How is everyone doing?

Post your thoughts anyway if you’d like, there’s no competition. There’s always levels of severity with everything but it doesn’t mean that everything bar the top is insignificant.

 

tested + yesterday.

 

Get well.soon, still seemed to have avoided it so far

 

Thank you, one of the many things I promised Morg's those last few weeks was I'd continue to walk the places we did together and not let all the good work he had brought go to nothing and I will but at the minute it is still too hard, I'm hoping to go out this weekend as a family t do a walk because I'm better not alone but without Morg's by my side I've not the confidence to walk alone

 

This will be of no consolation to you now because you’ve lost your best mate in Morg. I know how that feels. They can never be replaced. But I’ve always taken the next one round the same streets and I've always told them they are walking in the paw prints of a great fella and they have to live up to it. And they do.

 

We last week had to say goodbye to our chocolate Labrador. He was 13-years-old and truly my best pal. It happened rather quickly too, in that he didn’t have a long period of pain or anything. I noticed him flagging since the turn of the year, and put it down to age. But a month or so ago, he wouldn’t move, he wouldn’t eat and we feared the worst. We were ready to take him to the vet the next day, but he suddenly perked up. Like it never happened. We put it down to eating something dodgy or whatever.

The weekend before he passed away, I was at home. Barnsley played on the Friday night at Huddersfield, so I had Friday night with him, Saturday with him (he laid on me as we watched Tyson Fury retain his titles) and on the Sunday we had a lovely walk in our usual place. He was bright, energetic (for a 13-year-old) and I left for work on Monday morning with no idea what was to come.

We’d just done Martin Devaney’s first presser when I got a phone call from a hysterical missus. He was really poorly, not moving, not eating and was pale with dry eyes. She was taking him to the vet at 3pm. I had an hour to get home (50 min journey). I bombed up that motorway like Ayrton Senna. I got to the vet just as the missus - and our dog - did. I saw him and immediately said “have you had enough buddy?” and I knew it was his time. He was telling us as much.

The vet examined him, he’d got internal bleeding and would suffer organ failure within the next 12 to 16 hours she said. Me and the missus were in tears, but she was much more distraught because I felt I had to be the strong one and make the call to put him to sleep. That was both awful to do, and to witness, but lovely in a way too. We both held a paw and kissed him goodbye.

We left, and because we were in separate cars, I fell apart when I was about to set off. High by the Lighthouse Family started randomly playing on my stereo, I was in floods of tears. That song will now always be associated with our beautiful boy, Bailey.

It’s been proper, proper hard to cope with his loss. He was adored by us. They aren’t just dogs. They’re amazing and members of our family.

It’s been over 10 days now and yes, it’s ‘easier’ to deal with day by day. But it absolutely knocked me for six. I’ve lost both parents and close friends, so I’m not without sorrow in my life. But yeah, April 25th was one of the hardest days of my life.

The missus always said we’d never have another dog. And in the aftermath of losing Bailey, she reiterated it. Nobody could replace him. But a few days ago she sent me photos of Labrador pups. She now agreed with me - let’s give another dog a decade or so of pure love and affection. And a couple of days later, she’s been and picked out a new Labrador puppy that we collect in two weeks time.

I know my dog. And he’d have wanted another dog to enjoy the wonderful life that he had with us. So when one door closes, another opens. Little Koby will be following in Bailey’s paw-steps soon!

Some hard to read stories in this lovely thread. But give me topics like this over incessant negativity any day of the week.

My heart goes out to a couple of you at least, in this thread. And as the OP first stated - anyone ever needs someone to talk to, I’m never far away.

 

Sounds like Bailey had a beautiful life with you both. You made the right call, animals mask pain so well.Looking forward to the puppy pics!

 

Great thread. Compared to some of the things on here it’s something and nothing but post Lockdown I feel a little bit divorced from everything. Not really connecting with much or many people.

 

Thanks. I am doing OK. Glad to hear you are managing to avoid it.

take Care DR

 

Up and down - mental health is a complete barseward. Some days ok some days absolutely fuc....king *****.

 

^^^^ This. Coupled with a few health concerns. Can't be arsed with pretty much anything.

 

Thank you, means a lot.

 

At times this forum can be very humbling.

 

I’m sorry to hear about Bailey. Well done for holding his paw at the end. He wouldn’t have left your side and you didn’t leave his. Koby will have a lot to live up to but I’m sure he’ll do it splendidly. Enjoy your new pup.

 

Hope you have a mild version and are feeling tip too soon.

 

Thoughts are with you mate.

 

Sorry to hear of your problems, old mate.

 

Hopefully, your recovery will go well.

 

Get another dog.

I'm not being insensitive. If a human friend of yours died you would spend time with other human friends as a means of coping and keeping the memory of your departed friend alive. You wouldn't dream of labelling these friends 'replacement friends', and spending time with them wouldn't mean you cared any less about your friend who is no longer there. You've lost a dog friend, get another dog friend.