[Lincoln61]

We had to have one of our beloved dogs put to sleep today.

He was a Boxer, 16 years old (which is an amazing age for this breed) We rescued him 11 years ago, and he has been the most joyous, loving and well behaved boy you could ever wish for.

His health has been going down hill for the past year. The last few months however he has been having seizures, and in the last few days he has been falling alot. In fear of him hurting himself through the falls, and his general poor health we decided it was time to say goodbye.

I can't express how upsetting it has been today. A friend and a member of the family has gone.

[Panchoa]

🙏🏼 rip

[Tengocity]

Sorry to hear that. We don't have children and our pets are our family, so I'd be the same as you.
The heartbreak is proportional to how big a hole they leave behind, and the bigger the character the bigger the hole.

[isleaiw1]

Originally Posted by Lincoln61

We had to have one of our beloved dogs put to sleep today.

He was a Boxer, 16 years old (which is an amazing age for this breed) We rescued him 11 years ago, and he has been the most joyous, loving and well behaved boy you could ever wish for.

His health has been going down hill for the past year. The last few months however he has been having seizures, and in the last few days he has been falling alot. In fear of him hurting himself through the falls, and his general poor health we decided it was time to say goodbye.

I can't express how upsetting it has been today. A friend and a member of the family has gone.

Sorry to hear of your loss. I do have family but dogs are your most loyal and permanent best friends. Jessie, my 8 year old working cocker, is my best friend, goes most places except work with me and is even sort of allowed on the front seat of the M5.. not encouraged you understand but a blind eye turned when she does it.

I know exactly how you feel tonight (RIP Toby, Jake, Polly, Heidi, Sasha...) but always remember, better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all (that saying was clearly written for dogs and not women / partners)

[MashinBenzin]

Sorry to hear this, dogs are wonderful companions. RIP.

[Watsey]

Really sorry to hear that.

We had dogs in the family when I was young (Labs for us; my grandparents had Retrievers and Border Collies) and luckily they all had a good innings. But, when health starts to deteriorate badly there comes a time when putting them out of their misery is the humane thing to do.

I remember it being very upsetting. There's nothing quite a loving and loyal pet.

[Scoobyd]

Had our lab just shy of 15 years. One of the most heartbreaking days of my life was when we had to put him down. But his health had reached the point where it would have been selfish of us to keep him alive. It would have been for our benefit because we never wanted to be without him, but wouldn’t have been fair on him. You can’t let anything or anyone you love suffer. Not ashamed to say I sat and blubbed like a baby. They truly are a part of the family and the most loyal, loving relationship you’ll ever have. They’re all characters and leave a huge hole in our lives. I’ve never been able to get another, others prefer to jump back on the horse. Regardless, I feel your pain

[AlwynMike]

I feel your pain.
Our last "proper" dog died at 18.5 years old.
I would have gladly swapped one of my kids for him (and they know it).

"Proper" dog you ask? Well, we are now "part time" dog owners - Guide Dog puppy walkers. A new dog every year or so. Yes, it's hard letting them go for training, but we know it's only for a year at the outset, and we don't have to bury them. That they will change someone's life is just a bonus for me.

And you have no idea how much of a babe magnet a small labrador can be 😀

[Paddy1975]

Sorry for your loss mate, we have a Jack Russell maniac but know when the times comes he will leave a massive gap in all our lives, we assume they will always be there and leaves a massive hole when they aint. The loss never gets better but it does get easier. RIP.

[mcoops]

Very sorry to hear this. We are about to embark on the other end of the journey, picking up a pup on Saturday. Hopefully it's a very long way off, but it's sobering to think we will have to deal with this one day. My wife's family have beagle/basset cross that is getting on a bit now, and my mother-in-law has said after this one she can't face getting another, as the loss is too painful. Hope you feel a bit better in the coming weeks, and that you can focus on the joy you got over the years the dog was with you.

[TouringPleb]

Sorry to read your post.

I'm typing this with one of mine sat on my feet and the other next to him.

