There are many strange phenomena in the world, but one of them is the fact that so many veterinary emergencies seem to happen on Mother’s Day, Christmas Eve, Easter Sunday, or Saturday night at midnight. And such was the case with Luke’s last day. By sharing our family’s story of saying goodbye to a dog, I hope to connect with others who have been touched by the lasting love of a dog. And perhaps Luke’s legacy will live on in the hearts of many.
Saying goodbye to a dog: It comes too soon
Luke was only seven years old. Our family had adopted him six years prior from our local animal shelter. He was literally in a cage on death’s row. His name was Belair, which we never could reconcile with his sweet, humble disposition. So we rescued him, renamed him Luke, and lived happily ever after.
The problem was this: “after” only lasted six short years. Saying goodbye to a dog is heart-wrenching no matter what his or her age or the circumstance, and there is no way to prepare your heart.
Two weeks ago my daughter Abigail said, “Luke was coughing last night.” He was predominantly her dog, slept in her room, and spent his days curled up at her feet while she did homework. This was an out-of-the-blue announcement that I didn’t think much about, but I listened to his chest with my stethoscope, just to be sure. I didn’t hear anything of concern and shrugged it off.
The next day she said, “Luke coughed a lot overnight.” And in my heart, somehow I knew it was something bad. Which it doesn’t always have to be, by any means. The rule-outs for a coughing dog range from infectious disease (like kennel cough or even dog flu) to heart disease (like congestive heart failure or heartworm disease) with lots in between. But somehow I just knew it was serious.
A diagnosis of cancer
I took Luke in for chest X-rays at the veterinary practice where I work. We saw several things that were concerning, but nothing particularly conclusive. Luke had a touch of pneumonia, pleural effusion (which is fluid in the chest surrounding the lungs), and we were suspicious of a tumor in his mediastinum. The mediastinum is the tissue that separates the right side of the chest from the left side of the chest and contains all the vital structures except for the lungs.
Our next clue to Luke’s problem would come from aspirating the aforementioned fluid in his chest to identify cells indicative of a diagnosis.
While I have practiced veterinary medicine for over 20 years, this was not something I had done before. I called the colleague in possession of the most expensive ultrasound unit in our town (because I wanted ultrasound-guided aspirates of the mass) and she graciously said, “There’s a radiologist who’s moved to town recently. He’s a board-certified specialist out of California, and he can come and actually do the procedure if you like with our equipment.”
“Absolutely!” I replied. I’m a huge fan of getting specialists involved in tricky cases to optimize care!
She brought in the specialist, who performed the ultrasound on Luke, sedated him for the aspirates, and confirmed that Luke had lymphoma in his chest.
I was devastated to hear the word “cancer,” but I felt a pinch of peace knowing that we now had answers. From here on out, we didn’t have to guess on Luke’s problem: he had a 6 x 9 cm tumor in his chest that he had miraculously masked up to this point because he was so fit and healthy.
Now lymphoma, of all cancers in dogs, is the one that’s typically most responsive to chemotherapy, so we had a decision to make. But of the types of lymphoma, the one in the mediastinum is probably the worst. We would expect chemotherapy to extend his life three to six months. I went home and talked to my daughter. She said, “I really don’t want to put Luke through that. I feel like I would be doing it for my sake and not for Luke’s sake.”
This is a very personal decision, so I offer no editorial here on the right or wrong choice. What I can say is that dogs generally do very well with the veterinary chemotherapy of today, and the stereotypical issues we worry about in people generally don’t occur in dogs (ie. nausea, hair loss, etc.) If your dog has been diagnosed with cancer and you are working through your options, I strongly recommend listening to my podcast, The Myths and Misconceptions of Cancer in Dogs with Dr. Sue Ettinger, Cancer Vet.
Palliative care for Luke
Our choice was palliative care, which basically meant doggy hospice. I gave Luke two different high-powered antibiotics for his pneumonia, and we cleared up his coughing within a few days. I’m not sure who felt better about this—Luke or his people. It’s hard to watch our pets struggle!
We also started him on prednisone, and I have a podcast on prednisone explaining how my hate-hate relationship with that drug has recently morphed into a love-hate relationship. In this case, it really helped Luke feel much more himself.
