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    Home » farm life

    By Amanda Smyth 27 Comments

    goodbye Jack

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    Jack joined David today.

    Our beautiful, naughty red dog is no more.  It wasn't a flashy end, just a single long exhale from tired old dog who's body could no longer cope with life's demands.

    His death also marks the severance of yet another link with David.  When Jack arrived in our lives we were just pups ourselves - carefree and oblivious to what life would one day throw at us.

    Jack and I in happier times

    The Vet has been so caring as we've nursed Jack through his deteriorating health.  Despite our efforts, it became apparent that there wasn't a recovery in Jack's future.  She was gentle and sympathetic when she came to the farm this morning with her vial of green dream.  For our special (and sometimes infuriating) hound, there are worse things than dying.

    Still, I feel I've lost a mate today and no doubt there will be more tears this afternoon when I tell the Big Sister that he died.  Our beautiful and resilient daughter has already suffered too much loss in her little life.

    When asked about afterlife for canines, Robert Louis Stevenson replied "You think dogs will not be in heaven? I tell you, they will be there long before any of us."  I hope they have plenty of balls.

    ever had to say goodbye to a much loved pet?

     

     

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. JulesGalloway says

      October 21, 2013 at 1:47 pm

      So sorry to hear about Jack. We have 2 old dogs, and one hasn't been well lately, so this has been a topic of discussion (and the source of many tears) at our house too. Sending hugs your way xo

      Reply
      • Amanda, Cooker and a Looker says

        October 21, 2013 at 1:52 pm

        Thanks Jules. It's a tough decision to make. I hope your vet is as wonderful as ours.

        Reply
        • JulesGalloway says

          November 04, 2013 at 10:58 pm

          She was wonderful. Couldn't have asked for better. Here's the post I wrote about it: http://julesgalloway.com/we-lost-a-furkid-last-week/ Hope you're ok xoxo

          Reply
      • Dawn Pereira says

        October 24, 2013 at 1:45 pm

        So sorry to hear about Jack. David will welcome him with open arms. Malcolm wanted me to send you this poem which was something he learnt from his Dad when he was a little boy. The dog in life the firmest friend, the first to welcome foremost to defend. He fights breathes, lives for him alone, the rich man's guardian the poor man's friend. The only creature faithful to the end, lots of love to you and the family.
        Dawn & Malcolm

        Reply
    2. Sarah @ Slapdash Mama says

      October 21, 2013 at 1:53 pm

      I'm so sorry. When our family dog died not long after my Nana, it was absolutely heartbreaking. He and David will be up there together, just like our little Max is sitting on the verandah with Nana watching the world go by. xxxxxxxxxx

      Reply
      • Amanda, Cooker and a Looker says

        October 21, 2013 at 2:08 pm

        I love that picture. Thanks Sarah. x

        Reply
    3. Me says

      October 21, 2013 at 2:05 pm

      I;m so sorry to hear about Jack. We lost animals when we were little and I remember the cattery losing our cat when we went on holiday. After that we didn't have any pets because my Dad was tired of us being upset when they died or were lost !
      We now have two staffies and I just dread the day they leave us - as much as they can be tiresome, there will certainly be tears when they die.
      Sending heaps of hugs to you and your family !
      Me

      Reply
      • Amanda, Cooker and a Looker says

        October 21, 2013 at 2:09 pm

        Thanks. I hope it's a very long way off for you. x

        Reply
    4. Meg says

      October 21, 2013 at 2:09 pm

      My folks made a similar decision about our much loved dog a few years back. The appointment was made with the vet, but I think he got wind of it (he'd never been a fan of visits to THAT place for anything) and that morning he took himself off for one last sleep in the bed he'd had since puppy-hood. Not a bad way to go. My father, who'd always humoured the rest of the family's doting on the "silly dog", seemed to have a couple of things in eye that day as we said goodbye. (Mind you, my visiting young Godaughter offered deep comfort later that evening by confiding that when their (also elderly) dog died she would be finally allowed to get a bunny). Hugs to you and all of Jack's family.

