Said goodbye to our old boy today

[asadday]

Have name changed for this as it identifies me...

Our lovely old shaggy Otterhound was pts this afternoon at the grand old age of 16. I can't believe he's gone

He's had all sorts of hip and back problems all his life and he was struggling to get up and stay standing and going to the loo was getting quite precarious. He was still perky but his quality of life was just reducing by the day and I couldn't bear to watch him disappear in front of my eyes. The vet was lovely (got to see our own vet who had a soft spot for doggle) She couldn't believe how little muscle tone he had left in his hind legs and agreed the time was right. He slipped ever so quietly away eating a handful of biscuits.

The house is too quiet and there are so many reminders everywhere of him. I won't want to hoover as his fur is everywhere

He had a lovely walk in the woods this morning and loads of treats and cuddles. But I just miss him and his doggy smell.

Don't know why I'm posting, just wanted people to know about him I guess.

I'm so sorry for your loss

We had our old girl, an elderly springer, pts two weeks ago at the age of 14 because her quality of life was fading fast, so I know just how you are feeling. I posted on here about her & the lovely comments I got were so kind & comforting. It really helped.

Remember that you gave him a wonderful life & that you did the kindest thing possible for him at the end. They slip away ever so gently & peacefully, don't they?

I know it's hard today. Be kind to yourself x

Thanks Drama it's so horribly sad isn't it? They are such a huge part of our lives.

I was amazed how quietly and quickly he slipped away, he wasn't at all afraid, thank goodness.

I'm so sorry for your loss.

16 years old for such a large breed is amazing and testament to how much you loved and cared for him. Letting him go is the greatest act of love you could have done for him, but I know how hard and heartbreaking it is to have to do it.

Don't vacuum if you don't want to - give yourself all the time and space you need to grieve for your lovely boy.

Thank you.

He was and is incredibly well loved. Otterhounds are an incredible breed with the hugest capacity for love - he demanded love from all of us (and got it many times over!) The gap he has left is vast

Yes you're right. We never ever expected to have him for nearly 16 years (he was a rescue so we got him at a few months old). It was like he was indestructable - he had many lives like a cat! He was in a road accident, had cancerous lumps removed and even had to go to The Supervet (Noel Fitzpatrick) for a spinal problem, and he went through all of it with a smile on his face. he loved the vets, no matter what they did to him

Aw I am so sorry. We had our old boy pts last Sept. He was also 16.

Heartbreaking but it is all for the best. What a lovely life your boy must have had. 16 lovely long years with you.

Oh I am so sorry to read this. What a great age, and he certainly sounds like he had a long and well loved life.
Run free at the bridge beautiful lad xx

Thank you for your messages.

I'm home alone at the moment and the whole house is echoing. I really don't like it It's really helping to know there are people out there who understand and care...

Of course other dog owners understand and care, it's just dreadful and I am so sorry :( he sound like he was a lovely chap xxx

Thank you for all of your lovely messages.

It's been a tough day today. I came back from the school run and couldn't bear to be in such an empty house, so I went shopping - all day! Not good for the bank balance, but it helped to keep my mind occupied.

I keep going over the trip to the vets in my head I know it will get easier with time, but he was such an enormous presence that it's going to take a while. Thank goodness it's half term and we're going away for a bit....

to all of you, you don't know how much I appreciate your kind words.

I think we all go over the trip to the vets after the event, I know I certainly did. It's just a way of processing your grief :(

So sorry for your loss

Doggy shaped absences are just the hardest thing

My old guy is on his way too, every day is a gift

You gave him a wonderful life

I'm sorry for your loss :( I'm almost 9 months on the other side of our loss now and I never thought anything could be good again, I was a wreck. Our girl had more personality than any shitty human and it was such a huge loss. In a few weeks you'll find yourself smiling slightly at a memory (probably still while crying), in a few more months you'll be able to laugh at his antics and adventures, while still yearning for him.

DramaAlpaca I'm sorry for your loss! I remember you telling me about your springies when I was grieving and wanting another dog. We got a pointer cross puppy from a kill pound 1 month after the Best Girl Ever died.... She's currently lying on my gut.

Ah, I'm so sorry to hear that :(

Hope you are doing OK, asadday

EvenBetter I've PM'd you. So glad to hear you have another lovely dog in your life.

Oh I am so sorry. It is terribly painful. I am thinking of you, as I know how hard it would have been.

Thank you so much for your lovely messages - really kind of you. We went away for an unplanned week immediately after - we just couldn't bear the empty house It's still horribly awful, but it definitely helped getting away and being busy...