📅 2025-12-21
In February 2013, a rambunctious yellow labrador retriever puppy arrived into our house.
On December 20th, 2025, just three days shy of his 13th birthday, our goodest boy left us.
Just a day earlier, he had grown weak and had lost his appetite. As the condition did not improve, I took him to the vet and they found a sizable tumor. He was laid to rest just hours later as we comforted him and said our final farewells.
This situation comes inevitably for any pet owner. It all happened very suddenly, though, taking us almost by surprise, so it has been quite the gut punch. I am glad there was no prolonged suffering, even if it hits us harder this way.
13 years is a high and respectable age for a dog to reach. However, it is a long time to form habits and patterns that will now break; getting a dog is life-changing, and losing one will be likewise. In the short term, with the Christmas holidays looming, this will undoubtedly cast a shadow over the festivities. At least we can come to terms with this change without needing to worry about work and other daily tasks.
I still haven't found the courage to collect his things — toys, bed, what's left of his food — and put them away.
Too much finality to contend with.
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