How do you say good-bye?

How do you say goodbye to a dear friend?

Right now, Spot, is sleeping next to me on the floor next to my desk. Ever since we rescued this stray dog at my brother-in-law's wedding years ago, she has by her choice been inseparable from me. Although she was supposed to be the entire family's dog, Spot adopted me. Whether it was hiking in the Northwoods, fishing on NorthStar Lake or just hanging out around the house, Spot has always been next to me.

My dear friend now has extreme trouble walking, can not hear, and often cries at night due to the pain of old age. This past week we vacationed together for one last time up north at the cabin. Every night she looked at me and refused to lie down in her dog bed until I also lay down to sleep. During my Northern Lights photoshoot this past Friday night, I actually pretended to fall asleep and then snuck back outside the bedroom. Please understand that Spot has slept next to me in her dog bed every night since she joined our family. 

This brings me back to my question, how do you say good bye to an old dear friend? Hundreds of times per day she looks up into my eyes with her big black eyes and seems to be asking me ... what are we going to do next?

Tomorrow morning I will take Spot to the vet and have her life ended. She trusts me.  I hope Spot will understand; it also hurts me. She will always be in my heart. Hopefully in heaven she will catch all the squirrels!

The photo below was taken years ago during happier times.

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Spot during one of our fishing trips on NorthStar Lake

Comments

[Drew Preston]

Tats a nice but heartbreaking story Rich.I have been there really sad position but memories last a long time.
Drew.
Fairbanks Ave.Wolfville
Nova Scotia

[Kate Herzog]

You don't say goodbye - you say "Sleep well, my friend and know I love you dearly." You will feel the loss but should also know that freeing Spot from her pains was a gift of love - a small return on the affection and companionship she enjoyed sharing with you. Over the years, I've been brought to the same point with two dogs and three cats and can empathize. You have given Spot the best you can. Peace.

[Karen Kennedy]

who let the dogs out? who? who? who? who?
*love*