Monday, 14 December 2009

Such a sad day............This post will remain at the top of my blog for a while

This is Alfie, our 14 month old beardie we took in to re-home. Unfortunately we had to let him go tonight (15 December 2008). A few weeks ago he started to limp and after a few trips to the vets we discovered he had a tumour in the bone in his leg, so in effect he had bone cancer. At the very best they gave him a year but that was only with immediate surgery and chemo. So today we took the decision to let him go whilst he was still smiling rather than wait until he gets to a distressed and painful state. It would have been so painful to watch a dog so young not doing what he should be, ie running around the field with Fraz. Hand on heart, I can honestly say that he has been happy with us, well looked after and well cared for, for the last 7 weeks of his short life and he absolutely loved Fraser to bits - he made a great friend there and it's been great to see them together even if it has been short lived. xxxx
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43 comments:

  1. Debbie15 December 2008 at 20:36

    Alfie was a very lucky pup - he had the best family and a happy place to be. He may have been with you for a short time, but he lived the best life a dog could have.

    I am so sorry for your loss. No words can make this right xxx

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  2. Melanie15 December 2008 at 21:13

    such sad news,so sorry sam.
    love & hugs
    xx

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  3. Ang C15 December 2008 at 21:32

    (((((HUGS)))))

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  4. crafty creations15 December 2008 at 22:57

    As Debbie says Sam - you gave Alfie a loving home, lots of fun and lots of love. You couldn't have done more other than make the very right and very hard decision to let him go.

    As you know my thaughts are with you at this very sad time

    Hugs Hilda

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  5. SueHart16 December 2008 at 09:28

    Sam, thinking of you at this sad time.
    Sending you lots of hugs. xx

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  6. Karen16 December 2008 at 10:07

    so sorry to hear about alfie, I have tears running down my face, looking at your photos he had a wonderful life, god bless him and may he run free in heaven, sending you huge hugs Sam x x x

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  7. Andrea16 December 2008 at 12:00

    Alfie was so happy with you Sam,and you could see how close him and Fraz were,we are all here for you
    ((((xx)))

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  8. Joy16 December 2008 at 13:04

    I'm upset to read this so god knows how you are feeling. It was very brave of you to do what you did for Alfie. I'm glad Alfies' last weeks were happy ones with you and Frazz xx

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  9. Shairon16 December 2008 at 20:59

    Although what happened to Alfie was devastating, he WAS lucky that he found you, Sam and Martin, who had the courage to do what was best for HIM. Many others couldn't have been so brave and he would have suffered so much more. I hope you can take some comfort from this thought in these sad days.

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  10. Anonymous17 December 2008 at 08:59

    You showed you loved him by letting him go - lots of people hang on, which is understandable because it's a hard decision - you did the brave and right thing by acting now before your memories were of a poorly pup and not the happy bouncy one you've known.

    xxxxxxxx

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  11. Zuzu's Blog17 December 2008 at 19:33

    :-) this is very sad .. I dont do the "hugs" thing but today I am sending a hug!

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  12. Anonymous17 December 2008 at 22:00

    I'm so sorry to hear your sad news but I'm sure you did the right thing. It's always a painful decision to have to make but it's clear that he was very much loved while he was with you.

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  13. Claireabelle18 December 2008 at 08:37

    very sad but, like you say, at least he was still smiling

    sending you all lots of hugs

    xxx

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  14. Morti18 December 2008 at 11:50

    Oh no Sam!!!!!

    Sending you lots and lots of hugs and prayers.....

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  15. Burnice19 December 2008 at 14:21

    Sam, this is such sad news. Sending you massive hugs. Burnice x

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  16. Anonymous19 December 2008 at 18:06

    So sorry to hear your sad news! xx

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  17. Femmy24 December 2008 at 18:36

    Hi Sam,
    so sorry to hear about Alfie, all the photos show he was really happy to be with you.
    Wish you all the best and hope you can still celebrate christmas, though it will be difficult.
    Thanks also for your nice comments this past year.
    Bless you.
    hugs femmy

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  18. Crafting Queen28 December 2008 at 16:42

    So sorry to hear about Alfie. You must be so sad. Hugs
    Anesha

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  19. Helena31 December 2008 at 18:45

    Oh I am so sorry to hear this!! I am sure Alfie had the time of his life with you!!! And I think you are so brave in doing the right thing, well done you! Sending you hugs and kisses!!!

    xxxx

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  20. RubyMay31 December 2008 at 22:33

    sending you hugs Sam. I hope your happy memories will ease the pain.
    Love Rubymay x

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  21. Ruth Philps3 January 2009 at 23:38

    You must be devastated :(

    7 weeks is so short and yet you must have some wonderful memories of the two of them and some gorgeous photos too. I think you are brave to have made that decision and prevented so much prolonged agony and pushy vets encouraging yet more unessary treatments.

