Goodbye Bertie
Discussion
It never ever gets easier does it? In fact it is worse every time.
Bizarrely, this is the second time where the exact night of an English tournament exit is made totally irrelevant by a life changing event.
In 2004, my amazing daughter was born. And tonight, at the age of 4.5, we took the unavoidable, harrowing but loving decision to say goodbye to Bertie.
He suffered with Diabetes and Addison’s Disease. But he remained an absolute force of nature and the heart of our family.
Although he had underlying conditions he had been well for months. Tonight he suffered a series of distressing seizures, and he is now at peace.
Stunned and devastated. But so lucky to have known him.
The picture was taken at the weekend, when I went to enjoy the sunset with him on the North Wessex Downs. I am so glad I had that evening with him.
Bizarrely, this is the second time where the exact night of an English tournament exit is made totally irrelevant by a life changing event.
In 2004, my amazing daughter was born. And tonight, at the age of 4.5, we took the unavoidable, harrowing but loving decision to say goodbye to Bertie.
He suffered with Diabetes and Addison’s Disease. But he remained an absolute force of nature and the heart of our family.
Although he had underlying conditions he had been well for months. Tonight he suffered a series of distressing seizures, and he is now at peace.
Stunned and devastated. But so lucky to have known him.
The picture was taken at the weekend, when I went to enjoy the sunset with him on the North Wessex Downs. I am so glad I had that evening with him.
Edited by CloudStuff on Thursday 16th July 03:11
Edited by CloudStuff on Thursday 16th July 03:11
Awful news.
You first sentence is spot on, it gets worse every time but we keep doing it to ourselves, home just isn't right without a dog or two getting under your feet.
We try and look at it as the time they had with us was as good as we could provide one that thousands of other less fortunate animals wish they'd had.
You first sentence is spot on, it gets worse every time but we keep doing it to ourselves, home just isn't right without a dog or two getting under your feet.
We try and look at it as the time they had with us was as good as we could provide one that thousands of other less fortunate animals wish they'd had.
Thanks everyone. It really, really stings, as we all know it does.
Dug his grave with my son today in our garden. Was actually quite cathartic as he was trying to make sense of it, and why women and men handle it differently.
The manual labour helps distract too.
But yes, this one will sting for quite a while.
Dug his grave with my son today in our garden. Was actually quite cathartic as he was trying to make sense of it, and why women and men handle it differently.
The manual labour helps distract too.
But yes, this one will sting for quite a while.
Ours has been gone a year and I m still debating whether to get another.
He went suddenly and I can honestly say I don t think I have felt worse (might sound odd but worse than my Dad going!).
I don t think anyone that hasn t had a dog realises how attached you become and how much a part of your life they are!
He went suddenly and I can honestly say I don t think I have felt worse (might sound odd but worse than my Dad going!).
I don t think anyone that hasn t had a dog realises how attached you become and how much a part of your life they are!
Edited by craig1912 on Thursday 16th July 21:07
moorx said:
My wise old nan used to say they take a piece of your heart with them when they go. Fits with my experience 
So, so true.Starting to "process" it this morning, and feel more balanced. Had to run from the local co-op yesterday to get to my car before the floods of tears started. The state of me.
Anyway, the cliché is true - the amount of grief reflects the depth of love.
Dog ownership really feels like the meaning of life.
Edited by CloudStuff on Saturday 18th July 11:03
Dogs don't judge you, they don't care if you're rich or destitute beautiful or ugly as a sin they're always happy to see you and live their lives for you (some belly rubs tasty treats good food and long walks are welcome mind), the only time they leave your side is when they die, if you ever find all that in a human partner you're one lucky soul.
@OP, I'm very sorry for your loss. I almost didn't read this thread as I find them quite upsetting.
craig1912 said:
He went suddenly and I can honestly say I don't think I have felt worse (might sound odd but worse than my Dad going!).
I didn't (couldn't) post on here when Lola went last October, but I said to someone recently, that was the worst, as in most affecting, bereavement I've ever suffered - and I'm 65. We still have Otis but he's 12 now. I am still of the mind that I won't have another after this because it's simply far far too painful when they go.Gassing Station | All Creatures Great & Small | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff