Farewell, so long, goodbye. How many words do we use when parting?

Some have a little more finality than others, and these often are the hardest to use. Saying farewell to a loved one is never easy, and that is equally so when it comes to our canine friends. I was particularly touched just recently on reading of the plight of an elderly lady who lived on her own. She had a very old Labrador that was quite unwell. The lady knew this and avoided as long as she could the day when she would have to ask her Vet to do the only kindest thing. Sadly the RSPCA got to hear of this, and the lady was hauled before the courts charged with cruelty. I can see this story from both sides. The lady loved her friend so much that she knew she would be bereft without her. Perhaps, she also didn’t quite understand how bad the old dog’s quality of life was. This scenario is probably quite a usual thing amongst pet owners. Indeed, Dennis and I have had to face this on more than one occasion. We cling on and hope that tomorrow will bring a better day, but in spite of this the inevitable must be arrived at, and that is knowing just when is the right time to say that final goodbye.

Some of us have been blessed from time to time, when we have lost our dogs through old age, when they have been stolen away in their sleep. There are others which have met with a fatal accident and whilst these experiences are never without pain for us, we have at least been saved from that final act. Our own Vet has helped us in the past with our decision, but it is always the owner who has to have the final say, and knowing when the time is right is never easy. The dog as we know it is a stoic creature. It will battle on in spite of pain and infirmity. Perhaps this is an inherent passed from its ancestors, where if a dog shows it is ailing, it will be set upon by his pack making his dispatch much faster. The Veterinary profession will all agree that the right time is when your dog stops eating. That it may need much encouragement to eat, only to vomit the food back up again. Their joy and love of life is dulled and they become disinterested in taking their daily walk. Then of course the dog may be in considerable pain from some debilitating condition and no amount of medication will ease the discomfort. Whichever malaise affects our furry friends we have to make that final sacrifice and say goodbye. When we have said that hardest word of all, we are momentarily in a state of relief, knowing that our friend is now without pain. However, for some of us there is no consolation. Bereavement is one of the saddest periods in our lives to go through. It is an emotion that will strike many when it comes to our dogs. We should never feel guilty about our feelings. There are many cultures that can never understand why we should mourn the loss of a dog, and some will be derisory in their feelings towards us. These people are bereft of never sharing or understanding the unconditional love and sense of being that our dogs bring to our lives. Treasure you dog’s memory. You may have lost him, but you will be all the richer in mind and spirit for having known and loved him.

Dennis and Tina Homes