Bye bye Mr Basil
Discussion
Had to happen sooner or later sadly.
My wife's English Springer - her first dog she'd had since a puppy and was like the child she'd never had was at nearly 15, sadly put to sleep last week.
Basil was a tough old dog. He'd had both hips, and both knees replaced, never cried, complained or chewed a thing in his life. We were very lucky - he was quite special (in a good way).
The last few years he had a degeneration of his bones, weakening his back legs and starting to become incontinent. He would often collapse when walking and got to the point where he had zero quality of life.
I didn't want to say anything to my wife - as she needed to come to terms with things herself but last week she realised "it was time".
Walking back in the door with the collar and lead, she was heartbroken.
I'm sure that like everything the grieving process will run it's course - and for the moment she doesn't want another dog as she feels she will always compare it to Mr Basil.
Not sure how others deal with this ?
Do we get a puppy now to take her mind off it ?
Anyway. Mr Basil can run free again.
My wife's English Springer - her first dog she'd had since a puppy and was like the child she'd never had was at nearly 15, sadly put to sleep last week.
Basil was a tough old dog. He'd had both hips, and both knees replaced, never cried, complained or chewed a thing in his life. We were very lucky - he was quite special (in a good way).
The last few years he had a degeneration of his bones, weakening his back legs and starting to become incontinent. He would often collapse when walking and got to the point where he had zero quality of life.
I didn't want to say anything to my wife - as she needed to come to terms with things herself but last week she realised "it was time".
Walking back in the door with the collar and lead, she was heartbroken.
I'm sure that like everything the grieving process will run it's course - and for the moment she doesn't want another dog as she feels she will always compare it to Mr Basil.
Not sure how others deal with this ?
Do we get a puppy now to take her mind off it ?
Anyway. Mr Basil can run free again.
I am very sorry for your loss. Basil was a very handsome lad.
I have always got a new dog quite soon after losing one - until we lost Sam whippet about a year ago. We still have three dogs, but I am really undecided about getting another. Sam's death hit us really hard, and - whilst I look have looked at other dogs on the web - I really just want Sam back. So it's probably not fair at the moment.
I think only you and your wife can make the decision about whether (and when) you take on another dog. It needs to be the right time for you. If she's worried about comparisons, it might be best to leave it for a while. I would always advocate a rescue dog, but that's all I've ever had.
I have always got a new dog quite soon after losing one - until we lost Sam whippet about a year ago. We still have three dogs, but I am really undecided about getting another. Sam's death hit us really hard, and - whilst I look have looked at other dogs on the web - I really just want Sam back. So it's probably not fair at the moment.
I think only you and your wife can make the decision about whether (and when) you take on another dog. It needs to be the right time for you. If she's worried about comparisons, it might be best to leave it for a while. I would always advocate a rescue dog, but that's all I've ever had.
Edited by moorx on Tuesday 20th September 20:42
Thanks all for the nice words.
Yes - my parents had Springers when I was a kid growing up and they have great personalities.
I think she's decided to wait for a bit and let the dust settle before getting into another dog.
I also think she will definitely go for a rescue dog - but I think we need to choose as carefully as the rescue centres here in the Netherlands seem to be in selecting owners. No bad thing !
Yes - my parents had Springers when I was a kid growing up and they have great personalities.
I think she's decided to wait for a bit and let the dust settle before getting into another dog.
I also think she will definitely go for a rescue dog - but I think we need to choose as carefully as the rescue centres here in the Netherlands seem to be in selecting owners. No bad thing !
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