      Reply
    5. Have a laugh on me says

      October 21, 2013 at 2:21 pm

      Oh honey I'm very sorry to hear that - I'm sure David will be glad of the company of your Max. Hugs and I hope it's not too hard telling the girls 🙁 ! Hugs xxx

      Reply
      • Amanda, Cooker and a Looker says

        October 21, 2013 at 5:21 pm

        Thanks Em. x

        Reply
    6. Anne @ Domesblissity says

      October 21, 2013 at 2:30 pm

      So sorry to hear Amanda. I've got 2 elderly dogs and the thought of them dying brings me to tears. They are much loved members of our family. I am really feeling for you. xx

      Reply
      • Amanda, Cooker and a Looker says

        October 21, 2013 at 5:22 pm

        Thanks Ann. I hope you have some good support around when the time comes. x

        Reply
    7. Sharon Clews says

      October 21, 2013 at 3:18 pm

      I have tears in my eyes writing this, before we had Maggie the flying dog, we had Lucy. She was such a beautiful girl but unbeknownst to us she was born with a chronic kidney disease which we found out about when we had her desexed. The vet said we would have her for about 2 years and pretty much to the day we did. I ended up having her put to sleep as I did not want her to suffer anymore and it was one of the most difficult things I have ever done. And of course Kevin was overseas. So I am very sorry for your loss and do know how you feel, but it is nice to know that he and David will be together again. Thinking of you all xxx

      Reply
      • Amanda, Cooker and a Looker says

        October 21, 2013 at 5:24 pm

        Thanks Sharon. I was lucky to have Bearhands by my side today.
        Love to Maggie (& Kevin!) x

        Reply
    8. Shari says

      October 21, 2013 at 3:37 pm

      Oh, hugs to you Amanda - it is such a hard time 🙁
      xxx

      Reply
      • Amanda, Cooker and a Looker says

        October 21, 2013 at 5:22 pm

        Thanks Shari. x

        Reply
    9. Jay @ Moodie Foodie (@moodiefoodiejay) says

      October 21, 2013 at 4:31 pm

      What a beautiful photo Amanda. Feeling so sad for you right now xo

      Reply
      • Amanda, Cooker and a Looker says

        October 21, 2013 at 5:21 pm

        Thanks Jay. x

        Reply
    10. Robyna says

      October 21, 2013 at 6:54 pm

      Gorgeous photo of you two enjoying each other's company. We had a dear friend and then a family member lose their beloved dogs after Xavier died. We told the kids that they were playing with Xavier in heaven. I think it's such a comforting thought - for children and adults alike. I like to think of Jack, healthy and puppylike again, playing with David.

      Reply
      • Amanda, Cooker and a Looker says

        October 22, 2013 at 6:51 am

        That's a lovely image Robyna. Thank you. x

        Reply
    11. yinyangmother says

      October 23, 2013 at 7:28 am

      Sorry to hear Amanda - hopefully there is some comfort in lots of good memories and your sense that your much loved dog is together again with David.

      Reply
      • Amanda, Cooker and a Looker says

        October 23, 2013 at 7:39 am

        Thank you yinyangmother xx

        Reply
    12. homelifesimplified says

      October 23, 2013 at 10:16 am

      so sorry for your loss - when my childhood dog had to be put down I was hysterical (i was still in single digits) and my parents had him cremated so i could have him with me always (in a pretty tin box). Now as an adult I finally have a dog (since January) and I love her immensely. They are family - not pets - to me. Your photos of Jack are gorgeous - deb xx

      Reply
      • Amanda, Cooker and a Looker says

        October 23, 2013 at 12:10 pm

        Thanks Deb. I'm feeling a bit better about it all a few days on. We made the right decision, but we'll miss him.

        Reply
    13. Sonia Life Love Hiccups says

      October 24, 2013 at 10:31 pm

      Oh huni I am so sorry 🙁 I lost my beloved at Reggie when he was only 6 and I cried for weeks and weeks. xx

      Reply

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