He had stopped eating for a day or two, which breaks the heart of any pet owner. Luke was part Labrador, so needless to say, turning his nose up at food was highly unusual for him. On the prednisone, he went back to eating voraciously. Of course, Luke had other side effects like drinking and urinating excessively, but he just seemed overall happier and the powerful anti-inflammatory effect from the medication helped him breathe easier.
The difficult choice of euthanasia
Unfortunately, it just didn’t last very long. I was hoping that we would get many, many weeks to months of Luke being truly happy, but we ended up only getting two weeks. His breathing became more and more labored.
We made the decision on Christmas Eve to euthanize Luke the day after Christmas. A colleague came to my house and did it for us in our living room. As you might imagine, there were many reasons why I didn’t want to do it myself.
Our children said their last goodbyes to our dog
Luke was the faithful sidekick for my eight children. Watching them say goodbye to him one by one, I really tried to hold it together. But one of them whispered in his ear…
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
If I should die before I wake,
I pray the Lord my soul to take.”
And that was the end of me holding it together.
Abigail had asked that her younger siblings not be home for the euthanasia. She envisioned a reverent quiet, impossible with six young boys. Since Luke was her heart dog, I let her script the day.
Making preparations for the final day
So we were there, just my daughter and I, after sending the boys out with my husband. Next, I got the bed set up for Luke in our living room. Because dogs lose control of their bladder and bowels after euthanasia, I had layered a comfortable “nest” for him, which started with a waterproof mattress pad and finished with his favorite plush comforter.
Then all of a sudden I walked by the front door and saw the veterinarian, Dr. Marikay, and her assistant in our driveway. She had arrived a few minutes early, and suddenly the whole reality hit me.
It was time.
Dr. Marikay was so kind and gentle. She had lost two of her own dogs in recent months and empathy flowed through my living room. My brain was in clinical vet mode. I knew the drill. I’ve euthanized hundreds of animals.
I wrapped my arms around Luke in the proper “veterinary hold” so that Dr. Marikay could give him an injection of a sedative. I held him tight and distracted him with my voice and vigorous rubbing, because this initial step can sting. I’m sure it did sting, but Luke was very brave and didn’t flinch. Within seconds, he was going to sleep—a deep sleep like you might have had for a colonoscopy.
My own wish to say goodbye to our dog
The dominoes were falling fast and my heart wept as it struggled against my doctor brain. As Dr. Marikay placed an IV catheter, I was overcome with a sense of guilt because I never just sat and looked into Luke’s eyes and told him how much I loved him. I mean, of course I said it during the whole entire euthanasia procedure and on every preceding day, but I was so busy making sure all the kids got to say goodbye and working out practical details, that I’d failed to say a proper, private goodbye myself.
Now I wept about this, in addition to the obvious point of sorrow.
I encouraged my daughter to pet and talk to Luke to the very, very end because we now know from humans that hearing is the last sense to be lost at death. I wanted Luke to know that we were with him for as long as possible.
Our last words to our dog
What do you really say though? We just told him over and over what a good boy he was and how much he meant to us while Dr. Marikay pushed the plunger in the syringe containing euthanasia solution. Typically after this, I put my stethoscope on the dog’s chest and by the time I do this, the heartbeat is already gone. Dr. Marikay, however, had her stethoscope on Luke’s chest, listening for what seemed like an eternity. His heart wouldn’t stop. The scene was peaceful and still, except for one little heart that beat on for his people. Eventually, she nodded and said,
“He’s gone.”
It’s different for every person, I know. There have been times I’ve whispered those words and broken-hearted humans let out a guttural wail of grief. For us, there were more tears in making the decision and in sending him off than in the moments after he passed.
He was resting in peace, and we were comforted by this.
After Luke’s death, he kind of “lay in state” in our living room for several hours while the grave was being dug. It was a surprisingly special time of sitting with him and laughing and crying with my daughter about his life’s adventures.
Our other dogs share in our grief
We opened the door for our two other dogs to come in and join us, and I wasn’t sure what to expect. Of course, I’ve heard that it’s the right thing to do, but I’d never had multiple dogs before. How do dogs process death?
I didn’t know how they would handle it, and one dog, Zeke, wouldn’t even really come in the room. It’s almost like he knew what had happened, even though he’d been in another part of the house while the veterinarian was with us. To be clear, he’s NEVER not wanted to come into the living room (and get comfy on his favorite leather couch), but he just stood in the hallway for a while. When he finally did come in, he wouldn’t look at Luke’s body.
Zeke just went around him and got on the couch and looked away.
