I made the same comment on here a few years ago, responding to someone else who'd just gone through it. We thought we'd have her maybe 13+ years. Came a few years early. Our groomer's Sprocker was 6, that must be hard.
It never gets easier. Had said goodbye to a few of our dogs in the past but our current black is going to be heartbreaking when the day comes. He spends everyday at work with me and going to be lost when there’s not hair and dog toys all over the place plus the sound of him snoring during the day fills the house with laughter .
It's a horrible experience but as others have said you did the right thing.
You have to remember the good times.
We said goodbye to our 15 year old westie in 2022, we were heartbroken. He used to sit in the shop with us and we had people and kids who would come in just to make a fuss of him. It was hard when they were asking where he was.
We weren't looking for another dog, however, just over a year later, the dog found us. A friend of a friend got in touch and asked if we wanted to rehome him, as his current elderly owners were going into care.
He's now 11, he's in great shape but he's getting older and I'm already dreading it. They don't live long enough.
Definitely the little things I keep coming across that catch me out. The paw prints on the garden chair I brushed off this morning. The way she'd arranged the cushions just so on her fave chair in the sitting room. The sand I hoovered out from the car boot yesterday from our last beach walk a while back. Very odd having an empty car boot; there's been a crate in there for 10 years.
