[VENT] I’m so worried about the rest of my dog’s lifeDog Talks

CW: suggestion of animal abuse, suicide

My Hank, my best friend and closest pal, is turning 9 next month. He’s a chow/Akita/Rottweiler mix and is the best dog I’ve ever had.

He was also me and my dad’s dog. I brought Hank home after offering to dogsit him for a friend who was moving. I realised the (now ex) friend was a very bad owner to Hank so I just kind of.....kept him. My dad said absolutely no more dogs (as dads do) but he fell in love with Hank and they became best buddies until earlier this year. My dad died by suicide after living alone with just Hank for years (I moved out shortly after we got Hank and lived all over, usually very far from dad).

I fully believe Hank kept my dad going for as long as he could. I also know that Hank has helped me grieve the loss of my father. After all, we did both lose our dad. Since March, Hank has joined me and moved all over the world traveling on trains, transatlantic planes, and cross-American automobiles. He is my best friend, my sidekick, my other half. It’s impossible to tell where my life ends and Hank’s life begins because we are so close. We do every thing together and in this work from home life, we are never apart.

My partner has mentioned a few times life after Hank and it’s just gotten stuck in my head that Hank isn’t a puppy any more. I do as much as I can for him - hypoallergenic diet, glucosamine supplements, daily exercise, regular senior panels at the vet. I just know one day he will be gone and I just don’t know how I will handle it. My best friend, the last remaining part of my tiny family. It makes me want to spend every single second of every day making Hank’s life the best possible life ever. I just love him so much and am so comforted and happy by his little fuzzy self.

Submitted October 29, 2020 at 11:29AM by mirantelope https://ift.tt/3e563iz