It is with a heavy heart and tears in my eyes that I write this post. Our best friend and companion, Butch passed away last night. My grumpy teddy is gone from our lives.
Here is how it panned out. I warn you now that I leave out no detail.
Kim rang me in a panic at about 1630 at work and told me to get home because Butch had lost the function of his hind quarter He simply collapsed due to old age. Essentially he was paralysed from the waist down, and could not walk any more. Kim rushed him to the vet with the assistance of our lovely neighbour Renata. Ben came along as well because Kim believed that it was important that he was a part of what was going on. They had to leave Holly at home by herself.
I rushed straight to the vets from the train station and was ushered into what I can only describe as a funeral parlour for pets. Kim had Butch in her arms and both Ben and her were crying. I started as well. She let me know that our vet, Gloria (one of the nicest vets I know), said that there was no guarantee that he would regain the function of his legs if he underwent an operation and that it was probably best if he was put to sleep, which is vet speak for euthanasia. Butch was 15 and half years old which was 108.5 in dog years, so the chances of him recovering were minimal indeed. So to spare him any further pain, we had a big decision to make. At this stage Renata took Ben home, as we thought it would be too much for him to bare.
So, after much deliberation we made the decision to have him put to sleep. Taking full responsibility for our decision, we spent about 15 minutes talking to Butch hoping he would forgive us, we signed the release form and the vet came in and gave him a sedative to calm him down. We gave him a final kiss and he gave us a lick each as if to tell us that it was alright. After a further 10 minutes of tears, Gloria came in with the big green needle, and Butch passed away in my lap at 1830. I balled my ears out and so did Kim, and we left soon afterwards. When we got home, Holly started looking for him, and we had to comfort her as well.
He will be returned to us in about a week cremated, and we will scatter his ashes around a fruit tree in the front yard that we will plant in his honour. He always loved to mooch around the front yard when he was around. A fitting resting place for a wonderful pet and friend.
I haven’t stopped crying during this entire post, and the emotions are still raw. So as a tribute to my grumpy little teddy, here is an expose of pictures throughout his lifetime. Please indulge me.
To finish off the post here is a wonderful poem that a friend sent us.
Goodbye my friend. You are missed. Until we meet again.
Oh Gavin I am so sorry for your loss. Losing a friend is heartbreaking and having to make the tough decision to put them to sleep is even harder.
My heart is broken with you and your family!
Just remember all the great times you had together!
my thoughts are with you
Rebecca
http://www.mygreenaustralia.com
Gavin,
It’s always sad to say goodbye to a furry friend, especially one as much loved as Butch, but the knowledge he had the best life that you could give him, and was very much loved, brings comfort. I’m sure he will be waiting for you at Rainbow Bridge.
Even though, I always bawl when I read that poem, it is quite comforting to read especially when you have just said goodby to a loved pet.
Pip
I am so sorry you had to say goodbye to your little buddy. We’ve had to make that decision ourselves several years ago, and even though you know you are doing the right thing, it still hurts a lot. Hang in there and remember all the happy times you shared!
SORRY ABOUT YOUR LITTLE FRIEND I REMEMBER HIM WHEN WE WERE DOWN THERE QUITE THE LITTLE BUSIBODY HAD HIS NOSE INTO EVERYTHING YOU WILL MISS HIM FOR A LONG TIME I’M GLAD YOU HAVE HIS BUDDY TO HELP YOU TO GRIEVE LOVE MUM
So sorry about the loss of your friend Gavin, it looks like he had a lovely life with your family and was very happy. Best wishes.
I have tears for you and your sweet little friend. I am so sorry you have lost him. I am so sorry for your loss. I am sure you will meet again another day and you’ll receive another lick of love…
Take care of yourself, your family and his little Holly…
xVanessa
We, too, lost a long time pet this summer. The best dog we have ever had in our 32 years of marriage.I had posted about her a few times, thinking she was closer to 21 years, and still going, but recently a neighbor, who found her for us, figured it as close as possible, according to the events of her life at that time, and we have concluded now,that our dog,Dixie, was closer to 17 years,as was your Butch.That is a really long life for a dog, but I feel if they are loved like ours was, it is highly possible. We feel for you,since we have just went through the same grieving process with our Dixie.
