Lost my best mate on Tuesday - Updated 23/04/2024...........

[billbott]

I know some of you are also dog lovers so probably understand.
Lost my sprocker spaniel Dylan last Tuesday, and to say I’ve struggled is an understatement. Don’t think I’ve ever been as upset!
Had him for 15 years and two days. Don’t regret a second, and am missing him terribly.
Last couple of years he’s been getting worse on his legs then his rears went completely so we made the awful decision to let him go.
Always said I’d get another but am not sure now.

[JonW]

Sorry to hear that Bill.

Remember the good times.

[4l04ever]

RIP Dylan. :-(

If you love dogs, it is probably worth getting another one to hopefully have another 15 years of happiness.

[kirkhd]

Sad news indeed, lost our Staff a few years back now who was also 15yrs old and it took the Mrs a good 12 months to get over it.

[midlifecrisisrd]

Sorry to hear this Bill

RIP Dylan

Steve

[Yogi]

R.I.P DYLAN 😭

They leave a massive hole and break your heart when they go

I feel your pain Bill 💔

[dusty350]

So sad
Really sorry for your loss. They really are your best mate, and leave a massive hole in your life when they go.

RIP Dylan

[stusco]

Really sorry to hear this I know your pain

[peteholt]

So sorry for your loss. They give us our happiest days when they are with us and also the saddest day when they pass. RIP Dylan

[arrow]

Sorry to hear that news, I feel your pain.

[arrdy350]

Sorry to hear for your loss. 

[chrisg]

Really sad to hear that. At least he is no longer in pain. I know that feeling and its awful. Take care.

[veg]

Bill the love they bring is irreplaceable, friend, confidante, play mate and more. He will be waiting for you buddy.

[billbott]

Thanks for everyone’s kind comments.
I knew there was something wrong when the wife came out to my car when I got home from work. He’s been getting worse on his legs for a while but to see him keep collapsing was horrific. Even our daughter said it was his time to go, I thought she’d never allow it.
I can’t bl00dy bring myself to even eat a yoghurt yet, as I always left him the last bit!
We always said we’d get another but right now I just can’t face it, any new dog would have a lot to live up to.

[donkeychomp]

Always a heart breaker when your best friend passes away. Awful news mate, feeling for you.

Alex

[fabiostar]

so sad when this happens to a wee mucker.. iv 3 rug rats and they do become part of the family..

[fletche36]

So sorry for your loss. Even reading things like this brings a tear to my eyes. During my life i have seen lots of death/ destruction and devastation but the only thing that really gets to me is the passing of a dog.

[tout]

Not good news Bill, hope you and the family can recover and remember all the good times.

Tout

[bezzer]

So sorry to hear of your loss Bill. Dylan was obviously very loved mate, and you’d given him a great life.

It’s a heartbreaking decision you had to make, but you made it for him, not you, and that’s the most selfless thing you could have done.

He”ll always be a part of your life, and you can be thankful for that.

All the best bud. Iain.

[billbott]

Two weeks on and it seems each day I get a Facebook memory involving him. Today he was stood outside the chetham arms door waiting for me (he always ran ahead and sometimes sneaked in on the off chance someone had dropped a chip)
Keep looking at puppy adverts but still not sure - if the next lasted 15 years it could see me out!

Thanks again for al the kind words.

[veg]

The secret is to have loads, it still hurts like f##k but you’ve others that keep you going, wife and I have normally between 3 to 6 dogs at a time. I still miss all those that have passed, all are special ( he says with two spanners asleep on the bed beside me).
My mate in his 70’s knows should anything happen we will have his pup. Dogs are life savers, and prior to being diagnosed with ptsd it was my dogs that kept me going. They understood when no one else did, they never judged and always listen.
Look after yourself buddy. 👍

[billbott]

Apr 10, 2024 22:42:55 GMT 1 veg said:

The secret is to have loads, it still hurts like f##k but you’ve others that keep you going, wife and I have normally between 3 to 6 dogs at a time. I still miss all those that have passed, all are special ( he says with two spanners asleep on the bed beside me).
My mate in his 70’s knows should anything happen we will have his pup. Dogs are life savers, and prior to being diagnosed with ptsd it was my dogs that kept me going. They understood when no one else did, they never judged and always listen.
Look after yourself buddy. 👍

We debated having a second dog, but before we realised, Dylan got too old to walk far and I didn’t think it fair to lave him at home while I took another pup out.
Kinda wished I had I suppose….

[steve63]

We've never had dogs in our house or when I was a kid. We have cats. We had to put one of ours to sleep a couple of years ago and it effected me more than I ever thought it would and still think about her now and then. It's awful when the end comes but you should take comfort from the many years of good life you gave him and the pain free passing you allowed him at the end. He couldn't have had a better life I'm sure.

[spondon440]

I feel for you pal, 3 years since I lost Mojo and never a day goes by I don't think about him.
RIP Dylan

[tippy]

Dog mortality is painful, every time we go through it it is utterly heartbreaking. Feel your pain.

Tip

[alankelly]

Hi Bill

Sorry to hear the bad news

Yes they do leave behind a big hole as the give everything

Al

[antos]

Sorry for your loss😢
Lost our jack Russel a year ago he was 14, still feel like crying now when I think of him,
Buried him in the garden .

[vectisitch]

Sorry for your loss. They are family. We lost our frenchies a couple of years ago to a brain tumour after a couple of years off very expensive vet visits. Our last dog is a jack russel mix and is 15 now and failing fast. I think this year it'll happen. I can't imaginge not having a dog but to be honest i'm swaying to the "not" having another dog side as the vets bills are horrendous now.

[billbott]

Bit of an update….

I came home from work last Thursday lunchtime but the wife and daughter were both out at a show. First time I had come home to an empty house. Didn’t like it. Kept myself busy cutting the grass and fixing my car but the house was still quiet when I had my tea alone.

We couldn’t decide whether or not to get another dog but that day settled it for me.

Sometimes things happen for a reason and on Sunday I had a call from someone looking to re-home a pair of springers. They would let them go to good homes and understood that it would be hard to find a home for a pair.

A few calls and photos later and we are all debating the dog or the bitch but agreed to decide when we met them both.

So we went over last night and the dog immediately chose us so we brought him home with us!

Meet Solly. Pure bred springer spaniel. KC reg with a ‘full service history’
He is a bit timid but we assume that’s a result of living with an abusive owner / partner (of the lady looking to re-home)
Obviously very early days, but he loves to play ball and is very obedient.
Suffice to say, he has fallen on his feet…….!

[red998]

Sadly, I know that feelng only too well.  I have always had a dog throughout my life and I lost my last dog during the pandemic due to dementia, which was truly awful to witness.

I decided to get another dog and applied everywhere to get one RSPCA, Dogs Trust etc.  At that time the price of puppies was ridiculous and I was offered a Staffie for £2500!!! which i declined.

In the end I went to Staffie Rescue and manged to get a rescue dog from them and he is everything one could wish for, he is intelligent and well behaved and is a true joy to have and he is unusual in the he is a staffie\basenji cross.  A basenji is a small African hunting dog known for the fact it is unable to actually bark but they do make other noises!  As my dog is a crossbreed he can bark and you can see some staffie in him.  He does have very strong prey instincts though and will chase anything that moves given a chance.

If you think you can look after another dog capably then i would encourage you to get another as the companionship and loyalty they bring is sometimes beyond words.  My partner loves our rescue dog to bits which has surprised her as she had never had a dog herself and she is now very attached to him and it gives us both a chance for more exercise taking him out for walks.

Just saw the above comment which i did not notice before, congratulations on a new friend for life.