The Darkest Day

[Rosscow]

Yesterday was the shortest day of the year. 21st December. A day I will never forget. It will now forever be known to me as the Darkest Day.

We had to say goodbye to our Doberman, Monty. My best friend, our first born so to speak. My heart is broken, and I think there will always be a part of it that won't mend.

We picked him up when he was 7 1/2 weeks old. He would have been 10 in February.

Telling the kids (8 and 5) the night before was terrible, but nothing can come close to when the vet came to our house yesterday to put Monty to sleep. We had enjoyed a final walk in the woods with him, and he even greeted the man that was to kill him with a wagging tail at the door.

I've never sobbed so much in my life. The loss of 3 grandparents didn't provoke racking sobs like I had yesterday.

My wife and I put the kids to bed last night and sat on his bed, smelling his blanket and cuddling his favourite toy. Crying.

I woke as usual this morning and went out on our usual morning walk, with his collar in my hand and tears in my eyes. Thank God it was dark so nobody could see me.

He was my best friend and I let them kill him. I know it was for the best and I know it had to be done before he really started to suffer. But now I feel like st.

I bloody love you, Monty. And I miss you so much already.

[garythesign]

So sorry to read this.

The pain will eventually subside to be replaced with good memories of your time together. How long this takes is different for each of us.

I have had to put to sleep three dogs and one cat, so far. It doesn't get any easier, but knowing you have given them a good life helps to soften the pain.

RIP Monty, a lovely looking dog

[Butter Face]

Sorry to hear it mate, it's the day I dread having to say goodbye to my 2!

You forget how little time they actually spend when compared to us, how short their time seems.

Just remember the good times and that you gave him a damn good home!

[moorx]

I am so very sorry

There are no words which will make you feel better right now, time is all that will heal the pain. In time you will be able to remember your pal with a smile but it's too raw at the moment. My wise old nan used to say that they take a bit of your heart with you when they go, and they do.

Monty was a very lucky boy to be so loved that his loss causes such pain, although I know that doesn't help right now.

[tonyb1968]

Sorry for your loss it gutted me for days after Lucky was PTS as they do feel so much a part of the family.

[Yertis]

Try to remember the great times you had, but I know how impossible that will be at this time. I lost my own Monty – a naughty whippet boy – four years ago Boxing Day, and still get tearful when I think about the brave little lad.

There should be special gallery, for all the dogs named Monty.

[Adam y0]

The one and only reason I can't bring my self to get a dog of my own. I don't think I could cope once they had passed.

Sorry for your loss, time is a healer!

[anonymous-user]

I know exactly how you're feeling, we've been like that every time one of our dogs has died.

As above time is a great healer and in 3 months time a new puppy will help massively.

[Coxey]

Sorry to hear this we lost our lab two years ago, it took us over a year to get over his loss, he will never be forgotton as he was our first family pet, now we have 2 golden retrievers.

The pain does subside, but like you say part of him will always be with you.

[dirkgently]

I have a fear, that when the time comes I will fail my little friend for my own selfish reasons, wanting a few more days.
Well done for serving him well.

[Tannedbaldhead]

dirkgently said:

I have a fear, that when the time comes I will fail my little friend for my own selfish reasons, wanting a few more days.
Well done for serving him well.

My dad is now the exact opposite. Family pets are recommended not to so much as sneeze in his presence.
He had a bad experience where he put the family dog through a prostate operation then a miserable month on medication where he never recovered. This was all done on the recommendation of the vet who thought the post op prognosis would have been better.

Have lost my fair share of dogs over the years and, yeah OP, it's st. My condolences.

[Turn7]

Been there and done that.....nothing worse tbh....

You have my heartfelt sympathies.

[bexVN]

I so know that feeling and I will never forget the pain of my heart being ripped apart saying goodbye to our Jimbo. I cried daily for 2 weeks. YOu will never forget him and there will always be pain but it will lessen and it will become memories with smiles not tears. My boy was only 3.5yrs at the time but he asked after him for ages after which was tough.

So sorry for your loss

[Turn7]

OP, you dont really state the reason, but you need to move away from the "kill him" phrase, to one of, I suspect, "prevent furher pain and suffering"...

Whilst I wholly understand the view, its not a nice one to hold onto...

Possibly a bit flowery, but helping them cross the rainbow bridge is a waaaaay better viewpoint IME.....


Edited for grammer...

Edited by Turn7 on Friday 22 December 22:07

[bexVN]

Turn7 said:

OP, you really state the reason, but you need to move away from the "kill him" phrase, to one of, I suspect, "prevent furher pain and suffering"...

Whilst I wholly understand the view, its not a nice one to hold onto...

Possibly a bit flowery, but helping them cross the rainbow bridge is a waaaaay better viewpoint IME.....

I have to agree. Kill suggests lack of empathy, compassion and that is so rarely the case and certainly not applicable here.

[LordHaveMurci]

Sadly I know exactly where you're coming from & what you're going through, been 9mths since losing my boy, nothing will ever fill that void.

Thoughts are with you, be there for each other.

[Rosscow]

Thnks for all of the comments.

Yes, kill was the wrong word, but I guess it was reflective of my mood at the time.

2 days later, and it’s still very raw. But we’ll get there.

[tonyb1968]

I lasted less than a week before I needed some more paws in my life, didn't feel right because it was such a short time after losing Lucky but Lottie is a total darling as is her (step) brother who arrived 14 months later.

[FiF]

You do get there, sort of, condolences.

I took our lab to the vet for her last trip on a Boxing Day. It was the right thing to do, we knew it, she knew it. I remember it as if it were yesterday. She was a good age for a Lab and we had grown up together, but it still feels like betrayal of the love and trust they put in you. It wasn't yesterday either, Boxing Day 1972. God it's dusty in here.

[Its Just Adz]

Very very sorry to hear this. Our pets hold onto our hearts so strong.