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The doghouse

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TW Had to say goodbye to my lovely old boy today

17 replies

Gasbox · 05/01/2026 22:57

Just that really, he had collapsing trachea and went suddenly downhill this afternoon. Thankfully DD had been with him all morning, I was home before he really took a turn for the worse and DH came straight home when I called him so we all got to tell him how much we loved him and me and DH were holding him at the end. The vet and nurse were lovely to both him and us and it was peaceful, he had no fight left in him and just went to sleep in our arms. I'm devastated, the house feels all wrong and his things are everywhere, they make me cry every time I see them but I can't bring myself to put them away either. I've been here enough times before to know this is the hardest bit and I will get through it but right now it doesn't feel that way. DD is in bits so we're being strong for her but I needed somewhere I could say how I actually feel, which is obviously heartbroken, I miss him so much already.

OP posts:
crumpetswithcheeze · 05/01/2026 23:12

So very sorry for your loss xx

4Tornot4T · 05/01/2026 23:22

I'm so sorry. Sending hugs and love to you all. xx 💐 ❤️

ThisRoseHiker · 05/01/2026 23:29

I am so sorry 💔❤️‍🩹

Gasbox · 06/01/2026 12:22

Coming home from work to an empty house today was horrific, can't stop crying, the hole he has left is immense. His hearing was failing and I used to get stuck behind him as he pottered round the house because I couldn't get his attention to let me past, it drove me mad but I'd give anything to have him getting in my way now. Sorry, I'm literally dumping my feelings here so I can be strong for DD when she gets home from college, hope that's ok.

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Frenchfemme · 06/01/2026 13:15

I am so sorry for your loss. Don’t apologise for sharing your feelings. The emptiness is the worst. My dog had epilepsy and developed neurological damage as a result - he always wanted to follow me around and was always getting under my feet, totally oblivious. I have mobility issues and it could be quite dangerous at times, so I used to get quite frustrated with him at time. I felt really guilty about this for a long time, but have worked on forgiving myself and reminding myself I gave him a good life surrounded by love. Sending love 💔

SirChenjins · 06/01/2026 13:20

I'm so sorry for your loss - sending you many sympathies. He was obviously very much loved and had a wonderful family - what a lovely life to have had 💐

Serenity45 · 06/01/2026 13:20

I'm so sorry your boy is gone. It sounds like he had a long life and a gentle end with his loved ones comforting him. Imagine it will take a long while to miss trying not to trip over him Flowers

Gasbox · 06/01/2026 14:10

He was definitely loved, he'd been with us from 6 months old and was almost 13 so a lifetime of love. I've felt some degree of guilt every other time I've had to have a pet put to sleep, always felt there was some small thing I could have done better for them but I do feel like I got it right with him, he had a lovely life and a peaceful death surrounded by love. Doesn't make losing him any easier but at least there's no guilt. Am only crying intermittently now so think that's an improvement, thanks for understanding and for your kind wishes.

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spiderlight · 06/01/2026 16:30

I'm so very sorry. There's no pain quite like it.

SnugglyJumpersMakeItBetter · 06/01/2026 17:05

I'm so very, very sorry. Our girl Skye had a collapsing trachea. We had to say goodbye to her at rising 13 back in April. It sounds like your boy had a lovely peaceful parting surrounded by so very much love. Lucky lad.

Don't put his things away until the time really feels right. I still have my Skye's bed and a handful of her favourite toys stored in the garden office and go out there to have a good cry sometimes. The one thing I will say is that no matter how painful it is, and it still hurts so very much even all these months on, is that it's 100% worth it. There has not been a moment even when having a full-on meltdown over her loss that I've regretted having her be my girl.

Tell us something about your special boy? What were his particular personality quirks?

VickyEadieofThigh · 07/01/2026 16:58

I'm so sorry. It doesn't matter how necessary you know it was - and this is the last act of love and kindness we do for our beloved pets - the pain is just awful. xxx

Gasbox · 07/01/2026 21:16

Thank you all so much, it helps to say it to people who understand. Today has been pretty dreadful, couldn't wait to finish work but when I did get home I just wanted to turn around and walk back out again, it doesn't feel like home at all right now.

He'd become a proper little old man in recent years, happy pottering round the house and garden and having more sedate walks but in his younger days he was an absolute ball of energy, at the centre of everything at home and happiest chasing a ball, he loved to run. He came from a rescue so we were never 100% sure exactly what he was, mostly Staffy we think but with a slightly slimmer build, quite long legs and unusual colouring, black with some ginger brindle markings and a white chest. He was beautiful to look at and a joy to be around, DD was 4 when we got him and we were super careful about supervising them together but he was never anything but gentle and good natured. We were so lucky to have him all those years, I just hope he knew how much we loved him.

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WhyamIinahandcartandwherearewegoing · 07/01/2026 21:18

I’m so very sorry, its a loss quite unlike any other. He will has loved you right till those very last moments, as you did him x

parkezvous · 07/01/2026 21:27

I’m so sorry it’s really devastating x

flamingo40 · 07/01/2026 21:55

i completely understand. We lost our oldest girl on Xmas Eve after 16 beautiful years.
its an awful pain isn’t it?
My children grew up with her and she was just the most lovable loyal scruff.
I miss tripping over her as she’s doddering about slowly. I miss her hurrying into the kitchen when I’m prepping food to wait for crumbs, she was deaf towards the end but knew when food was potentially about to be dropped.
Today we received her ashes and she’s home again where she belongs.

AnSionnachGlic · 09/01/2026 17:50

I totally understand too...it's an awful feeling. We had to put our l4 yr old doggy to sleep on Tuesday, and I've waves of sadness and tears washing over me since. Like your little lad, our dog was ill ( had stomach cancer) but was so strong to the bitter end. Like you, he was shuffling around the house for the last year, getting under my feat while I prepared food, but I'd give anything to have him almost tripping me over now. The only consolation is he had a very peaceful passing and he wasn't going to get well. We got him when our eldest child was 11, so he grew up with them all. It doesn't help that my eldest 2 dds have returned back to their college accommodation today, so place feeling v quiet. Be kind to yourself o.p, and allow the tears to flow as they are the price for all the love from our doggies. Hopefully, as the weeks go by, it will get easier 💔

MyFairLady22 · 09/01/2026 20:44

So sorry. Sending a big hug. It’s hard ❤️ xx

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