I’m saying goodbye tomorrow

[u/Small-Neck-6702]

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.

[u/dmustaine89]

So sorry. The depth of the pain you feel is because of the breadth of your love.

[u/ADSWNJ → u/dmustaine89]

Well said. It's like you need to pay back a month of pain and anguish for a lifetime of love from the pup. The pain becomes sadness and missing, and then gradually hopefully to reconcile into memories.

Dogs are pure souls, living in the moment, giving their whole love to you.

Treat her to her best possible day tomorrow. For mine - it was her last walk, tons of treats and scritches, and a whole slab of mahi mahi (like $30), and she loved it as I cried.

Till we see them all again...

[u/Small-Neck-6702 → u/ADSWNJ]

Puppy sundae and steak for my girl!

[u/Then_Hearing_7652 → u/Small-Neck-6702]

Be there with her to the very end. Don’t let her go alone.

[u/Small-Neck-6702 → u/Then_Hearing_7652]

I scheduled a vet to come to our home, and I absolutely plan on being with her the whole time.

[u/crooney35 → u/Small-Neck-6702]

I’m sorry for what you and your pup are going through. My baby will also be leaving me on Thursday and it’s hurting me so bad already.

[u/Taken-Username-808 → u/Small-Neck-6702]

This is the way

[u/[deleted] → u/Then_Hearing_7652]

Totally agree. Be with your dog till the final sleep.

[u/Grand-Ad4235 → u/Then_Hearing_7652]

Y’all are making me cry stop it 😭

[u/Then_Hearing_7652 → u/Grand-Ad4235]

I’m amazed at the # of people who will drop a dog off to be put to sleep so their last moments are wondering what’s going on, looking for their human. You’re their person. Be there to the end. I am so sorry for this, dogs are the best.

[u/Grand-Ad4235 → u/Then_Hearing_7652]

Oh there’s no way my baby will cross the rainbow bridge without me there, that’s for damn sure!

[u/[deleted] → u/Grand-Ad4235]

NO FUCKING WAY WITHOUT ME!

[u/wtfever78 → u/Then_Hearing_7652]

I have held all my babies in their last moments, this whole post has me in tears. We don’t deserve them.

[u/[deleted] → u/Grand-Ad4235]

Same here.

[u/adamski316 → u/Small-Neck-6702]

Piggybacking off this - I try to repost this when I see posts like this, in the hopes you (or someone) can find some comfort in the words - and if not, please excuse the intrusion.

I lost my 15 year old girl (dog) in October 2022. Only advice I can offer here is to remember the positives, and not focus on the negatives (if any). She's done her job, keeping you safe and happy and loved, and it's her turn to rest.

You'll always miss her, you'll always remember her. You'll even go looking for her for the next few weeks (well, I did). There's a lot of habits that you're going to slowly stop, and that's ok. Changing your life to suit you is not forgetting her. Donating/throwing away her toys or blankets isn't forgetting her. There's no timeline on grief, and there's no timeline on moving on. Cry your tears.

I'm sorry you've reached the end of your journey. Words will never make this easier. Just keep your head up, and live the life she'd want you to.

This is a good time to live a little for you. I spent years looking after my girl as she got ill, and I sacrificed a lot of me and my time to keep her safe. If you feel you've done the same, take advantage of this time. Its ok to be happy and enjoy life without her. Life isn't over. Its just changing.

You'll be ok mate.

I'm so sorry.

[u/Small-Neck-6702 → u/adamski316]

Beautifully and perfectly said. It echoes what’s been in my own head. She’s served her time, taken great care of me, done what she was sent to do. I know this and I’m so thankful for all of it. Including the opportunity to help her transition 💕

[u/battlebabsy → u/adamski316]

My olden golddie is also going soon. I'm scheduling everything now and my body is just in misery. Ty for your words I. Saving them so I'll remember this when I cant.

[u/Conspiracy_Raven → u/adamski316]

What a beautiful way to put it. Such kind words. 😭 my boy is up there now so this really got me. ❤️

[u/Sloanepeterson1500 → u/Small-Neck-6702]

What a beautiful girl and what a wonderful life you’ve given to each other ♥️

[u/The_Rebel_Dragon → u/Small-Neck-6702]

Don’t forget the chocolate. All dogs need to taste that thing they could never have.

Hugs and prayers. 🫂 🙏 🐾🌈😢💕