Then came Jake, the red hound, whom I have a blog post about titled: 7 Tips for Bringing a Stray Puppy Into Your Home. He’s a handful and he’s young. He came in and he sniffed Luke, sunk into a play bow, then took his front paws and pawed at Luke’s hind end, trying to get his attention. Clearly, in the mood to play, he then went over and bothered Zeke on the couch. Zeke paid him no attention, so Jake went back to Luke and pawed at him again. The whole time Jake was wagging his tail, obliviously happy. Finally, he jumped up on the sofa, laid his head down between his paws and just stared at Luke.
It was very surreal to watch him seem to “get it”, because then he just starting whimpering and whining, and he did that for many minutes.
I don’t know if that’s because there was this sensation in the room of deep grief, and he finally clued in on that, or if he truly understood that Luke, our canine patriarch, had died. I asked my colleagues for their opinions on a veterinary chat board and said, “What are your feelings on the best way to let dogs say goodbye?” And one of them, who’s a large animal vet, said that when there’s a death of a foal or a calf, so a baby cow or a baby horse, that they leave it in the pasture for a few hours for the mother to sniff and process. Eventually, the mother will just walk away and go on, like she understands.
Almost all of them agreed that it was the right thing to do and that animals sense when another animal’s spirit has departed.
Incidentally, Zeke, who wasn’t originally engaged in acknowledging Luke’s body, chose to come and be a part of the funeral service and was sniffing Luke even as we buried him. I felt like there was some closure there too for Zeke.
A funeral and final goodbyes
After the vet left, my red-eyed daughter said resolutely, “I’m happy now. For days I’ve been walking into my room and I would see my dog just not breathing right, and it made me so sad. I was sad that he was sad, and he was sad because he knew I was sad. And we could only both be sad. I didn’t want to keep him alive for my sake. That’s just not right.”
Her brothers came back and dug Luke’s grave. Abigail requested that Luke be buried on our property where she could see his grave out of her bedroom window, so we did that, and we had a little funeral with some friends. Abigail didn’t attend, but the rest of us stood around the grave. Everyone helped shovel dirt back over the hole and there was a sense of communal sorrow.
I’ve never seen those boys be so tender or quiet.
Saying goodbye to a dog and embracing fond memories
I am blessed to have spent the years that I did with Luke, and I dedicate this blog post to him. I know that most of you understand exactly what I’m expressing and what I’m feeling right now. My daughter vows that she will never have another dog because she cannot ever love something with this intensity and have such a huge part of her heart extinguished.
And yet I pray that as her grief fades with time, she will choose to love another dog someday. The grief is the price we pay for having a part of our heart and soul awakened by the love of a dog.
A pictorial tribute to Luke shared by his companion and best friend, Abigail
I was very sad to lose Luke, but he was suffering, and I know he is in a better place.” – Abigail
Today, our loving, friendly Australian Shepherd, was euthanized. He had many things medically wrong, including bleeding internally. We made the decision so Rodeo would not suffer, but it is so hard to say good-bye to a friend we have loved and who loved us 8 years (he was a rescue dog at two years, wandering around the roads of northern Arkansas).
Anyway, thanks for your story about Luke and your family and the difficulty we dog-lovers have with grief. There is some part of goodness and heaven for anyone who can love animals of any sort so much. I feel like your daughter now not wanting another dog or the pain, but she and I will. Love is a force that nothing can stop.
Dear Neal,
I am sorry for your loss of Rodeo. I agree love has no bounds and we can’t help but share it with others. Thank you for sharing your story with us. May the memories of the good times with Rodeo stay with you forever and be a blessing in your life. ♥
I’m so sorry for what you had to go through. i also went through with my dog bubbles she was 14 years old in dog years she was amazeing. she died in Girard, KS 2014. I hope you feel better.
Hi Magnus,
So sorry for the loss of Bubbles. Our beloved dogs leave lasting footprints on our hearts forever. Thank you for your kind words of encouragement for other dog parents. ❤️
Thank you so much for sharing! I just lost my boy Thursday night his decline happened quickly. He just had his annual visit a few months prior with a good check up but in my heart I knew something was wrong. He had been having a intermittent cough and difficulty going up and down stairs. A few weeks ago he presented with pale gums and straight away to the vet for sick dog visit. The visit looked as if it was hopeful for a recovery but again my heart knew that wouldn’t be the case. After this is was a fast decline and we didn’t get the opportunity for euthanasia but I held him in my arms petting his ears and telling him it would be OK and I would see him on the other side and love him forever! My heart is shattered. This post was a very big help to me processing the loss of my Tyson. Thank you and sorry for you and your family’s loss of Luke!
