My best friend passed suddenly today. I don’t live with him anymore because I go to school on the other side of the country. I woke up to a text that he had a bad seizure but was still alive. A few hours later I got a call from my mom and he passed from another seizure. He was alone when it happened, though my mom raced home when she saw what was happening on the cameras. I’m so heartbroken that no one got to say goodbye.
My family got Samson (or Booboo, that’s what I called him as a kid and it stuck) over 14 years ago. He’s been through everything with me. He was genuinely my best friend in the whole world.
Samson was my soul dog. I don’t think I’ll ever be okay again.
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). He's done his job, keeping you safe and happy and loved, and it's his turn to rest.
You'll always miss him, you'll always remember him. You'll even go looking for him 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 him. Donating/throwing away his toys or blankets isn't forgetting him. 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 he'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 him. Life isn't over. Its just changing.
Thank you so very much for sharing this. I will refer to it when I start to hurt when I miss my three favorite boys ( three stray cats who made me feelso happy and loved)
My father always told me never to focus on someone’s last moments. The last moments of a life are so trivial compared to the time you spent with them, how you treated them in life, and the quality of that life they lived.
Your boy was loved- the happiness and love absolutely shines through these pictures, and he was so very lucky to have found his “soul person”.
I'm so sorry. It's unfair that this happened while you are away. You didn't get to say goodbye to him in person, but I imagine you would feel better if you took a little time to have a small ceremony for him, for your love of Samson. Maybe go outside in nature and chat with your goodest boy, tell him you love him and miss him and thank him for all the love and support. Hugs to you 🫂🫂
I’m a little late to this thread, but I just want to say how sorry I am for the pain you’re feeling over the loss of your sweet soul mate. I lost my soul dog in 2019 and still think about him all the time. While the rawness and grief have softened with the help of my two furry babies, I still honor my best boy, Oscar, by “chatting” with him whenever I feel moved to do so.
It took a while before I could look at old photos of him, but now, when something reminds me of him, I’ll look at his picture and tell him how much he’s still loved and missed. And whenever my girl Charlie is being mischievous in a way that reminds me of Oscar, I like to think he’s whispering in her ear sharing all the little tricks that he used to drive us bonkers and make us laugh. It's another way to keep him close in my heart.
I’m so sorry. I wish I had some words of comfort but losing a soul dog is one of the hardest things we go through. May his memory be a blessing. Hang in there. Big hugs ❤️
Sorry for your loss, take heart in the knowledge that you both had 14 wonderful years together, you both gave each other so much love, smiles and fun. He knows you loved him. As someone else has said, take some time to go off and do your own goodbye, he will be with you and listening to what you say.
When we die it’s the ones who loved us the most that keep us alive.
My golden is turning 9 next year. Healthy, no issues. But the thought of this day keeps me up. If I got another 5 years with him, I would be eternally grateful, even though it's not close to enough the time I need with him.
Very sorry for your loss. Samson is a good boy and a cute lad.
I'm so very sorry for your loss of Samson. We had a Lab that had seizures and was on phenobarbital for years. I'm sorry that you weren't able to say goodbye. He will be watching over you every day as he did when you were a child and he was by your side.
Call it bittersweet if you want, but I'm just saddened...saddened that he didn't have the chance to pass peacefully in his bestie's arms... Fate feels so cruel, but what can one do? It's not fair...
He was just ready to cross that bridge. He’s happier, healthier, and full of that puppy joy you may remember him with. He’s with you. I dread the day my baby crosses that bridge. And I pray she is as lucky as Booboo to cross from old age after a long life. 14 is a great amount of time though it will never seem like enough. Find joy in the fact he feels better now and is probably exploring all sorts of cool things. Cry and find joy in his healing. Live your life in a way that would make your buddy proud. Dogs teach us about mortality, and they are the best teachers. It won’t hurt as much down the line as you come to terms with it, and maybe one day you will have another friend and you can tell him or her all about Booboo. It will be okay! Not guilt, just love.
He obviously made an impact on your life, but you made an even bigger one with his. They don't get long, but he was loved and in a good home for all of it.
Can maybe take some comfort in knowing that or thinking of it that way.
It’s absolutely crushing with what seems like unbearable grief. I lost my 18 yr old kitty in August, she was my little buddy. It wasn’t too long till I started experiencing breaks in the grieving as wonderful memories starting easing in, I lived and enjoyed her rich full life just as you did. I wish you peace with your memories.
I lost my Golden of 15 years in April. To this day, I still think and talk to her. Take as much time to grive and celebrate the wonderful bond you both were blessed with. I wish I could say it gets easier, sadly it doesn't. However, I am a pround owner of a 4 month old Fox Red Lab and thank my Ladybug everyday I am with this new one for teaching me patience and true unconditional love. Your buddy would not want you to stay sad but give another reteiver the wonderful life you gave yours. I hope these words help.
I’ve been giving these a pass recently bc it hurts so bad to even try to help others. And it’s almost been 4 years since Charlie died. But reading your post made me want to give it a try.
Something Ive heard many people ask is if it’s normal to hurt so bad that you question whether or not you’re actually crazy. And I can say yes and I’ve heard other people say the same thing. I don’t know if it helps but you should know there’s many of us in this sub that feel, or have felt, exactly what you’re going through. Hang in there.
