Private Group for paid up members of Boards.ie. Join the club.
Departed pets;
Comments
-
-
-
-
Been a good while since I posted, but last week I lost my incredible Benson. I have 3 other red setters and 2 cats but Benson was one of the original crew, he had been through so much by the time we rescued him that he was a nervous wreck and was practically uninsurable with his list of ailments. We reckoned he was at least 15 but as a pure rescue his DOB was unknown. He beat cancer when he was 8ish and that was almost 7 years ago.
Himself and Coco became best friends for life. When it was her time 3 years ago he sat minding her for the last few days before we said goodbye. He became less mobile in his final years, he had arthritis in his front shoulder, he also had bronchial COPD so had an inhaler for cough flare ups. But in the last couple of months of his life the cough changed slightly, and couldn't be cleared with the usual dose of steroids. His heart started racing and when the vets managed to do an Xray they found a large mass on his chest putting pressure on his heart and lungs and even his windpipe. The vets said it would be weeks, not months so we set about his bucket list which was mostly food related. Steak for breakfast, his own turkey for Christmas, special fried rice from the Chinese. His last trip to the beach was on New Years Day, 4 days before we let him go. He had a little paddle, barked at the birds and then sat up on grass verge taking in the air. On the Friday night he was eating chicken out of my hand at 11pm, little did I know the following morning his heart - which had been almost beating out of his chest for the previous few weeks - would fail, and he began to have breathing difficulties. He shuffled out to the garden for a last wee, sat down in the frosty grass and gave us the look.
Our wonderful vet who had said she would come out to the house was away and rang me to say she could be with us in 2 hours, but I couldn't let him suffer for 2 more hours so I brought him in and he was let go in the car.
I adore all my pets but Benson was my special boy. He was affectionately known as The King of the house. He would look at you and smile, and always seemed so grateful for the life we gave him, which he lived to the fullest. I miss him so much, I'm still looking for him under my feet in the kitchen, and regretting that I never made him his own lasagne in his final few weeks. (his eyes would light up when he knew there was pasta or a lasagne for the human dinner). The house is so quiet without the odd cough, or the bark that he let out when he wanted in or out of a room, or through a door. Rest easy Benson, you were the best boy.
26 -
-
Advertisement
-
-
There is so much more I could say about him. About how he was the friendliest, happiest dog, who absolutely loved meeting and greeting. 5 days before we let him go he was still shuffling out to meet doggy guests, tail going like a helicopter.
Or how he was absolutely petrified of children for the first few years that he came home, he would bark and run and hide - he had no idea what little people were for. Then in 2015 when we brought our daughter home from the hospital he was as instantly smitten as we were, he would snuggle in beside her and in time it made him realise that little people were nothing to be scared of.
Or how he had a habit when he was younger of coming in during the night for a snuggle in the bed and years ago when we were extending, we moved our bedroom across the hall and at bedtime he stood at the old bedroom door, so we opened it. He walked in to an empty room, but maintained his usual trot around where the bed used to be and around to my side and sat down as if to say, "well come in and sleep on the floor, this is where you sleep!"
Or how he would scream when it was time for walkies. He literally would lose his life with excitement and let out a high pitched yowl until he was released from the car, or the back gate into the field was opened. And how he would let out the same excited scream at birds, even when his brothers and sisters were doing perfect sets and he would gallop in screaming and scaring the birds. I swear they used to give him these withering looks as if to say "that's not what we're meant to do". But he never cared and happily galloped around screaming his brains out.
Or how he welcomed the cats when we rescued them as kittens about 18 months ago. All the dogs wanted to kill next doors cats, but somehow these 2 little ginger ninjas became part of the gang without any hassle at all. I remember one evening when the kittens were not even 5 months old, Benson ambled over to one of his favourite beds. He didn't see the kitten asleep in it until it was too late and he had plonked himself down on top of him. I don't know who got the worse fright, Benson or the kitten.
Or how he gave us nearly 14 years of unconditional love and affection and made us smile and laugh literally every day. He was a one in a million dog. Not a typical racy looking red setter, but a rough and ready and rugged looking boy, who's coat was shaggy and woolly and had eyes that could look into your soul. There will never be another dog like him. Pic from his youth when he was drop dead gorgeous.
20 -
-
-
-
Advertisement
-
-
I had to say goodbye to me beloved GSD yesterday.
She was 15 and a half and I'd known her since she was a day old.
I'm devastated.
I've been mentally preparing myself for this day,but when it happens it's a severe blow.
Rest easy Molly.
You were the best.
17 -
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
It’s been a good few years since I posted on boards.ie. I lost my dear furry friend and the best little dog on Thursday. Fluffy. She was nearly 18. She had been deteriorating for the last few months but on Thursday took a turn for the worst. She was my little shadow either by my side, in my arms or on my lap. I’ll miss her so much
RIP little pal. 2008 to 2025
21 -
Advertisement
-
-
-
-
-
I am heartbroken to have to add to this thread again. We said an unexpected goodbye to the bestest boy Totoro last Thursday. He'd been having some heart issues but developed a clot so we had to let him go. He was only 6. He'd spent the last 4 years plonked on my home office desk involving himself in emails, chats and teams meetings. Everyone in my office knew him and his butthole very well. And he was such a sweet tender boy, always so patient and eager for belly rubs and pets. He would tap me on the arm quite politely when he wanted affection (which was often). My entire life has been organised around him so I'm completely adrift these last few days. Today is the first working day I'm without him and my stupid desk is cold and lonely. I still can't believe he's gone.
14 -
-
-
-
Majda's days unfortunately came to the end today. She's been great part of our family. The sweetest temper, best friend, great foster mother especially to Victoria. She was sent away on her favourite grounds she loved to run on. Hope she is running happily wherever she went to!!
She gave us so much of love, it's hard to put it into words. We'll all keep her in our memories!
Hit the switch to keep the lights on.
13 -
Advertisement
-