Dear Carey,
My heart goes out to you with your recent loss of Tyson. I am thankful you were with him in his final moments and am certain your presence was a comfort. Thank you for the kind words and condolences about Luke. May the memories of your sweet boy stay with you always and continue to be a blessing in your life. ♥
Hi I just saw this comment. I was searching to my 13yr Tyson. Has dementia, now he’s just a circle pieces up and down for a long time or come to my room or his dad said he doesn’t want to sleep on the bed anymore. He leaves on the floor. He cannot see sometimes to urinate in the house or does number two he was trained now he can’t see I don’t interact with his sister Zoe, she she’s three years old she came when she was three weeks. I was wondering when it’s time to put Tyson to be in please do I’d take Zoe with me.? or was she know that he passed away? I do not know if dogs since the brothers or sisters death.? Can someone tell me, if should take, zoey? To say good bye to her, brother Tyson.. but Tyson don’t understand anymore caymans or us saying his name. When I feed him it has to be with a spoon, now. You have to be very patient Juan is feeding time comes she still eat, oh, smells his french fries are you still give them to him?. but he cannot find them. when you wakes up from his nap in the morning, his The circles so we carry him to the back to pee. But now he’s just peeing every where, or walking in his poop just dropping. Who knows he has his water in my living room before and go drink water. Not more. he stands over his bowl or if he bumps into his bowl it clicks for him and he drinks his water my room I tried to make it comfortable for him. I had to make sure there’s no open spaces for him to get stuck and I have his water set with a stand. Occasionally, he bumped into it and drinks. His water you’re always has to have his ice water.. at night I can feed him by seven 730 and give her his melatonin sleeping meds for dogs. Is groomer says she cannot cut his hair or bath anymore. because it’s difficult. can I go in the car anymore? It’s been about six months he gets too anxious and nervous and panting. only time when you go to the groomer, I have to sit in the backseat with him and hold him down.. she needed a bath badly. I Just recovering from my surgery. 3 months ago. Had my right kidney removed with a tumor and cancer. I always bab my dogs at home. But yesterday, I couldn’t take anymore., didn’t know what to do because the last time he got bath. He got very anxious nervous I have a sink in the garage and that’s where I put him and his sister when they both need a bath I felt so bad last night kept saying I’m sorry I’m sorry Tyson he was just flip-flopping. Like a fish out of water they killed me to see him do this.. but he much needed a bath. when I was done, I hold him with his towel wrapped around him, for he gets to anxious and does not want you to hold him or pick him up and sit on your lap anymore. now I know that she cannot see nothing and he walks up and down seems confused. He pauses for five minutes , he’s get stuck in Conner. Runs in to things, so should I take zoey with us, when I go put him to rest? Idk if she’s will know, he’s gone. Idk. Can someone, maybe know more, Can you give me advice on Zoe? She’s three years old female she’s been with us at three weeks old Tyson is now 13 1/2 years old. What should I do?
Hi Patricia,
I’m so sorry for all the difficulties you are facing between Tyson’s decline and your own surgery. It is always so heartbreaking to face the loss of a beloved dog and to watch them struggle due to the trials of old age and cognitive decline. When I lost my own dog, I did let my other dogs come see his body after the euthanasia, and it seemed to help them understand what had happened. But I think that Zoe will also understand that Tyson is gone if you don’t bring her along. It is just a matter of what you think would be best for your grieving process and for Zoe. I’ll link an article below that talks about how dogs grieve in case it would be helpful. Thinking about you during this hard time.
Here is the link I mentioned: Do Dogs Grieve? Helping Your Dog Cope With Loss
Thank you so much for sharing your story about Luke, a beautiful dog. As I struggle with this decision for my own dog, Snickers, I found the answers and understanding that I needed while reading many of your articles. I appreciate your help so much.
