r/rainbowbridge

My best friend Wendell, my life, my sweet boy passed yesterday. He was a racer in Tijuana for 4 years before we found each other. I couldn’t be home last night and just got back to my place and broke down and sobbed. I am totally devastated. I don’t know how to go on or what to do.

He was my entire life and purpose for 6.5 years. Everyday he was with me and I with him. The thousands of miles we walked together. The adventures. The times where he was sick. The times where he was not sick. The cuddle times. The things I went through but he was there. The naps. His joy. The joy he brought to others. His shoes. His energy. How sweet he was.

The world is much darker without his light in it. He will never be with me or I with him ever again. He is dead. Regardless of our memories and experiences together I will never see him again. My sweet boy and best friend are gone forever. I literally do not know what to do with myself.

My home is silent and heartless without him. I will miss him with excruciating sadness. Just needed to share. Thank you for reading.

Lost My Best Girl Athena

I am not sure if I can this here so please point me in the right direction and I’ll remove it.

A short story of my time with the best girl: Back in 2016, I was serving in the Air Force and went on my first deployment. Shortly after I got back whilst I was on R&R, my best friend called me saying he found a Breeder that breeds Malinois. Some background, I was a young dog handler and Mals are the main dogs we train with. I was super excited as I wanted a buddy to be with me and was going through a bout of depression after my deployment. I went to go see her when she was two weeks of age and instantly fell in love. She was the sweetest baby and I knew she was the one. She was my soul dog.

A few weeks later the Breeder called me saying he needed us to pick the pups up sooner due to lack of space on his ranch. I took her back with me at six weeks. I know that’s way too early but I’m glad I made the choices I did. She was with me from England to Japan then Louisiana and now Texas. She has always been there with me every step of the way and having to navigate life without her feels impossible. She was there before my wife. She was there in my lowest moments. I lay here asking myself “where did 10 years go?” This all feels like a fever dream. She was the best girl.

The last week or so she just wasn’t being herself. She would still want to play frisbee with me but I noticed her energy levels were declining. I found a vet to see her before the holiday and got terrible news. Her spleen and liver were enlarged and her gallbladder had hardened. After 12+ hours in the ER I decided to keep her home and do an at home euthanasia. I chose her favorite spot in the backyard where she would sunbathe and chill. I didn’t go with surgery because it would’ve been too much on her body. When she was 6/7 I had to get her a blood transfusion because her platelets were low then as well. A blood transfusion on top of an invasive surgery that wasn’t likely to solve the issue was too much on my girl. I wanted her to pass with dignity and peace. Not the way she was the past few days.

My mind was playing tricks on me. I took her on one last truck ride and for a brief moment, I got my old Athena back. I thought I was making the wrong choice for a moment but I know I didn’t. If roles were reversed, she’d want what’s best for me too. For her last meal, I grilled her a nice thick ribeye steak with some bacon and pumpkin purée. She used her last bit of energy to play frisbee with dad one last time. I am heartbroken beyond belief. I miss you babygirl!

Thank you for reading and apologies for the grammatical errors. Dehydrated and in tears typing this. Much love to you all!

ETA: Been three months since that fateful day and I’m still in a lot pain. I miss my girl so much. Hard navigating life without her.

Never in my life could I imagine a pain so deep. I miss my Q so badly. I adopted him when he was about 8 years old, and was lucky enough to spend about 10 years with him. He was my best friend and he made everything better. I miss his smell, I miss the sound of his sniffs in my ear, I miss his smile, the way he put his head on me. Seeing him curled up on my bed. Everything feels so empty. I feel sick. He was always right there loving me through everything. Nothing feels right, he was such a huge presence and huge part of my life. His little stomps when he was begging me for food.. now eating doesn’t even feel right. I’m so heart broken.

I knew it was his time though, and Friday 10/2/2026 he crossed the rainbow bridge. It was only a few days before that he was taken to the vet because we noticed his belly looked a bit swollen. We were told it was his heart failing, and it was too late. Humane euthanasia was the best option. I was in denial. I wanted a second opinion, to try meds, anything! Over the couple days passing I saw it. He declined so fast. Could hardly walk or even hold his head up by Friday. He wasn’t him anymore I saw it in his eyes.

I feel so bad for him and I feel so awful. What if I took him sooner and got him help. I work a lot and hadn’t been home as much in the last month. He had bad separation anxiety. All I keep thinking to myself is what if I was home more? Was he sick and scared? Was in pain that entire time? Did his anxiety make his heart bad? He never showed any symptoms ever! He always seemed so happy and energetic right until the end…

I don’t know what to do with myself.

Edit: We chose at home euthanasia. I was so scared for him, but it’s truly the only thing bringing me some peace. He took his last breath in my arms, and went so gently. The woman was truly an angel and made sure Q was so relaxed and pain free.

One year ago today was my last day with Duke. It's so hard to believe he's been gone that long even though the days without him creep slowly. I miss him so darn much!

Dukie likely had a stroke that last morning, but even so, he fought to make it a regular day. He was off balance and stumbling and still wanted to go outside to walk, still wanted to pick up his toys, still wanted to kiss my tears away.

I kept praying it was a bout of vertigo...old man's syndrome. But by late that night all he could do was lift his head and I knew... When I asked Duke if it was time, his eyes told me he was ready.

There was no way for me to carry him to my car and I called the fire department at the corner. Five or six firefighters all lifting Duke in his great big bed and carrying him out the door and down the sidewalk is a picture I'll never forget. They placed the bed gently in the back seat and waited with him while I got my things and settled Emma. I still cry easily when I think about that honor walk for Duke...he deserved everything and more.

We arrived at the same hospital Emma goes every month for her injection...Duke only knew it as an ER. But he was brave...even kissing me as they wheeled him in the door...and again as I lay on the floor next to him in his bed. He was ready and no matter how much I wasn't, I had to do it for him.

It's been a hard year and I've cried more than any year I can remember. Big cries and sleepless nights. Emma doesn't believe in kisses...Dukie never missed a tear.

Dukie, I miss you so much!!! You were such a good boy!! I still sleep with your favorite toy and will love you forever. Thank you for being my Goober, my Buddy, my boy. Please come and visit me when you can.

I love you Duke... always with all my heart! ❤️💔🐾

After battling cancer, I finally had to let my baby go yesterday and still struggling with guilt of my decision. I had to not allow her to suffer any longer but the pain is real. And the home is so empty, she was part of ever single daily thing I did ALWAYS at my side even if just to pee or have a drink of water. Her absence is such a huge hole in my heart and life💔