Very sad day in the Stinkypup/Snoopdawg household yesterday when we had to say goodbye to our beautiful old boy Stinky. He had reached an amazing age, 12 3/4 which is good in Golden retriever terms and amazing given his really bad hips- he was an amazingly strong dog but was clearly suffering and we had to relieve that suffering.

He had a great life, was immensely loved by us all and tears are still being shed profusely and we will deeply miss him. He won't actually mind me telling you his real name now- it was Jake- the plan was to get another boy who was to be called Elwood but as he had to have major hip surgery at 9 months we felt it wasn't fair to get another one under the circumstances. That last photo was taken with him spending an hour before going to the vet in the sun- I think it shows him off well

Thankfully we are heading off to the UK today- at least for now it will get us away from little reminders like soft toys/stuffies that he adored since he was a pup. Sorry about the sentimental post, he was an old dog but it still hurts like hell

Sorry to hear this stinky, sooty says you should rescue a dog in the name of Stinky and actually call him Stinky :@)

I so know how painful this is. Its a very hard time, saying goodbye to a loved family member.
I am glad you have the trip to distract you a little and of course time will help heal but right now I would like to say that I am very sorry for your loss.

I'm sorry to hear of your loss.

But you let him go when he was suffering too much.

Safe trip, and enjoy it as much as you can, come back refreshed.

Been there done that lots of times, total sympathy and empathy for you.

Sorry to hear that.

There's an old thread on here somewhere which I started in such circumstances.

I know exactly how you're feeling. Condolences.

RIP Stinky.

Yes, I know that feeling. Sorry to hear this.

My condolences - it's never an easy decision, but it's heart-wrenching to see them suffer, so I'm sure that you made the right, although difficult, choice.

I'd like to think that, far into the future, when it comes to leave this world and move on, that Jake will be waiting for you on that bridge, his ears perked, his tail wagging, as he looks forwards to facing the next adventure with you, side-by-side.

My condolences as well, I used to show Irish Setters and at one time had 8 of them, I stopped showing and let them live out their lives with me, it was heartbreakingly sad when the final one died, it was sad about the rest as well, but the last one going was the end of an era for me.

Very sorry to hear of your loss.

RIP Jake.

I'll add mine to the many other condolences. I remember Novo's and a couple of other previous similar threads, I'm sure the number of "been there, done that" comments let you know you're not alone, but don't ease the pain any.. RIP Jake/Stinky.

I like the idea that the next one should actually be called Stinky.

Sorry for your loss.

I remember putting down a golden retriever because of stomach cancer 15 years ago.

Phenomenal family members.