Run free, Charlie... Run free 😢

[Gareth]

When I met my partner for the first time, she asked me if I liked dogs. She explained that she would soon be collecting Charlie the cavapoo, so if I didn’t like dogs then we’d not get along. She also said that if Charlie didn’t like me then we’d have no future either. I was indifferent to dogs but I liked her, so I said I was a dog lover, and hoped he’d like me.

Shortly afterwards, I was introduced to Charlie. He was only a few months old, he wasn’t house trained and he chewed anything and everything. But, luckily for me, he also appeared to like me.

Over the past 8½ years, we’ve grown as a family - the 3 of us. We moved house a lot, including relocating to France during lockdown. We picked up new hobbies and interests… I never knew just how much I’d enjoy going on long walks at the beach. And we spent hours together on the sofa or him keeping me company whilst I Worked From Home.

Two years ago Charlie was diagnosed with hip dysplasia. It’s fairly common in dogs but he was only about 6 and it was already quite advanced. That explained why, all of a sudden, he could no longer run after his tennis balls. We found an “animal kiné” who worked wonders. Long walks at the beach were replaced with more frequent but much shorter walks. We bought him a ramp because he could no longer jump up onto the car seats… And Charlie loved going for drives in the car more than anything.

Then, a couple of months ago, Charlie had issues with his anal glands… I even joked about it on here. The vet couldn’t purge one gland for some reason and so sent him to La Rochelle for a thorough scan. During the scan they discovered a tumour, although it was thought to be benign.

He needed another type of scan before they could operate on the tumour, which he had exactly 2 weeks ago to the day. Sadly the results this time were devastating. He was diagnosed with a metastatic lung tumour, and we were told he only had weeks, maybe months if he was lucky, left to live.

His condition quickly deteriorated and so tonight, at 19h30, he was put to sleep. It’s the hardest thing my partner and I have had to do, but we’re trying to take comfort knowing he’s no longer suffering. He was loyal until the end.

My heart is truly broken right now.

[John_Scully]

Aww, poor Charlie, and poor you two. Home will be unusually quiet now. My advice (for what its worth) is find a new pal ASAP, there are so many longing for a caring , loving home. You’ll always remember Charlie but having a new member of the family to look after will help to distract from your loss.

[Mik_Bennett]

That’s such a sad story Gareth. Life deals some hard knocks sometimes. Remember the good times you had.

[Porridge]

Thank you for telling us, @Gareth . You made the kindest gesture of love in letting him go.

It’s a sad story for you, for your partner and for us, but a lovely thing to think that Charlie spent his whole life in the heart of a loving family.

[vero]

I’m so sorry Gareth, all my condolences

[toryroo]

Awww Gareth I’m so sorry

[SuePJ]

Oh Gareth, this is the hardest of times, they always go before us. And it is the kindest of gifts when we let them go. I’m so sorry.
This say it all:

“He knelt down beside him and took his head on his lap. He stroked Beaumont’s head and said, ‘Hark to Beaumont. Softly, Beaumont, mon ami. Oyez a Beaumont the valiant. Swef, le douce Beaumont, swef, swef.’ Beaumont licked his hand but could not wag his tail. The huntsman nodded to Robin, who was standing behind, and held the hound’s eyes with his own. He said, ‘Good dog, Beaumont the valiant, sleep now, old friend Beaumont, good old dog.’ Then Robin’s falchion let Beaumont out of this world, to run free with Orion and to roll among the stars.”

from The Sword in the Stone by T.H. White

[Debby_Wade]

Letting them go peacefully is never easy but you did the right thing, even though it caused you heartbreak.
Maybe , when the times right you’ll both find your next companion.

[PeterJ]

Very sorry to hear your news, the kindest final thing we can do for our pets is to ensure they never suffer

[ChrisMann]

So sorry to hear your news @Gareth - my family have always had dogs and they do become really beloved so I understand your pain.

Currently I don’t have a dog myself, but She Whose Views Must Be Taken Into Consideration has a one year old minature Schnauzer called Luna who I am in the process of getting to know!

[Mark]

So sorry to hear your sad news @Gareth . It’s the hardest thing in the world to do even though you know its for the best. They’re your constant faithful companion and best friend and saying goodbye is far sadder than losing family members. Give it a month or 2 and then decide if and when to get another dog, but always remembering they have relatively short lives.

[DrMarkH]

Saddened to read your post, so many of us can relate to it.

@John_Scully

My advice (for what its worth) is find a new pal ASAP, there are so many longing for a caring , loving home.

It’s the best way to cope with loss.

[vero]

@SuePJ

The Sword in the Stone by T.H. White

That bit always makes me howl

[SuePJ]

Agreed.

[MauraChambers1]

So sad. Sending condolences.

[JaneJones]

Such a hard thing to do! But all he would have know is that you were there, so nothing anxious for him. Just hell’ish for you. I still miss my Isi after18 months as they stay with you, and such good memories you’ll have.

Commiserations to you both, your house must feel so empty right now. It does get better.

[Corona]

I hoped the story wasn’t going to end that way, so sad Gareth, condolences to you and your partner. I dread the day that happens but hopefully 10-12 away yet.

[Rachel05]

Really sad news Gareth. Today is 3 years since we lost our darling little Rosie and it still hurts. Dogs are beautiful, loyal, loving animals and although it was a very tough decision, it was the right one for Charlie. Rosie (and Annie who passed away in 2020) are on the lookout for him. They’ll take care of him for you

[MaryW]

Very sorry to hear of your loss. In this world, I think the journey through life that you had with Charlie matters so much!

We lost Fred last July, and we’re watching his brother Barney as he gets closer to his time. I go past the tree I planted for Fred and still get wistful.

Perhaps, for you and for me too, the solution might be to adopt again and begin the journey to take care and grow with another lovely animal companion. There are so many who are begging for rescue….

Best wishes and those lovely walks sound so memorable.

[SeaGem]

My deepest condolences to you both. I feel your pain, it’s absolutely heartbreaking. When you have to make this devastating decision it, unfortunately, brings a tsunami of mixed emotions from pain, grief, guilt, anger and immense sadness but these feelings will ease in time. I write this from my own personal experience which made me quite poorly last year. I felt like I couldn’t go on with my life without my best friend Oscar by my side. In time the pain eases but a little piece of your heart dies with them when they pass. Charlie was a huge part of both of your lives and he always will be. Stay strong. RIP Charlie boy