21 Comments
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EK MtnTime's avatar

My heart breaks for you! I went through something similar in June ‘21 when my constant companion of 13 years needed assistance in passing peacefully. He was the reason I got out of bed every day. I’ve never been more in love with any pet prior. I understand the whole in your heart and every tear and every inconsolable moment. I pray that you find solace in the obviously wonderful memories you shared and have had with her. You did your absolute best and she gave you all she had and this is exactly how all family members should be treated. How fortunate for you both! My sincere condolences 💐

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Jaime Jessop's avatar

Death is one thing, and separation is crushing, but it's this having to play God thing and deciding when you think the pain and suffering endured, or very soon to be unavoidably endured by your beloved canine companion justifies ending their life. I just can't do it anymore; it tears me apart.

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Leaf and Stream's avatar

The only thing that works in my experience is the passing of time. Different for everyone, of course , in duration, but not intensity. Nairn is a familiar place for us and our dog as well. And Northumberland the last few years. Dogs and beaches are meant for each other. When I lost my last dog Jake, for a few days I would have been happy to go to sleep and not wake up if I could have been with him, but of course that's selfish. And he will be waiting over the bridge for me when the time comes. For me, the answer was another dog. Though that wasn't easy at first because I was almost resentful that she wasn't Jake and didn't really take to her for a while. But they are all individuals of course and very quickly they become a big part of your world. All we can do is give them a good life. I'm sorry for your loss of a great friend.

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Jaime Jessop's avatar

I still have Mason to look after and I'm having to deal with his sadness at the passing of Alfa as well as my own, because he's very subdued at the moment. Alfa was the life and soul of our little party; the noisy, excitable one whenever it was time to go out, and she was the one always wanting to play. Mason fed off her mad enthusiasm. It's so horribly quiet now without her. But Mason's not exactly dog friendly with other dogs so it will probably be just him and us for a while.

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AYRE DAVID's avatar

Lovely dog. So sad when you lose such a loyal frriend.

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Douglas Brodie's avatar

So sad. We've been through this three times ourselves.

Look us up if you're ever back in Nairn.

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Jaime Jessop's avatar

Nairn is a lovely place. I have very fond memories of our brief time there.

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Jaime Jessop's avatar

Thank you all. There's one thing about grief - it's a very selfish emotion and intensely personal. But the replies here prove that grief is universal and it's OK to share.

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Roger Caiazza's avatar

Wonderful post. I understand your loss.

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Jeremy Poynton's avatar

Lovely, Jaime. I have not wept as I did when our beloved Pig died three years ago in a very long time. A part of me had gone (eased by having one of his pups as I wrote way back).

Pig loved the water as well, as does Bear. Both fantastic swimmers. Pig's last day was lovely. My brother and his wife, who he loved, were with us. Pig had this lovely move. Were he on my lap by the table, he would set off across the table, sit in front of whoever and look them hard in the eyes. Made real contact. Then a friend turned up who he had known since he was a pup; he and their dog became great (pheasant hunting) mates. More dog bliss. Then he had a stroke, and was gone ever so quicky, thank God. He's buried under a climbing rose in the back garden; I talk to him when gardening close by

14 years and 1 day when he died; Born 07/07/07; two days earlier, his second litter of grandpups were born. A long line follows him.

Bless your lovely Alfa; Pig too could leap like a salmon. Perhaps they'll meet in the happy hunting ground above.

Someone to me, on the matter of our hounds

"They make us better people, dogs". I believe that to be true.

Now Bear is telling me we knew to go out 😊

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Elizabeth Reeves's avatar

Animals take a piece of our hearts with them.

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Mel Remple's avatar

My heart hurts for you. 💔

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Katy Marriott's avatar

Sending you huge hugs. She looks to have been a lovely character - I particularly like the aerial photos and the bonkers water-trough snap.

How lucky she was to have found you - and how lucky you, to have been changed by her presence.

This too shall.pass. Spring *will* come, and she will always be leaping in your heart x

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Johnny Savvy's avatar

Hello from Chicago. As a fellow dog-lover I totally feel your grief. I know it's not much but the "Smile cuz it happened" helps sometimes... I actually saved Alfa's picture in the high flowers...great shot!

You will always be an Angel for rescuing Alfa! Thanks for sharing. Peace,,,

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Stephen Guthrie's avatar

What a wonderful life you gave her.

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Bill Beshlian's avatar

Sorry to hear Jamie

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pimaCanyon's avatar

beautiful pictures, beautiful dog. She lived a very good life and she had you to thank for that. And you had her to thank for that. You had each other. There is a level of trust and love and devotion a dog has for her human companion that is unlike anything else. I'm so very sorry for your loss.

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Patricia Russell's avatar

I am so sorry.

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Hilary 0's avatar

So sorry for your loss, Jaime. I've been through this with cats and dogs and it never gets any easier. But thank you for sharing such wonderful memories.

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