    ((HUGS)) Ruth xx

    ps: I saved you a metal biscuit tin perfect for altering with alcohol inks if you want it?

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  22. Sid4 January 2009 at 12:49

    Ohhh how sad, but I think you have made the right decision (not easy at best). You have made his short
    life worthwhile nontheless and in return he has rewarded you with his love.

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  23. Hels Sheridan5 January 2009 at 12:47

    Sam, I am so sorry I have only just seen this incredibly sad post - I am so sorry to hear that you lost Alfie - but I admire you greatly for making such a difficult decision and letting him go while he was still smiling. You must be heartbroken hun and I am sending you a big fat hug....and my AlfieCat is sending a big purry cuddle too. Take care hun xxx

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  24. mommabear8 January 2009 at 20:46

    He was much loved and will be missed Hugs Alison & Angie

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  25. Fiona12 January 2009 at 22:00

    Oh how sad for you - a hard decision to make but the best for Alfie really.

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  26. Sue18 January 2009 at 19:44

    Oh Sam I am so sorry, sometimes the right thing is the hardest thing to do, but you know that Alfie had the best time with you xx

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  27. Carole20 January 2009 at 01:17

    I'm so sorry for your loss. I know that pain well, having lost an animal on Christmas Day.

    He's very sweet looking.

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  28. Anonymous20 January 2009 at 11:09

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  29. Carole20 January 2009 at 20:52

    Thank you for your comment on my blog. It means a lot.

    Btw, I love the 'on the run' picture. What a great shot. :-)

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  30. Plant Freak22 January 2009 at 11:19

    So sorry about your baby. He was beautiful. I hope that Fraz is not too sad.

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  31. Lynn Stevens9 February 2009 at 01:08

    This just breaks my heart ,my best friend has a bearded collie, she is the sweetest thing. Although Alfies time here was short . I,m sure he Loved every minute he shared with you! Hugs to you
    Lynn

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  32. Willy14 February 2009 at 14:45

    What a lovely dog! I'm very sorry for you.

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  33. The Dolphin Inn10 March 2009 at 18:31

    I lost the link to your blog and hadn't checked in for a while, I am so sorry to hear this news, I have just read 'a dog year' by Jon Katz and laughed and cried my way through it, he had a similar decision to make and the way he explained it was so touching, I thought of this as I read your post and know it must have been a terribly hard decision to make, at least you gave him such a happy and loving home whilst he was with you (((((hugs)))))

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  34. Cazzy2 April 2009 at 20:35

    Poor little chap, I know how you feel as we have dogs and have had to say goodbye to three of them, two within a week of each other.

    Cazzy x

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  35. Jana18 April 2009 at 14:39

    So sorry to hear about your little guy. Such a shame. My heart goes out to you. So glad that he was loved so much during his short, short life.

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  36. peggy gatto11 July 2009 at 15:29

    I really loved seeing "the boys".
    You have some really lovely pictures here and I enjoyed my visit!!!!

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  37. icandy...11 August 2009 at 04:21

    Thinking of you...

    Hugs,
    Christina :)

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  38. Marva Plummer-Bruno18 August 2009 at 14:27

    Oh how sad! I'm so sorry! It is so hard to lose a pet, they are just like our children! Marva

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  39. Cazzy18 August 2009 at 20:31

    That is so sad, have been there and it is difficult to lose a pet. He had such a good home with you, and as you said he went while he was happy and didn't suffer.

    Cazzy x

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  40. Sugar Lump Studios19 August 2009 at 12:20

    I am so sorry about the loss of your pet, but know that you made the best choice. I had to put my lab down a few years back, and while she did have a full life it was the hardest choice ever. Cherish the wonderful memories this sweet dog left you with and HUGS to you during this difficult time!

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  41. Jann5 September 2009 at 19:26

    So sorry to hear about this--I know how painful it can be to lose a pet--maybe Alfie will meet my Fred (golden retriever) up there in heaven.

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  42. Kim Dellow20 October 2009 at 19:15

    Oh I am so sorry to hear this sad news. All the best. Kim

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  43. Zoechaos14 December 2009 at 19:42

    Hugs for the anniversary know how difficult and sad these can be. Hope that Fraz keeps you occupied with a smile on your face.

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Thanks for leaving a comment, much appreciated, but most of all, I just love to know what you think xxxx