I’m so sorry for your loss Gavin. Our Zoe dog is getting on and I make sure I treasure every day with her. I feel for you.
I am so very,very sorry for your loss. I know too well the sadness of the loss of a pet ~ really a member of the family.
Blessings))
Dear Gavin, Kim, Ben and Holly,
It has taken me a full hour to be able to come back to your post – after my first reading I shed many tears for that lovely wee huggable Butch (and Mickle is a cat lover). A few individual dogs have made an impression with me, and your Butch was an important one who did so.
I keep glancing over at my more than “mature” rescue cat, Zebby, and admit I am so thankful for his love and affection, 4 1/2 years into our mutual adoption of each other.
Over the rainbow bridge there might now be a new group started up, busily attempting home brewing with an enthusiastic Butch encouraging them all to make one good enough for his humans.
So my imagination has run away …..
My genuine care and love for all living in your home hasn’t, sending special care and many huggles, Michelle in Wellington and my Zebbycat (apologies – he is off drinking water from the shower base …. coz he’s a cat)
Oh Gavin, I’m really sad to hear that Butch has passed on, I know you’ll all miss him so much. I’m glad that you know Rainbow Bridge, do take comfort from it.
Hi Gavin,
I’m so sorry to hear about Butch. It’s terrible when you have to decide to let a furkid go. I think you guys and Butch were so lucky to have found each other.
I’m so sorry to hear about your puppy. That is a very difficult decision you had to make. Please accept my condolences.
Sorry for your loss.
Gavin, I’m so sorry for your loss. It’s always hard to lose a loved one, and even harder when the decision to let them go is placed in your hands. It sounds like he had a wonderful life full of love, though.
My tears are flowing with you and your family. I know this is not an easy time. My thoughts are with you. I smile through the tears as I think of animals “kids” that have been in my life. I always have their memories and they bring me smiles. It is hard to smile through your tears right now, but the smiles will come more freely soon. Not soon enough, but they will come. Emily
Oh no… I am so so sorry, Gav. I am thinking of you and your family at this terribly awful time..
I was very sorry to read about you and your families loss. We lost a dear cat that we had been given to us by a friend who was Ill. We only had Champ for a short while and he became very sick with diabetes. Despite all our efforts he passed away, it was such a sad time as we had lost our friend and her cat. After about 2 months we decided to donate the rest of the money that was given for Champs care to the RSPCA. When we arrived we thought we would go into the cat pen and give the cats a pat. All of a sudden a tiny grey moggie jumped into my arms and gave the loudest purr. I knew then that the best thing I could do was to give this little moggie a loving home. So we bought my dear departed friend a new cat in memory of her old cat, Champ. Champ was cremated and his ashes were scattered with my dear friends ashes. The new cat has helped heal our loss but we will never forget my dear friend Julie Ann and her cat Champ. I hope one day you will have a new pet to wag a tail and give you a big lick.
Kind regards Marilyn
Best wishes from me… Losing a Furry-One especially in this way, and especially when they trust you with their all, is very hard…
Best wishes from our Family,
MKBJZBQ & the Nutty Jemma Dog
(& Prince in the clouds with Butch)
Thank you for sharing with us via your lovely post and photos. My deepest condolences to you and your family and Holly.
I’m so sorry to hear about Butch, he sounds like he was a great dog.
Dear Gavin and Family.
everyone who has ever lost a much loved pet, is sheding a tear for you.
my thoughts are with at this sad time
sarah, U.K.
Gavin I am so sorry to hear this sad news. It will be hard for you all for a while, especially Holley but it is better to have loved and lost, than never have loved at all.
I just want to run home and give my little Rossi the biggest cuddle ever!
I’ve cried more over the loss of my pets than over the loss of human loved ones. It is so sad to have a pet leave, maybe because they loved unconditionally. My thoughts are with you in this difficult time of grieving.
Oh Gavin and family my heart goes out to you big hugs from us all here
Rhonda
Oh Gavin, I’m so sorry. Big hugs to you and all your family.
I’m so sorry for the loss of your furry friend Gavin, I had tears in my eyes as I read your post. Ours is our 3rd child 🙂 and their love is unconditional which makes it all the harder.
My condolences to you and your family on the loss of a dear member of your family.
Candace
Colorado
Oh Gavin, I’m sorry.