UPDATE: Zoey passed on January 4, 2025 at about 2:00pm ET. It was a sunny day, she had way too much pickled herring (her favorite!) and she was at peace. She was 14 years, 7 months old.
Oh Gérard I lost my dog a year ago this Monday. It’s so hard - and my walks are so hard to bear on my own. It’s like losing a child and a best friend all at once. Sending you so much love.
You're not alone in wrestling with these tough questions. I had to say goodbye to my best buddy in September and I started fostering soon after, then "foster failed" but of course succeeded in finding another good buddy. There are no right answers.
I subscribed to your Substack the other day on the recommendation of (the brilliant) Paul Crenshaw, and the very first post landing in my email has me fighting back tears. The strength of the bond makes the breaking so agonizing.
Paul is brilliant! I promised myself that I would try writing more on joy after I collected my past ten years into a book, after I took a break and I break my promise by releasing the draft I’ve been staring at for months… 😔 Zoey is the last of a very large pack of canine friends which makes it even harder. She is also the oldest any of them have ever been so she is my longest canine relationship. These days, we sleep together on the sofa on the main level because she can’t go up stairs… I’ve said too much already… it is hard… thanks for walking a little ways with me.
I'm content to read anything that is well written and I don't mind reading something that brings tears (it reminds me I can still care enough to have that response). I'm sorry that, in this case, it is your misery which is reminding me of my humanity. I lost the last of my pet friends (a cat) a few years ago. The last loss does hit even harder, because it is also the loss of connection to the pack and shared memories.
I wish I had magic words to make it easier, but...
Gerard I am so sorry. So so so sorry. I have lost 3 dogs (2 to old age, 1 to illness) and the dog-size holes in my heart never healed. I still miss them every single day. It is devastating.
This is not an easy position to be in; after 25 years of faithful and loving companionship. Knowing that this is coming to an end. The love. I do not know if there is an afterlife, but if there is one, I want to be reunited with all my faithful animal companions.
I’m sorry and sad, Gerard. Dogs are such precious little beings and add so much to our lives. Losing them leaves a big hole in our lives and heart. In my personal experience, the only thing that helped, was adopting another dog after a while. My dog would have wanted another pup to have a chance at a loving home. If that’s in the cards…you’ll feel it and find the right pup waiting for you.
You gave your dog the absolute joy of your companionship, and your dog had the comfort of passing before you. As C S Lewis said "The pain I feel now is the happiness I had before. That's the deal". You will heal, and you will look back with love (and I believe your dog will always be walking beside you).
I'm so sorry for your loss! I'm struggling with my 12 year old aging and every time I think about her dying, it crushes me. Just remember the good times and long walks and honor the dog's memory any time you can! ❤️
It's so hard. Best wishes, Gérard.
Thank you. It is the hardest hard… 😢
Oh Gérard I lost my dog a year ago this Monday. It’s so hard - and my walks are so hard to bear on my own. It’s like losing a child and a best friend all at once. Sending you so much love.
This is so hard. I am sorry you are going through it.
You're not alone in wrestling with these tough questions. I had to say goodbye to my best buddy in September and I started fostering soon after, then "foster failed" but of course succeeded in finding another good buddy. There are no right answers.
💙 for you and Zoey, Gerard. And tell society to do one with all of that "brave face" bull chips.
I subscribed to your Substack the other day on the recommendation of (the brilliant) Paul Crenshaw, and the very first post landing in my email has me fighting back tears. The strength of the bond makes the breaking so agonizing.
Paul is brilliant! I promised myself that I would try writing more on joy after I collected my past ten years into a book, after I took a break and I break my promise by releasing the draft I’ve been staring at for months… 😔 Zoey is the last of a very large pack of canine friends which makes it even harder. She is also the oldest any of them have ever been so she is my longest canine relationship. These days, we sleep together on the sofa on the main level because she can’t go up stairs… I’ve said too much already… it is hard… thanks for walking a little ways with me.
I'm content to read anything that is well written and I don't mind reading something that brings tears (it reminds me I can still care enough to have that response). I'm sorry that, in this case, it is your misery which is reminding me of my humanity. I lost the last of my pet friends (a cat) a few years ago. The last loss does hit even harder, because it is also the loss of connection to the pack and shared memories.
I wish I had magic words to make it easier, but...
...it is hard, indeed...
🥺❤
My heart aches for you. Sending so much love.
I’m sorry to hear your dog is so ill. 💔
Gerard I am so sorry. So so so sorry. I have lost 3 dogs (2 to old age, 1 to illness) and the dog-size holes in my heart never healed. I still miss them every single day. It is devastating.
This is not an easy position to be in; after 25 years of faithful and loving companionship. Knowing that this is coming to an end. The love. I do not know if there is an afterlife, but if there is one, I want to be reunited with all my faithful animal companions.
I’m sorry and sad, Gerard. Dogs are such precious little beings and add so much to our lives. Losing them leaves a big hole in our lives and heart. In my personal experience, the only thing that helped, was adopting another dog after a while. My dog would have wanted another pup to have a chance at a loving home. If that’s in the cards…you’ll feel it and find the right pup waiting for you.
My heart breaks for you
I’m so sorry!!!
You gave your dog the absolute joy of your companionship, and your dog had the comfort of passing before you. As C S Lewis said "The pain I feel now is the happiness I had before. That's the deal". You will heal, and you will look back with love (and I believe your dog will always be walking beside you).
I'm so sorry for your loss! I'm struggling with my 12 year old aging and every time I think about her dying, it crushes me. Just remember the good times and long walks and honor the dog's memory any time you can! ❤️