Tribute to my Beagle Charlie

[Beagleboy2011]

We had bought Charlie one week after we got married. That was 15 1/2 years ago. He was 6 weeks old, and the cutest beagle you ever saw with one little white spot on his back. His personality has always been that of a true friend. Always there for us, and never angry at us. His love was unconditional.

He was with us for both our childrens births, and he loved our children as much as any dog could.

3 years ago he was diagnosed with Cushings disease. He was always thristy, we thought it was because of the grapefruit size fatty tumor he had on his shoulder...we used to laugh that he was a camel. But the day came when we needed to remove the tumor, and he was almost back to his energetic self again. The effects of cushings kept on coming. He became blind and def, but his sense of smell helped him find all the goodies left over from the kids lunch bags (even when in a closed knapsack). He always found a way to eat the food he wanted to eat. hahaha... He was such a good dog.

Then about 8 months ago, he started to limp in his hind legs. We thought maybe just old age, which it very well could have been. He had his good days and he had his bad days. Then the bronchitis came on, and the daily medication. But he still seemed happy to be around us, he would wag his tail when I would come home and pet him, he would follow me wherever I went and he seemed content. He wasn't in pain, but the coughing would get worse then better then worse...

Yesterday, his hind legs collapsed and when his bum hit the ground, the black and red diarrhea literally poured out of his bum... we knew at that moment that it was his time. We kept him comfortable through the night, and the next day (yesterday), we brought him to be put down. We fed him the little sausages he always loved, and he wolfed them down like he was a puppy again! As we sat with him, trying to build up the courage to give that final knock on the door to call in the vet, he started to sit up....I started to doubt what we were about to do, I thought, "maybe he knows and he doesn't want to go", maybe he wants to try to walk around...!?... but then...he vomitted all the food he ate and fell back down....He was telling us it was time... He knew that the longer we waited, the harder it would be for us...He was such a great dog even at the very end.

I miss him so very very much. I don't know how I will get through this... I know i have to, and I know I will...but it just hurts soo much. ....

Goodbye my baby Charlie. I love you and will always have you in my heart and soul. You are my best friend.

[remsleep]

I'm so sorry for your loss. It's never easy.
I bet he had a fantastic life with you.

Do you have any pictures? We would all love to see him.

[Beagleboy2011]

Thank you. I like to think he was very happy with us. I have been traveling a lot lately, and I really believe he was waiting for me to come home before finally giving in to his conditions. He wanted me with him. I know it. I know I'm not the only one to have lost their best friend like this. I consider myself lucky that we knew it was coming, and could somewhat prepare for it, but it really doesn't make it any easier. I will never forget his last few breaths, nor how at peace he finally seemed. No more coughing, no more hard breathing. I know it was the right thing to do... Oh but I do miss him so...

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

I am so truly, deeply sorry for your loss. Charlie looks and sounds like the perfect friend. I'm sure your children are also devastated so you must be strong for them.

You know you did the right thing. Charlie gave you all he had and it was time for him to rest. He is no longer in pain and is running free at the Rainbow Bridge until you meet again.

Perhaps someday there will a new puppy in your lives to help heal the hurt. In the meantime, you have my deepest sympathies. Losing a family member is never easy, and not everyone understands that is what our dogs become, part of the family.

Thank you for sharing Charlie with us. He is at peace now. May you and your family find comfort in the coming days and months ahead.

[Phyrie]

You have my deepest sympathies. I'm very sorry you must suffer this pain. Can you find any relief in knowing Charlie no longer suffers? I hope you can. He was an obviously very well-loved dog, and you were all lucky to have each other.

I'm sorry for you, and your family's, loss.

[Beagleboy2011]

Thank you so very much for your kind words. It's midnight where I am, and I cannot sleep. I walk by his bed, and he is not there, I walk to the kitchen and I see his bowl still filled with water. I cannot bring myself to remove these items that I have grown so accustomed to seeing. I tried, but it seemed like it made the rooms so empty. I will leave them in place, and maybe my baby Charlie will come to visit and rest for awhile. I hope I dream of him tonight. He didn't come last night, and it made me sad. I hope he comes tonight, if only for a moment.

Thank you all again for your words of support.

[4 the Dogs]

I'm very sorry about Charlie. I know how much he was loved and how much love he gave in return by your sweet tribute to him. All though it's the hardest thing a pet owner can do, it is also the greatest gift you have given him to end his pain and suffering. Think of him running at the rainbow bridge, eating those snausages!

[AnnaCS]

I'm so very sorry for your loss. Charlie sounds like such a wonderful guy who knows how very much he was loved.

[China's Mom]

So deeply sorry for your loss....I'm so glad he had you for his human family. It's never easy--no matter how many animals you have...grief is a process - do not try to rush through it...take your time...*Gentle Hugs*