An empty void.

George has gone. Out of the blue. Sudden.

Devastated.

I added this on the 12th... it covers the events of today.

What happened with our dog, George – pure bred Scottish Border Collie, about 12 years old. The Real Deal.

Rescue dog – had him for about 8 years since 2013. He had been badly treated by locals. But we loved him and he responded and became part of our pack. Wonderful gentle loving nature, and utterly loyal as collies are.

8 wonderful years.

He’s been slowing down for the last six months I guess, maybe longer – arthritis in his hind quarters, going deaf, going a bit blind, but still loving and gentle.

3 days ago he started to be unable to pass anything. Was clearly in discomfort. Trying to go outside to his usual spots but unsuccessful. 

Kept me up all night looking after him on Wednesday night.

Took him to the vet on Thursday. She checked him, found nothing in his back passage, but the prostate felt swollen.

Gave antibiotics and muscle relaxant hoping that swelling would go down and he’d be able to pee. Told us to phone Friday morning if it hadn’t worked.

He could – a bit. But not for long. Back to straining to pee and being uncomfortable. Another long unsettled night. He could find no release.

Vet phoned early Friday morning. On hearing his status, told us to bring him in immediately for X-Rays.

I think I knew then how it was going to pan out.

Took him in to the vet 0940 Friday morning. I said my goodbyes as he lay there in a cage, tears streaming down my face. I hugged him and told him that I loved him and that he'd been the best thing that had ever happened to me - a dream come true. He was almost out of it with the muscle relaxants we'd been giving him, but he looked up at me with those gentle intelligent eyes. Broke my heart. I fled.

The vet anaesthetised him and X-Rayed him. X-Ray showed large growth round prostate causing pressure and swelling. We had noticed swelling in his hind quarters.

Operation to remove would have been a poor choice for him – unfair, and risky, with months of post op care. Not the right thing to do.

Made the decision to have him put to sleep without waking him up.

Picked him up at 1100 and buried him at my in-laws farm at 1200.

That was that.

A gentler, more loyal, loving and kind creature you could not hope to find. 

He taught me so much about life and love and loyalty and devotion. I loved him dearly.

A big part of our family has gone.