I am so sorry for you Gareth. During his all too short life, you had Charlieās love and he had yours. That is worth a world entire.
Think of him often.
3 Likes
@Gareth my heart goes out to you.
1 Like
Know the feeling only too well and there are no words that cover it. We lost our beloved whippet back in September and even though she was 17+ and had a long and full life. What was the point going for a walk without a dog by your side? We have had to learn to live differently and 5 months later I am still adjusting to returning to an empty house but now in our 70s I donāt think we will have another dog and we have to get our canine fix looking after other peopleās dogs from time to time.
I am guessing you are much younger and, impossible and disloyal though it may seem now, a puppy is one of the best tonics at a time like this, when you are ready.
1 Like
We thought the same when we said goodbye to Bertie in the spring of 2025. That idea lasted for a month. OH was in bed with flu. I was in the lounge, alone, watching late night TV and there was a space on the sofa where a dog should have been.
OH wanted (and only wanted) another Airedale. I thought it was madness (Iām 78 and they are big, strong dogs) but then relented. And 9 month old Rona came into our lives. Best thing we ever did. She keeps us young. We have to get out and walk her (3 times a day) whatever the weather. She makes us laugh and fills our home with love. And sets up conversations with other people "Quelle est la race de votre chien ?"
When Iāve been travelling back to the UK I know OH is safe, has company and someone to talk to and is in a routine that revolves around her, so he cannot sit all day in front of the computer.
To have a dog in our lives (whatever our age) is very precious.
9 Likes
It is a tough thing to do, but the kindest.
Give yourselves time to grieve and then look for another companion, perhaps one who is in need of a loving home.
4 Likes
I know exactly what you mean, but the past couple of years have been seriously limiting for us, with the past 6 months at least meaning that we could barely leave the house alone, and certainly not to travel overseas together (and even the previous 12 months entailed 3:00am clean-ups in hotel corridors and etc). Even if we opt for a rescue dog I am not sure we will be able to cope with that again as we age, and with grandchildren in the UK not travelling is much harder, much as we love staying home.
We really do miss her, though.
1 Like
So sorry to hear your news Gareth. Its very hard to say goodbye to such a good friend. We had to do the same for our old labrit, a long time ago now. But I have lots of photos that remind us of the old guy and the scrapes we got into. You gave Charlie a good life and vice versa. It leaves a hole though. Thinking of you.
1 Like
I know how you feel i have lost a son and many pets in my long life. The heartache is still the same. The loss of a family member, no matter what species, human or animal, is devastating. You should go and get another dog to offset the grief. I wish I could go out and get another son though. I wish you all the very best.
1 Like
For Charlie!
1 Like