Dogs are so much just than just an animal or pet. When we lost our last dog we were both in pieces. The poor vet had two big 6ft plus blokes crying their eyes out as she gave the injection. I felt a grief I'd never felt before, not even when my Dad died. For the next 6-7 weeks at random times I would just burst into tears. The house was so quiet without him, we had wooden floors and I missed the pitter patter of his claws on the floor. I missed coming home from work and having him run up to me for a cuddle and a fuss.

We got him cremated and sprinkled his ashes at his favourite spot at the river where he loved to swim. I know logic says it's pure coincidence, but that summer the most beautiful wild flowers grow on that spot where some of the ashes fell and I like to think that was his spirit. Everyone is different but we lasted about 8 weeks before deciding we had to get another dog. Another German Shepherd but a totally different personality which actually helped.

Over the last couple of years I've suffered with my mental health, depression and anxiety and I'm currently off with PTSD after a run of horrendous jobs at work and a death in the family at the end of last year. I can't imagine how much worse things would have been if I didn't have my dogs to walk every day, to get out and walk around the fields and get away from everything for a couple of hours.

Don't be ashamed to cry or grieve. More people than you expect will understand and you will always get a friendly, sympathetic response on here.

[isleaiw1]

Sorry to hear TouringPleb, hope you are back to your usual self soon...

And echo all you say about letting the grief out, it will come out eventually so let it out...

[breathe3asy]

Very sad! Sending strength your way.

Dogs are so pure, the opposite to humans

[mikeoz]

Sorry for your loss pal.

Unless you have a dog you dont understand the connection.
Lost my dog last Feb and was in bits. Had just come out of hospital after major surgery and was also dealing with stupid bosses at work which is currently in the Courts which was the last thing i needed after my dog was put down. Ben was 16.2yrs and a spinger Lab. First and only dog i have had to date...My little 3yrs was asking for him for days. She still remembers him now..

I happened to mention it at the time in another thread and Touring Pleb PM me after. What he said made a real difference at the time and that alone was worth being on this forum for me.

[JR1664]

Originally Posted by TouringPleb

Sorry to read your post.

I'm typing this with one of mine sat on my feet and the other next to him.

Dogs are so much just than just an animal or pet. When we lost our last dog we were both in pieces. The poor vet had two big 6ft plus blokes crying their eyes out as she gave the injection. I felt a grief I'd never felt before, not even when my Dad died. For the next 6-7 weeks at random times I would just burst into tears. The house was so quiet without him, we had wooden floors and I missed the pitter patter of his claws on the floor. I missed coming home from work and having him run up to me for a cuddle and a fuss.

We got him cremated and sprinkled his ashes at his favourite spot at the river where he loved to swim. I know logic says it's pure coincidence, but that summer the most beautiful wild flowers grow on that spot where some of the ashes fell and I like to think that was his spirit. Everyone is different but we lasted about 8 weeks before deciding we had to get another dog. Another German Shepherd but a totally different personality which actually helped.

Over the last couple of years I've suffered with my mental health, depression and anxiety and I'm currently off with PTSD after a run of horrendous jobs at work and a death in the family at the end of last year. I can't imagine how much worse things would have been if I didn't have my dogs to walk every day, to get out and walk around the fields and get away from everything for a couple of hours.

Don't be ashamed to cry or grieve. More people than you expect will understand and you will always get a friendly, sympathetic response on here.

Stay strong mate. I ended up leaving a brilliant career and retiring younger than planned due to an Injury at work. I went for an operation that didn't work out and it was goodnight Tokyo. That was 8 years ago.

Around the same time our Jack Russell had a litter of pups, the one we kept has been my soul mate and has supported me on a Journey to hell and back.

Love the little fella.

[F20MAW73]

Very sorry to hear OP and others who dogs have passed in recent times. Please take some small comfort in the fact I bet you and your family have provided your dog with just as much love and companionship as they have given you.

