Facebook recently reminded me of this Hubski post. A link to this post I made popped up in my feed and said that 5 years ago I posted it.
Since making this post I have had to euthanize 2 more “best friends.” It never gets easier.
No more dogs for us. It’s too painful.
It's my personal opinion that there is no other animal out there that can come close to matching let alone surpass the dog in its capacity to love and its longing for companionship. That their loss can bring so much pain is a testament to how much dogs' love for us and our love for dogs can profoundly affect us. I can't fault you for not wanting to open yourself to that kind of pain again, in fact I'm getting kind of emotional thinking about your post, but its wonderful to know that the dogs in your life were a blessing and that you're so moved by their loss tells me that you were an equal blessing in their lives. I don't know what else to say at the moment, so I'll leave it there.No more dogs for us. It’s too painful.
We put down my childhood dog in early high school. I remember reading your original post way back when and really feeling it. My dad and I still talk about her - he's careful to not talk for too long. His eyes get watery; mine too. She was there for everything. He's had 5 dogs since, 3 still living. None for me, life circumstances and my own fear haven't arranged for it. My wife and I are thinking about getting a dog soon. She never had one growing up - she doesn't know what she's about to get herself in to. I don't know what else to say except I know that pain.
My fourth dog, and my wife's first pet, is over 12 now. For a Lab/Shepherd/Husky mix, that's OLD. She is still very active. Not in pain. Getting up after sleeping for a while can be hard to get the hips moving, and she needs help jumping up into the car from time to time. But she's still healthy. But she won't be forever. 15 would be amazing. My wife and my dog have a very unique friendship and relationship. They are completely devoted to each other. When my dog dies, my wife will be destroyed. Utterly. I know this, and try to help her come to terms with Layna's aging, but... the fact is, nothing can prepare you for that Day After, when you go to pet the dog and she isn't there. It's gonna suck. So the three of us spend as much time together as possible, right now, while we can. I do not want to look back and think, "I should have _____ more with Layna."