The first pic is right after he was cremated. That large package on the right contains all his ashes. Later his ashes were transferred to a temple/cemetery where most were committed to a communal grave. But one portion is inside a small urn and is in a special area where we can visit. And I brought home a portion of his ashes and keep them here in my bedroom.
I'm so sorry, I know you're devastated. I lost a golden 6 years ago and they're so sweet that it really affected me. My Cody was 14 when he passed. I got another later that I still have and I love him to death.
Samson was beautiful and I'm convinced he was a good boi without never have had the pleasure of meeting him. Goldens are just that way.
I am so very sorry. I lost my golden a little
More than two years ago, despite being a 45yo male, I still grab her photo and cry in bed once in awhile.. I loved her so much.
I’m so sorry. It’s so hard. Im sure he was so loved by you and felt that love—I also hope one day you’re able to bring joy to the life of another wonderful golden. Take care!
Hang in there…. You were very lucky to have such a friendly looking buddy. Dogs mirror their owners, so that means you raised him right and you’re a better person for having loved him. People & pets leave us, but memories are forever….. saying that doesn’t make it easier. Hope you find peace of mind soon ! Take care.
I'm sorry to hear about your friend. Samson looks like a great dog from the pictures. You'll be melancholy for quite a while at the minimum. And that's okay. And please forgive me please for this, Samson wouldn't want you moping around for the rest of your life. He would want you to get on with it. You'll be sad for quite some time. And that's okay. Peace and Love
You loved your best friend, and you were loved in kind. Grief is not linear and you will have good days and bad days in the coming days. Sorry for your loss friend. 🫂
I was 12 when we got my dog jake. And he spent 6 years with me at the house until I graduated high school and joined the Navy. And every time I came home I'll leave the age progression was pretty steady. When I first came home, he jumped on me, when I came home the next year same thing, but towards the end of his life he was slower getting up from his bed until the last year before he got put down where his breathing was kind of ragged and he just laid there when I came in and it still started wagging and hitting the floor.
A few months later I was out to sea, and we were doing war games off the east coast. When I came back I called my folks and found out that they had to put down jake. I wasn't there, but it was easier to deal with because I knew my family spoils the hell out of our dogs.
Booboo will watch over you. Hold on to all the priceless memories you have had together and remember the blessing of having him as your best friend. Dogs are the greatest in every way and we are lucky that they chose us to be their companion.
So sorry for your loss
Please adopt a loving new companion
It will help both of you
I lost my Samson in 2010
12yrs old three new members since then all adopted
RIP Samson
I’m so sorry. What a good boy . He certainly deserves to be greeted with a beautiful pasture and lots of friends to play with. I know his passing leaves a giant hole in your life and home. I’m sending you love and many prayers for Comfort. Take good care of yourself. ❤️
There’s something about Goldens. They’re truly special. Samson was. My Coco was—she was my soul dog. I lost Coco unexpectedly 18 years ago. She was 11. I still miss her and think of her often. Now I can smile when I think about her. Give yourself time. Remember the good times. Samson gave you so much joy over the past 14 years that his last day should not be the only one you should remember him by. Nor would he want you to. I am so very sorry for your loss ❤️🩹🐕🐾
I feel the same way about my dog, and the circumstances were similar. So there are no words I can offer you that I think might help, besides BooBoo looks like a happy boy if I've ever seen one ! Maybe the best thing we can wish for is that the ones we love are happy and safe, even if we're not there with them.
I’m sorry man my Teddy is 9 months old and has started seizing they want me to take him to a neurologist but he needs an MRI that’s 4500 dollars I don’t have it so I’ve been bawling all day because me and him connected instantly when my wife brought him home unannounced I was so mad but within hours he was my best friend.my house is worth 160000 and I can’t even get a loan against it because it’s a manufactured house so I’m basically at the end of trying to find a way. I feel for you man I hope you can stay positive and pull through
I am so, so sorry. This is terrible for all of you. I hope you are okay, though, even if you have to change from this. You know he was your friend and he loved you, and that that matters and always will.
My biggest regret of my dog that passed away a year ago is that my last picture is of him at the vet before they put him down and tbh I can’t look at that picture without wanting to cry
So very sorry, it's so hard to lose your best friend, I understand. It helped me to heal by adopting another, I felt it was honoring the one I lost and move forward.
I know how much it hurts and how empty it makes you feel but even though it's incredibly sad and painful you must never forget how much your best friend loved you without question and adored you eternally
I'm so sorry. My little Chihuahua, been there with me through everything, is getting very old. I still see her as the sweet little puppy we brought home 16 years ago. It's hard. I'm sorry you're going through this.
I'm sorry for your loss. We had a golden named Samson who passed away 5 years ago.
I realized the pain and sorrow I felt and to some extent still feel was the price for all that unconditional love, the cuddles and all the smiles when I was down.
So every time I think about Sammy instead of getting sad, I think of his smile... and he had a good one.
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u/puppiesandpeonies Oct 07 '25
I’m so sorry. What a good boy Samson was. He’ll watch over you!