We got our first dog at Christmas before last (labrador called Alfie). One of the bigest compliments I can give him is he just completes our family. This comes from the man in the house who didn't want a dog in the first place.

I have suffered with some mild anxiety periods over the years also and getting a dog has been a great help also as TouringPleb mentioned.

Sorry again op and I hope you feel a little better soon.

[JNW1]

Very sorry to hear of your loss; we have two labradors and I know how I'd feel if we lost either of them as they become very much part of the family.

It's gut wrenching when the time comes to have them put to sleep but when they've reached a stage where it's no longer fair to keep them going - as your Boxer obviously had - it's the last kind thing you can do for them....

[scusswold]

Very sad news. My condolences to you.

You should try to take comfort that you've obviously given him a brilliant second bash at his life. 16 years is amazing for a Boxer, so he was obviously very happy.

Keep the memories close.

[MashinBenzin]

A very moving and sobering post TouringPleb

Hadn't realised you were off work, hopefully the break will allow you to put some of the things to rest and move back towards a positive place in your new reality.

I think of PTSD often, having flashbacks of my own from last year and also having a wife who grew up with war raging around her. I'm certainly not saying she or I have it - but it's a subject worth reflecting on. We had our first counselling session today, about last year's loss, and it was interesting (can't think of a better word) to hear of the process that we will be following over the coming months. I hope you are getting the right counselling too.

Opportunities to heal slightly come from strange directions, even the fault with our car allowed a chance to move on from an object that was so heavily associated with different times, both ecstatically happy and broken and sad beyond belief. A new one casts off those associations.

Of course, there are countless other objects and places that are not so easily fixed and daily life is simply full of triggers. Dragging it back to topic, I imagine that's exactly how it is for someone who has lost that vital family member that I know a dog is.

As you say, never be afraid to talk, on here and in your own social/professional circles. People are incredible, easy to lose sight of that when often the news or our world is dominated by the less good people (your professional world - your client base - is something that I struggle to comprehend dealing with every day). Good luck mate

[TouringPleb]

Originally Posted by MashinBenzin

A very moving and sobering post TouringPleb

Hadn't realised you were off work, hopefully the break will allow you to put some of the things to rest and move back towards a positive place in your new reality.

I think of PTSD often, having flashbacks of my own from last year and also having a wife who grew up with war raging around her. I'm certainly not saying she or I have it - but it's a subject worth reflecting on. We had our first counselling session today, about last year's loss, and it was interesting (can't think of a better word) to hear of the process that we will be following over the coming months. I hope you are getting the right counselling too.

Opportunities to heal slightly come from strange directions, even the fault with our car allowed a chance to move on from an object that was so heavily associated with different times, both ecstatically happy and broken and sad beyond belief. A new one casts off those associations.

Of course, there are countless other objects and places that are not so easily fixed and daily life is simply full of triggers. Dragging it back to topic, I imagine that's exactly how it is for someone who has lost that vital family member that I know a dog is.

As you say, never be afraid to talk, on here and in your own social/professional circles. People are incredible, easy to lose sight of that when often the news or our world is dominated by the less good people (your professional world - your client base - is something that I struggle to comprehend dealing with every day). Good luck mate

Thanks for your kind words.

This was never intended to become about me, just trying to state what my dogs mean to me so I could understand what the OP was going through.

[Lincoln61]

Thank you all for your kind comments, it's been a hard week and many tears have been shed.

He provided many years of happiness, and There is a empty space where his bed was and a irreplaceable space in our hearts. But those years of happiness are more important than the short period of sadness we are going through.

We have spent recent days making sure our remaining dog is ok, which he seems to be. Although I suspect he is going to even more spoiled than ever

[scooba0010]

RIP

Like everyone else on here I have lost two beagles in recent years and have two more ,It broke my heart twice and I honestly will loose it when my Bailey has to go he is 11 and my best friend

we rescued him and he was a handful but christ was he worth the effort .

When you are strong enough go and get another preferably a rescue , both my current pack are rescue , its challenging and so rewarding .

Sorry for your loss