When it is time to say goodbye to your friend, you will know. You will know because it is the right thing to do. And often, that means that it is the hardest thing to do.
When they have given you everything, and they want to keep giving everything but cant, that may be the right time. But, you will know.
When it is time, you should be there for them. You should be there to hold their head, give them a place to rest their paw and a face to look at. To show them that you know they gave you everything when you asked for nothing.
Do not stand. Sit with them Hold their head, or their paw and tell them you love them. Use their name or their nickname. Take your time. Thank them for the life they have given you, the lessons they showed you. You don’t rush.
They will know that you love them, and will talk about them and cry for them and speak their names forever. They know that you will call your next dog by their name by mistake, and they are good with that because it man’s they are remembered. And other people will do the same thing which is ok as well. Because they will also remember them.
When it is time to leave, say what it is that you want to say and if you forget words, or you cant speak, thats ok. You can say them any time you think of them. You dont have to rush. You have time.
Grieve how you will. There is no right or wrong. Celebrate their life. Go to their favourite places. Make the photos on your phone into coffee table books or wall art. Speak their names when you walk in the door after a hard day. Sit with other dogs. Spend time with friends who have dogs because they will know your grief too.
But when it is time you will know. You will know, because it is the hardest decision to make. But you will make it, because it is the right thing to do for your best friend.
