Lucy

A few years ago when told that one of my colleagues wasn't coming into work that day because their dog had just died, I ashamedly rolled my eyes and thought 'get a grip'. Having just lost our family dog recently, I can now see how the loss of a pet can have such an impact. A friend said he felt more upset when his dog died than when his mother died. But as harsh as that sounded, it is understandable when you consider how a family pet plays such a large part in the day to day life of the family.

I didn't realise quite how entwined my life had become with her until now she is no longer about. For fourteen years (after a visit to the bathroom) the first few tasks of the morning would involve the dog...walk, breakfast, tummy tickle, etc. Last thing at night... take her outside for one last pee, give her her snack for having a pee (she was a Labrador), tuck her into bed and wish her sweet dreams. 

In the time our children have grown up, become teenagers, done GCSEs, A-Levels, gone to University and left home the dog has been there. We have lived in four different houses, and ping ponged back and forth to France ...the dog has always been with us. Through thick and thin the dog has been a constant, unconditional companion. Then when they aren't there anymore it isn't surprising a hole is left in your life. 

I thought I would be okay, Anna (my wife) would be a wreck, but I would be okay. But I find myself getting emotional when I find a dog poo bag in my pocket, or see a space on the rug where she used to sleep. 

One of the hardest things we thought would be knowing when the tipping point arrived and it would be time to make that call to the vet. In the end, it was very clear to us and we knew the moment had come. What was difficult was when the appointment had been made knowing that our time left together was limited. It was a beautifully sunny day and we carried her outside and all sat in the sun, making a fuss of her and sharing our thoughts. My daughter was over from the UK visiting so it was a family affair. 

On returning from the vet the house seemed very empty and we felt fortunate to have each other for support as we remembered moments from the past like when, as a puppy, she chewed through all the electric cabling in the boot of our car on the way to a family holiday to Wales; we wondered why everyone was beeping at us, not aware that our indicators hadn't been working for 150 miles, or the time she dragged my father into the canal.

After our son was born my wife said “Never again!”, two years later our daughter came along. We've promised each other we won't get another dog...