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No One Prepares You!

The Loss of Your Best FrK9nd!

By Liam MooneyPublished 6 years ago 5 min read
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Jay-Jay/2007-2018/Weimaraner/Best Friend/Companion

For some reason you never hear about what it's like to experience the end of you and your companions story together.

It starts with the first knock. It doesn't have to be anything big. The first knock hits them hard! It hits them hard but they are tough and they put on the brave face because they know you're scared and your company is all they want. For example my Dog, Jay-Jay, had a stroke while I was on holiday! It was a horrible feeling, when I finally got to him I knew that it affected him mentally and not just physically and the damage was done. He'd never be that same again. This didn't affect his personality but only his physical capabilities and his confidence in himself.

When this happens to your four legged friend they will at some point give you a look. A look that says, "Sorry, my friend, my legs won't let me do what we used to, so is it ok if we slow down a little?"

This is when it hits home! It hurts that your story together is reaching its last few chapters, there is only so many more pages to be written and its up to you how they are written. This should not scare you as he is your best friend and you know him better than anyone!

Walks are regular but not too regular! You don't want to tire him out. Keep the walks frequent but short.

Be lenient. Don't forget he knows there's something wrong him but he still doesn't understand it. Your going to let him get away with things you wouldn't of before. It's fine you need to fill the time you have left together with positive memories as you won't forget the mischief anyways!

The Decision

Gone!

No one will ever agree with the decision they make when it's time, not even you. It will infuriate you. No one! No one no matter how big, small, mean or happy should have there end scheduled. It's the truth! BUT! As much as we communicate with our panting pals, they can never tell us when its too much and they hurt and the struggle can't show you more. You only can understand what you can see.

Your positive companion is tired! When you decide it's time, you'll notice one more look from your furry friend. Where their pain is too much, they can't enjoy themselves or you as much as they want to. They struggle to get up and say hello once, never mind 20 times in 5 minutes.

As much as no one wants to write the last page of your book together, it has to be written! Cry with your K9 as it's one of the last times you will get to do so. Appreciate and try and memorise as many features as you can from the silk feel of the ears to his tongue on skin. Appreciate the personality you've been graced to look after you for the past years. The decision you've made is painful and his naiveness cuts you so much deep.

BUT LET'S GO OUT WITH A BANG!

Make the day of it!

Walk your paths for the last time. Go to your favourite spots and just sit. embrace the weather even if it's sun or rain, it doesn't matter! Throw the ball, just not too far. Take it in, this is the last walk!

You need to look your best! Go to the Doggy Salon. Get him smelly fresh and looking Top Dog! The squad is on point for the last roll out!

Go for a drive! Put the window down and watch his nose have a field day! Let him visit and play with his K9 friends for the last time. You will always have the last good bye!

Let's eat! Go to Maccies or the Butcher for the best last meal. As long as he enjoys it, it doesn't matter what it is! As you eat, appreciate this is the last time you munch together! Look at your friend as they look back at you wanting more Maccies! Appreciate the times you've had from Day one to Day 900. Say his name maybe a few more times to appreciate the reaction from him. If it's just a look or a bark, it doesn't matter, you gave him that name.

The Last Journey, the last page!

While you drive to the vets you cry because you know the next time you come down this road it will just be you. His naiveness is something you can't avoid noticing as it cuts you so deep. This conflicts with your decision. He's tired now, he's done his time.

I'm sorry, the guilt is overwhelming of what is about to come. The feeling you have that makes you want to get back in the car with him and go home is selfish, as he can't explain or describe the pain and suffering he's in. It's his right to be free from pain and discomfort. No one has the right to take that away from him, especially you!

You're in the vets. The vet calls you and you walk down the most painful walk to the room. You have two choices stay with him till the last second, or leave him with the vet.

STAY, STAY, STAY, STAY!

Before anything happens, get him to lay on you, comfortably, and tell him what he means to you and how much of unbelievable companion he is! Kiss him and hold him tight, let him lick you. Speak softly to him as it happens and make sure you keep saying his name for reassurance as he will be scared. Hold him, stroke him as you feel him go to sleep for the last time. This time, there is no snoring and there is no dream twitching. Something that will scare you the most will be his lack presence, the body's limpness will horrify you, and it will be the first taste of never experiencing his personality again. This will hit you right there and then and there's no escape. Stay for as long as you want, but remember no goodbye will do him justice. The amount you stay isn't for him, but for you. If I could tell you that you will see him again, I would, but I don't know. Ashes or no ashes, this won't make a difference; the pain will be the same. Mourn and mourn hard. That's all I can say.

Words will never do justice to what you will experience, but make the most of it because the pain after doesn't go away, and it takes a long time for it to even get a little bearable.

Sorry for your loss. I hope this helps. I lost my best friend Jay-Jay, he was my buddy, my carer, and the only PERSON I could confide in.

Thank you for the read.

I love JAY!

My Buddy

dog
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