Dear Judy,
I am glad Luke’s story was able to offer you some comfort as you face a difficult decision about your own pup. Praying for your strength and peace for Snickers.
thank you for your articles. it’s Wednesday Sept 20, 2023. Friday the 22nd at 2pm we will be saying our last goodbye to our beloved 12¾ yr old lab Belle. She was taking meds for nerve pain and it ended up giving her kidney failure. that’s enough to make a person feel guilty forever! we’re dreading Friday, but even then, we feel selfish for waiting a few days longer than the vet mentioned. honestly, we had to mentally get prepared. all our dogs and cat have died naturally and this euthanasia thing is really burdening us. Belle is with us all the time. loyal to the core. we don’t want to give up on her strength too soon, but not sure if that’s really what we’re seeing. just want to ensure we’re making the right decision and the right time.
Dear Linda,
I am sorry for your loss of Belle. I can only imagine how difficult it was to make the choice to say goodbye, but I am certain it was the most loving option for your girl. Hoping her passing was smooth and peaceful. Praying as time passes your heart will heal and you will find peace as well. May her memory be a blessing to you and your family. ♥
Thank you for your words,
I’ve had dogs my entire life ( I’m 60) loved and cared for each one like a child, I also have 3 grown children. May is a rescue dog, I knew she was the one when I walked by her kennel at the pound and she lifted her paw against the fence as to say “ please take me home” . I took her out in the pound playground, Instead of playing , May climbed in my lap, put her little head on my shoulder. A couple days later she was able to come home with me. As stated before I’ve always had a dog which I loved with all my heart. But May has been like no other, when my husband took his life she was in the yard, at that point I knew there was something different, almost human like. She transferred from a fun loving run around the yard, play on the tire swing with the kids, to my protector and almost guardian like. May is 16, she has been by my side every moment possible. She slept with me , rode in the care and her favorite, playing and fishing all day at the beach. She and I would walk for hours , I’d be crying from the loss of my husband ( that ocean is so salty from all. MY tears ) this week I took her to the beach for what I feel sure is the last time. We only walk about 10 min before she had to rest. Played in the water only a very short time. I then took her home. I’ve known May was sick for several months, however she is petrified of the vet, in fact even with a muzzle the Dr’s are never able to do anything. I e decided to let her go peacefully with family only around. Hopefully she will just fall asleep. I know her days are numbered and I don’t think I’m going to handle it well, as my tears already flow constantly. I know each of you feel the same towards your precious loved animal, but this dog to me , has been like nothing ever in my life as far as pets go. I can not convey the love I have for my May.🐶😢😢
Dear Missy,
My heart goes out to you as you face these last days with May. She sounds like a once in a lifetime dog. I know how real the grief is but hope all the good memories will comfort your heart. I have no doubt May knows how much she is loved. I pray her passing will be smooth and peaceful surrounded by the ones who love her most. Wishing you strength and courage for this difficult time. Bless you both. ♥
My husband and I just had to put our dog down very suddenly on Saturday morning. . I have been struggling a lot but what you shared has really helped me. Thank you for sharing your story. I could so relate to the feelings and thoughts you shared. I will say that we have decided to open up our hearts to another dog (not that it makes losing our Ollie any easier). I love what your daughter said about not wanting Luke to suffer- that is how we felt and knew what we had to do. Again thank you for sharing this. I have tears in my eyes but I also feel a sense of peace. One more thing, when you said you knew in your heart something was not right that is how I felt leading up to my husband and I found out our baby had cancer. Sending so much love to you and your family.
Dear Mara,
Thank you for the kind words about the article. I am so glad you found some comfort in Luke’s story. I am sorry you had to say goodbye to Ollie. It definitely sounds like you made the right decision and I have no doubt he knew how much he was loved. I hope the addition of another dog to your family will help heal your broken heart and add joy during this sad time. May Ollie’s memory continue to be a blessing to you and your husband.
i’m 15 and i’m putting down my 12yo dog on saturday and i’m trying to figure out how to deal with it and deciding if i should be there or not. thank you so much for telling your story it helps a lot.
Charlotte, I’m so very sorry for what you’re going through. I 100% believe you should be there if you can for the sake of your dog. However, some places are not even allowing it due to COVID. So that may be a decision out of your control. I hope that your remaining days together are precious and that you find peace in your decision. ♥️
I just had to say goodbye to my Jake December 9th 2018. I still cry and probably will for some time. August 2017 we had several fatty tumors removed but one was suspicious and it was cancer. Out Doc had done a great job taking a bit more than needed for the one she suspected. So we have known it had a high probability of returning. Dec 3rd he puked, bloodwork showed pancreatitis and low kidney function, plus an X-ray showed what we knew could occur. It was back. Huge amount of fluids to help with the pancreatitis, ended his ability to hold his urine on Dec 6th. Jake was going to be 8 in March, he was my baby. I had raised him from being a kicked litter pup, a 5 pound weimie to 72 pounds of music loving boy. I have other dogs but he was Alpha, our leader, peacemaker, and the best cuddles on Earth. We all have grieved his loss and continue to.
