Saying goodbye on Wednesday

[JimandPam]

My beautiful boy is coming to the end of his journey with us.

He is the most beautiful chocolate Labrador who we had from a puppy. He is clingy, slightly mad , often smelly and has helped me bring two wonderful children into the world.

I remember hating breastfeeding overnight when my DH went back to work as I’d get so anxious in the dark trying to feed this tiny baby. Every night he’d listen out for me and come upstairs and just sit, keeping my feet warm while I breastfed. Then he’d see me back to bed before going back downstairs when all was quiet.

He licked my tears through chronic illness and just sat with my silently while I cried and wondered if I’d ever have children.

I even had an incident where I’d unknowingly with baby brain left a tampon in and forgotten. He pawed at me, barked at me and wouldn’t leave me alone until I twigged what was wrong with him.

Hes been in pain for a while with cancer and we’ve decided to take the pain away while he still has some wags left in him.

Has anyone had experience of telling young children? We’ve decided not to tell them beforehand as it would be too distressing but I want to give them a keepsake or a memory, or a way to talk about him (nursery and reception age)

The next few days are both heartbreaking and wonderful to have him still

Sorry to hear that we said goodbye to our 13 year old cat 23rd dec and my 11 weeks old puppy in April its horrible sending hugs x

Oh OP 😢

He sounds like a wonderful friend, I'm so sorry it's coming to an end. Dogs eh?? They'll mush your heart up good and proper. Some of them are truly special though, sounds like you and your old boy hit the jackpot with each other.

No experience with telling children, but I would say don't brush it under the carpet and pretend everything is perfectly fine too quickly. If you know what I mean? We Brits have a tendency for stiff upper lip and five minutes later "everything is totally tickety boo"

The children knowing that you're feeling sad gives them permission to feel whatever they want to as well.

We had 2 tell 4 kids about the cat and dog they cried 1 didn't but it was there cat of 13 yrs it effected my 17 yr old more the puppy on the other hand they all broke down my son knew as the dog had been poorly weekend before and as my partner wasn't back for school run he knew my 9.and 10 yr old took it bad as he had parvovirus everythink was thrown away had nothing of he's left

@itsonlyjoanim so sorry you’ve been through similar recently. And a puppy too! Must have been awful. I’m already wondering whether to give his stuff quickly to a dog charity but I can’t bear the empty spaces around the house

@MuffinsAreJustCakesAtBreakfast Ugh, indeed! Dogs!! Absolutely mush my heart is at the moment. He’s snoring next to me completely oblivious and thank goodness he is. It’s a blessing and a curse that they don’t fully understand what’s going on. Although to me, he is super intelligent!

The kids are moaning at him being in the way and I really just want to tell them to lap him up while he’s here! They’re playing ‘bad guys’ and are dressed as policemen. The poor pooch is in jail for some heinous crime and they’ve erected cushions around him while he sleeps.

He’s still managing the most wonderful smiles at me

This was my cat who passed 23rd dec and my puppy 29th April

What a gorgeous boy. I am so sorry you are having to go through this. I don’t have children so can’t help with telling them, except please be honest in an age-appropriate way (my parents told me my beloved granddad had gone to see Jesus, and for weeks I was waiting for him in come back 😥). If he is up to it, perhaps you could help your children to make some paw prints with him. You could also combine his paw prints with their handprints for a lovely keepsake. Will be thinking of you all💔🌈

Sending you and your family all my love OP. I can’t imagine what you’re feeling. My good girl was the same with my two children and looked after me more than I knew I needed.
My only advice would be, try to paint it positively. It will be difficult for your DC to understand but try and make sure they know the vet is doing a good thing for your brave boy. A friend went through it recently and her young DC is still “angry” with the vet for “killing” the dog.
there’s a book called “the rainbow bridge” that I believe explains it well. I bought it for another friend when she went through this.
if you feel able to, you could have some of his fur or ashes encapsulated in resin to make a small keepsake. I also bought a lovely handmade christmas decoration with another DDog name on for a friend so they can see his name on the tree.
As I said I’ve not experienced it myself directly but have tried to help several close friends through.
all the food treats, nothing off limits, gentle hugs and lots of lovely photos. I will be thinking of you all and send you strength and love.

Aw what a beautiful soul. I lost my labrador soul-dog a few months ago and it was so hard. Like yours, he had seen me through some tough times, and I still miss him every day.

I have no words of wisdom, other than it is hear breaking, and the grief is not linear. Take your time before you give his stuff away.

I love @Frenchfemme suggestion of the paw & handprints- that would be such a lovely keepsake.

Will be thinking of you ❤️

I have my eddie puppy paw prints he's cremated even have a little book of pics of him also

OMG he is absolutely gorgeous !

Sending you hugs and thoughts, isn't it the day we dread as dog parents? It sounds as though your doggie has had a wonderful life and has still got some quality of life, so timing is good.
For the children, our vet nurses took paw prints from our dog and did one in a card for each of them. We explained that doggie was very old and tired, so it was time to go over the rainbow bridge/to heaven - explain using the sort of ideology that your children will understand about death - and they had a final meal with him before he went to the vets for the last time (they loved to share toast with him)!