Said goodbye to my soul dog

[NormaLouiseBates]

We had to let our beautiful Dalmatian go last Friday and while it was 100% the right decision it's broken me in ways I'm not sure I will ever recover from. It's like a physical pain in my heart. An emptiness where he lived. He was our first dog and he filled our lives with such joy. The 11 and a half years we had with him were the best of times... he had such a wonderful personality. He would look at me sometimes when I said his name and sigh like I was getting on his last nerve 😭❤️ but he was also my little shadow and never far from my side.

We're going to visit a litter of Labrador puppies at the weekend as the house is just too sad, empty and quiet without a doggy presence in it. We might not choose one... if might be too soon, I think we'll know when we get there.

RIP Alfie, you will never be forgotten 💙

I have a long time friend, nearly 40 years. Her and her DH, had one dog,a lab retriever (unfortunately they bought him from a very renown Sussex pet shop! At 3 he was riddled with arthritis, insured, but still a lot of excess to pay. At 8 on huge amount of meds, aqua and hydro therapy,he couldn't get in or out of the car, they couldn't control his pain. They had him PTS, he was the only dog they had ever had, they said they couldn't go through the pain again and have never had another dog. Our last border collie was PTS Jan 2015 she was 17, she wasn't unfriendly or nasty, just kept herself to herself. We already had Leo. DH had the prettiest little feisty cross when I met him, she lived to 18. The collie we have now,is the daftest,most affectionate lap dog, she sleeps in between us in bed.

I can't reply to your comment but people judged us too.

But it was the best decision we could have made. Not everyone needs time. Some of us are desperate to fill that doggy hole in your heart. I feel for you so much right now

I'm so so sorry, heartbreaking 😞 xxx

Everyone is different in their grief. Sometimes getting another dog quickly is the right thing to do and it absolutely does not take anything away from the much loved dog who has passed.

I am so very sorry for your loss. What an absolute gorgeous boy.

Just reading your post has made me cry. I lost my soul dog 6 months ago and I still cry every day, I miss him so very much, he was with me all the time, He was 10 and like your poor darling, he had battled cancer. Having him pts was the worst day of my life.
I couldn’t bear the pain of losing him and we got a rescue within a month of losing Archie. In hindsight, that was a stupid move as I was so deep in grief and still am. Our rescue is lot of hard work but we do love him and will give him a good life but I miss my Archie so very badly.
I think that some pets leave such a mark on your soul.

It's been a bittersweet couple of days here... Alfie's ashes are home with us now and it hit me all over again but it is lovely to have him home again where he belongs.

We went to see those puppies on Sunday and we picked one 🐶 Honey will be coming home with us in 4 weeks 🥰 We had the choice of 2 girls; 3 had already been reserved. She licked my nose and chin, then made little puppy squeaks then fell asleep in my arms. I felt my heart start to mend a little bit.

Might have something in my eye

I'm crying as I write this - so sorry for your loss. I know how devastating it is... we lost our beautiful, kind, best girl unexpectedly on Saturday and the grief is all consuming. She started the day fine and was gone by 9:30pm. The vets think it was a clot. She wasn't in pain or distressed which is a huge comfort to know... but she was only 9. Sending you love and strength. You'll know when it's the right time to get another dog and it doesn't matter what anyone else says or thinks.

She looks lovely , she will definitely help you through the grief 💐🐾

She is utterly gorgeous! She'll never take his place, but she'll forge a new one by your side. Enjoy every moment with your new addition