It was a huge decision for your daughter, but a good lesson learned about quality not quantity. With time, when she isn’t even looking another soul will speak to her. It will never be like Luke was. But Luke would never not want her to know the love of another dog. Plus she has so much more love to spread with other 4legged buddies.
I’m so sorry for your loss. I hope peace and laughter return to fill your home soon.
Dear Heather,
I’m so sorry to hear of your loss of Jake. Your love for him just pours through your words. I know that huge hole in your heart.
Thank you for your kind and wise words about Luke. I look forward to writing a new blog one day about Abigail adopting another dog. And I love how you put it: “when she isn’t even looking, another soul will speak to her.” Bless you!
Your daughter is a very wise and strong young lady. I lost my very first dog to lymphoma as well, she was only 6 years old. However, I was in my 30’s when that happened. It was tough for me, and I could not face getting another dog for some months. However, once I was ready, we have had at least one dog in our household ever since. I imagine your daughter will be ready for her own dog again in time,
In the meantime, I hope your other dogs can help comfort you all. I am very sorry for your loss.
Thank you so much for your kind words, Jan. For those of us who have loved a dog, I think it’s impossible not to fall in love again! I’m sure she will one day adopt another. In the meantime, she is spending lots of time cuddling with Jake (featured in the blog pictures), and he’s doing the heavy lifting in grief therapy in this household. Thank you again.
Ohhhh, you did everything right, but I am sitting here with tears running down my
face and my heart aching. I hope enough people will read this and understand the
best way to say goodbye is having the vet come to your home. Always, always using
a drug that puts them to sleep before the other drug is given. I am so very sad for your
family as I have an eleven year old Irish Setter that is my whole heart. Thank you
for writing this post, as hard as it is to read, it will help someone or many.
Thank you, Barbara. I think you’ll be pleased to know that there is a Part II of this blog coming out soon which speaks even more boldly on my conviction about home euthanasia. I wrote the blog in my own grieving process, but I published it because I hope it does help others too.
Thank you so much for your comments. Hold your sweet, old Irish Setter tight for me today. xoxo
Thank you for sharing this very personal and emotional loss. I cried for you and your family as I have experienced this loss. Luke was honored, loved and respected till the very end, and your family taught me a few things. He will always be loved, honored and respected and that is a beautiful blessing.
Dear Cyndi,
You know Luke better than most, having followed us so faithfully on Instagram all these years. Thank you for your sweet words and all your support. Luke will indeed always be loved, honored, and missed. One of the boys picked flowers for his grave this week and I was reminded of that truth. xoxo
Through my tears for your loss I send Abigail, yourself and the rest of your family much love and many hugs. Luke was a beautiful, beautiful dog and a loving and devoted companion and he will no doubt live on in your memories forever xoxo
Thank you for your note of sympathy, Deborah. It means so much to our family. You are right about the memories. We’ve started going through old pictures of Luke and there’s a mixture of smiles and tears now. I know you understand.
Oh Julie & Abigail,
Tears streaming as I read this beautiful tribute. My heart hurts so for you. I still grieve for my precious AJ, who you loved and helped me with so many times. I miss you all & will always treasure our time in Beaufort & having you for neighbors. God’s peace, love & comfort.
Thank you, Eleanor,
I know how very painful it was for you to lose your precious AJ, who had seen you through so much. You can acutely empathize with our broken hearts. It makes me happy, though, that you knew Luke and can picture he and Abigail together, proudly walking around the neighborhood. That makes me smile. xoxo
My deepest sympathy to you and your family. I too, understand how difficult it is to say goodbye to a dear pet. I wish you peace in the new year filled with loving memories of your Luke. ?
Anne M. ??
Thank you so much, Anne, for taking the time to leave a note of sympathy. Our family really appreciates your kind words. So many of us know this pain acutely and our hearts share a special bond in truly understanding the hole left behind. As you suggest, we are finding comfort in his memories. He was a really special dog, but I think they all are! xoxo