My boys are both old, now. Buck and Worf, my constant companions for the last 13 years. They grew up together, spent their lives together. I don't know how to say goodbye to my two best friends, but very soon I will have to. I think back to the wonderful, sunny days of their youth. Playing tug of war in the back yard, watching them grow from little puppies into magnificent dogs in the full flight of their prime. Marveling at their abilities as I train them to be retrievers, romping through the woods chasing squirrels and sniffing for grouse. And now, wishing I could somehow, some way, turn back the clock and let my old friends have one more day to fly free as they once did, young and strong, unencumbered by arthritic joints, failing bodies, and advancing age. To see Buck make one last big, confident leap into the water to make a retrieve, or to see Worf powering through anything in his way, spray flying on both sides. Now they walk slowly, stiffly, where once they would gallop and glide. Now I see tired, old eyes, where once burned desire and passion, fierce and proud. I look in those eyes and ache with the knowledge I can do nothing to restore their old vigor. My old friends are soon to receive a little brother, a fuzzy little yellow furball to be named Obi. But as wonderful as the little guy will be, I remain deeply saddened whenever I think of how short a time I have left with my old friends. With Obi I will relive the days of youth and vigor, starting a new chapter. Unfortunately he can never replace the bond with my old companions, a bond that has grown so strong through the years. But now twilight is upon them, and soon, night must fall. How do I say goodbye?

I was reading your post thinking that is how I felt 4 weeks ago. I had to have my lovely boy Joey Pts on the 13th september. I knew it was coming as he was 161/2 yrs old and had a lot of different health problems. He was born in my kitchen as I also owned he's mum and dad. Dad lived until he was 15 and mum lived till she was 14. I also had a sister who lived till she was 15. He had been on medication for 2 yrs for breathing problems, heart murmur and cushings. Then 6 months ago I was told he was in renal failure so it was only a matter of time. I always said as soon as he had no quality of life I would let him go. He plodded along for months and then went downhill in 2 days. It was one of the hardest things I have had to do but looking into he's eyes I knew he was ready to go. I spoke to him the whole time the vet was seeing to him, telling him how much I loved him and that he was my best friend and how he would be free from pain and go back to being the little rascal he once was. I know it will be hard for you but nobody can tell you how to say goodbye, you will know what to do when the time comes. Please give your boys a hug from me and I wish you strength when the time comes for you to say goodbye. Regards.---Aggy