The king is dead - long live the king!

[Tobys dad]

That most dreaded and awful time of bidding farewell to your soul mate happened last Tuesday, but it has taken this long to even start to come to terms with it.... our beloved standard schnauzer Mister Majestic (Toby to all that knew him) has crossed the Rainbow Bridge....
Sunday 6th PM - all is fine. Toby is getting older we know. He has a Sunday treat of chicken. In general his water intake has been growing, he's just a little overweight (2 kgs) but he can't walk long distances like he used to. Even jumping into the car boot defeated him, but he loved to come out for a ride and I take him for short walks.

But it goes downhill from midnight and within 36 hours we are at the vets. He won't eat, and even worse he won't drink.
Toby had that look on his face that screams - I've had enough! I want release! Please.....
The vet carried out blood tests whilst we waited - but it's not good.... Liver and Kidney functions are all over the place. The prognosis is that it will only deteriorate - and quickly and painfully.
We had previously discussed what we would do in such a case - and we adamantly did NOT want him to suffer. A tearful answer was given to the vet.
The vet prepared Toby and we held him delicately in the way he loved most. The vet administered the drug but Toby passed over before she had finished - and all the while he looking into my eyes. A last thank you from the boy I loved!

We are left with a gaping hole in our lives and our hearts. Toby was our world. From our many caravan holidays including all over Spain and France each year to every other walk and day out to visit friends(even those that didn't 'do dogs' would welcome him in) - he was always there. His Union Flag Bandanna was his signature look. We miss his tap-tap on the back of our legs to say Hello. The way he knew his treat came with our coffee at 11 o'clock. Lots of little things that made him so special.
And now? We don't know if we can endure the pain again.
We will never forget our 'little man'.
Thank you Toby with all our hearts. The King is dead - Long live the king!

[schnauzer]

Hi Tony, I’m sorry to read that you have lost your handsome boy, yes life with a schnauzer leaves us with so so many memories but We are also left feeling devastated as they leave a enormous gap as I found. It’s awful at this time as know exactly how much you will be hurting at the moment.
Know it’s early days but I found having another was the best for me, never a replacement but helps. Thinking about you at this very sad time, take care. X

[mikegoodson1]

I'm really sorry to hear this Alan, Toby sounded like a beautiful boy and in his pictures, he certainly looked majestic, especially in that cracking bandana.

These words, although not mine, seem apt: "our loved ones never leave our side. Even if death does us apart, their souls still remain safe in our hearts".

Thinking of you at this sad time.

[zeta1454]

So sad to hear of Toby's passing. He looks a lovely dog and it sounds as though he lived a full and active life with you until the end. You must have so many wonderful memories to treasure.

[redalert]

So sorry to hear you very sad news, they do leave a huge hole in your heart when they are gone, as mentioned before, another does help heal the pain, it gives you something to focus on, but you will never forget your boy.

[Dawnspell]

We still think about Barney everyday, at the start its the pain of loss,but it does start changing to the happy memories you'll always have.

[Oscar 12345]

What a gorgeous boy, so sorry for your loss. It is truly heartbreaking when you lose them.

[BeeBee]

So sorry to read about your boy's passing. It really is the most terrible time in the lives we share with our dogs. I've now lost 3 and each time it is awful, never gets easier whether they are elderly, or not, or how long we have shared our lives with them. We just learn to put the emotions into a manageable place in our mind so we can continue to function, but they are still there, and in my case pop up when I least expect it. But I still wouldn't change a thing, the happiness outweighs the shocking pain of grief.