Thank you bizzylizzy and min for your kind words.
It was a privilege to share his life. He did have a very happy life filled with love, despite the challenges. I would carry him up stairs to avoid back injury, and get him out the car from his blankets on the back seat. I still go on auto pilot to the back rear car door to get him out every time we go out. I have stopped using my car since it happened, we go out in my daughters car lol.
Still got the nose marks on the window where he sat barking at cats. He used to stand at the top or bottom of any staircase, and peer over his shoulder at me, come on dad do your duty! Our vet said he sees us as his servants lolol.
MIN - sorry to hear about your loss too, yes, its everything else, basically, the hole they leave behind!
BIZZYLIZZY- yes, your right, it was a privilege to look after and understand his needs, never once a chore because has was loved. Sounds like your Boy is a lucky boy too, with a great mum. Give him a hug from us!
My profile pic is him. Fully furred lol. We made his own food as the allergy appeared to be anything to do with grass or grass fed. Every two weeks we would make a batch, mackerel, pollack and salmon with fresh steamed vegetables and vitamins added, 5pm he sat and stared at me, then woofed if I wasn't getting the message lol, often tried his luck at 4pm . How do spaniels know the time so well... Mackerel was his absolute favourite, my daughter and I went out to catch it fresh for him whenever we could.
We spoiled him, loved him.
Never considered any other breed, love spaniels and the way they love you back, oh, and the mischief with those sorrowful expressions you can't be mad at.
He was fine, happy, eating, nagging for his food, then not fine! He couldn't stand, was struggling to breathe, and not quite with us, we took him to the vets, and made that decision for him, no tests, no suffering. They suspected a stroke.
I firmly believe that the most selfless gift of love you can give your dog is letting them go peacefully at the end, which we did, but he is so missed.
Im a 56 year old man, with a wife and daughter, what a plonker to be in this state eh!
He went everywhere with us, canal holidays, walking with his pet stroller, we wouldn't go abroad without him. Our business meant we were able to be with him, everywhere we go, near and far from our home, every corner, he was there, Cumbria, Cornwall, Devon...... which I think makes it harder as everywhere we go now he was also there with us, the hole and pain and sadness is constant, following.
Hope one day this will turn to smiles and fond memories.
The last dog we will have comment , we have had 5 cockers, each one different and loved, but Chester, this last one, I knew would be tough, we had THAT bond. Definitely cannot face this again, cowardly, weak, maybe......
At the end my wife stayed with him in the room to hold him, I couldn't do it, I kissed him and said see you again , but couldn't actually be there. I know I should have been, to hold him while he went on his journey, but it was too much. After all I did for him it felt a little like letting him down at the end, but I didnt want that last memory of him to be the goodbye. So officially, women are stronger than men lol!
Anyway, thanks guys, hug your furry family from us, they really are precious.
