My gorgeous golden retriever

[lovemydog]

had a large malignant tumour removed from her mouth six months ago. She now has malignant lumps in the lymph nodes. She seems to be well in herself, eats and drinks well and enjoys short walks (well, she is 15 1/2 . . . ) Does anyone have any advice? My vet says take each week as it comes, she genuinely sems to be happy and pain free.

I am so sorry to hear that your lovely Goldie has gone. It sounds as if she had a wonderful last day and wasn't in any pain. Take comfort that she went peacefully at home. Thinking of you.

Thank you for all your kind messages. I went to the vet's today to settle her final bill and he was shocked that Molly had gone, after having seen her on Friday. I felt guilty that I hadn't heard anything in the night (not that I could have done anything, of course) - but the vet assured me that she would have died peacefully in her sleep. Which is, of course, a lovely way to go after 15 1/2 years . . . I was doing OK this afternoon until I emptied the Dyson which was full of her lovely golden hair . . .

So sorry to hear this. Like others have said, she went peacefully, at home with her family close by after a happy day, which I suppose is the most any of us doggy or human can hope for at the end. That won't make you miss her or mourn her any less of course, but maybe you can take some comfort from it in the future.

:(

It's natural to feel guilty that you weren't there holding her paw when she died, but as the vet said, she went in her sleep and wouldn't have known about it, what a lovely way to go x Of course it would have been lovely if it hadn't happened for a long time yet - no matter how old they are, you always want them for longer.

Have you kept some of her lovely golden hair?

chipping I have Along with her water bowl, collar and tag. Don't know what I'll do with them but at the moment they are doing no harm in the cupboard under the stairs!

I still have my Yorkie's collar, he died nearly 3 years ago. Its on display along with my pup's collar and tag who died last year. I also have pup's lead in the drawer. I have no use for it but I can't part with it.

I didn't do it, but I read that if you put them in an airtight plastic bag, it retains their smell. Not sure if you want to do that or not but thought it was worth mentioning.

your love for Molly shines through in your posts. i am so sorry but also so glad that she had you as her family. take care

Oh lovemydog I am sorry Sounds like she knew she was well loved, and had a great last day with her family.

Lovemydog, I will let you into a secret. Out of the 3 dogs I've had over the last 27 years, my Sally was my favourite ~ my baby. I still have a clump of her blonde fur in my purse. She's been gone for more than 13 years.

If you put Mollys collar into a plastic bag and seal it, you can smell her whenever you want...Sallys smell has now gone, but was there for years and a great comfort to me.

X posts with kid :) sorry!