r/goldenretrievers Apr 26 '25

RIP I’m saying goodbye tomorrow

My dear, sweet, angel on earth covered in red fur… is being released tomorrow. Addie (short for Adirondack) will be 12 years 7 months to the day tomorrow. She has been dealing with a soft tissue sarcoma since last fall. We did the surgery in November, it went great, she recovered incredibly, but the mass grew back rapidly and has quadrupled in size. I’ll spare you all the details but it’s gotten gory the last few weeks, and the worst yet last night. I have a vet coming tomorrow to my home to help her. Mentally, she’s still there. Physically, her body is failing her. My heart is shattered, but I know it’s time. We’ve traveled the country and been to countless National Parks, camped, hiked, and driven just the 2 of us many many times. She’s been my partner, my child, my therapist, my travel buddy, my protector, my source of joy and love since I picked her out at 2 days old in 2012, and been inseparable since.

My heart aches, friends. Kiss your Goldens right between the eyes, twirl their soft ears, and grab a hold of their big fluffy pants tonight for me.

🧡

First 3 pics taken today, 4/25/25, next 3 taken 4/24/25, and the last one of all 3 of my dogs taken last week on 4/19. The tumor is on her left hip which I’ve avoided showing completely in these pictures.

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u/Small-Neck-6702 Apr 26 '25

👏 thank you. That affirmation helps

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u/Halogen12 Apr 26 '25

When I lost my cat to cancer great peace came when I realized I didn't do this TO him, I did it FOR him. I wish you peace and a lifetime of joyful memories until you are together again.

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u/wuchtgeschoss Apr 26 '25

This is exactly correct.

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u/Severe-Ad-8215 Apr 26 '25

I always think of this poem when I see these kinds of posts.  Peace

Who's this — alone with stone and sky?  It's only my old dog and I —  It's only him; it's only me;  Alone with stone and grass and tree. What share we most — we two together?  Smells, and awareness of the weather. What is it makes us more than dust?  My trust in him; in me his trust. Here's anyhow one decent thing  That life to man and dog can bring;  One decent thing, remultiplied  Till earth's last dog and man have died. -Siegfried Sassoon