We'll meet at Rainbow Bridge, my beautiful boy...

[LollipopViolet]

I am in shock.

We just lost our 13 year old golden retriever. He just... went. He'd been off colour all morning, we knew it was serious, and we were preparing to take him to the vet, possibly to be PTS. As my grandparents tried to move him, I guess he didn't want it to end like that.

I had a cry earlier when we realised he wasn't going to rally from this one, but now... I'm OK.

I think because it happened in the place he was loved, spent all his time, and it was on his terms. I just hope he wasn't in any pain.

R.I.P Sam, I'll miss you :(

[mynameisslimshady]

I'm so sorry

RIP Sam xxx

[binger]

So sorry. He's at peace and sounds like his passing was exactly how any of us would ask it to be for ourselves.

Take care.

[idirdog]

Oh bless him. I am so sorry you have to go through this but for him a peaceful end with the family he loved he can't ask for more.

Be gently with yourself.

[idirdog]

gently =gentle!

[pumpkinsweetie]

I'm sorry for your loss x

[cocolepew]

So sorry

[LollipopViolet]

Thanks everyone. I just read the Rainbow Bridge poem again, and that's helped a lot actually.

He had a good life, only really had health problems in the last year. 13 years, 8 months is pretty good going for a dog, and they've been good years.

Just feels weird knowing I won't be greeted by him when I come home from work tomorrow, that my gran won't have to give him a cup of tea in the morning, or my granddad won't have to take him with him when he goes to close the gates tonight.

Little things.

I am happy he won't have to be scared of the fireworks on Bonfire Night anymore - that just leaves me with that phobia!

[Greydog]

I am so sorry for your loss, but he was at home and with people he loved x

[Gingersstuff]

Oh Lollipop, I'm so sorry for you. It's so hard when our canine pals pass away, they are fully-fledged family members. Your Sam really was a great age for a goldie and it very much sounds as if he went on his own terms - goldies are stubborn as you'll know! - and had the best end a dog can have and better than most humans. RIP to your sweet boy.

[MistressMouse]

it's the small things that break our hearts, when our darling dogs move on. been there with my spaniel.
RIP lovely boy.

[HelgatheHairy]

I'm so sorry. But, as I'm sure you know, 13 years is a really good age for a golden and he went at home where he was happy.

My golden boy is 16 months and I can't bear to think about the end.

[bassetfeet]

RIP Sam .

[moosemama]

Oh Lollipop, I'm so sorry to hear such sad news.

Glad you can take some comfort that he made his own choice when to go and you know he had almost 14 years of a lovely life with your family.

He may not be there to greet you in the morning, but he will greet you again. In the meantime, run free Sam.

[Happiestinwellybobs]

I'm so sorry for your loss. Run free Sam

[LollipopViolet]

My beautiful boy This was taken a good few years back.

[TheGrumpalo]

So sorry for your loss, run free at rainbow bridge with my wee girl Amber who we lost this year x

[MistressMouse]

he was a very handsome boy Lolli. sorry again.
re-read Rainbow Bridge and i've just sobbed my eyes out. I have one beautiful boy there, Ben, and don't want to think about my girl Sookie making that journey when her time comes.

[LollipopViolet]

Awww, we also have a Ben, and my friend has a Penny there, so Sam will have some new friends :)

It feels weird, I asked my grandparents if the "weirdness" will go, and they said, "eventually". Time is supposed to be the best healer.

I kept coming back to one thing all day at work: I witnessed death for the first time. Not counting things like insects, that's the first time I've seen a living thing die, and I have to admit, that's left me a bit freaked out.