Today we said goodbye to our sweet Colby. 💔
He was truly the best dog anyone could ever ask for. The kind of dog you could take to a restaurant and people wouldn’t even know he was there. The only time he’d bark was when the doorbell rang and even that always caught us off guard because it happened so rarely.
He had epilepsy and needed 24/7 care, but you’d never know how sick he was just by looking at him. If my parents were working, my Nana and Pap would step in and watch him. He was always happy, always full of life, even at 13 years old.
The doctor said it was incredible how long Colby lived. He was on 21 pills a day, every option available to manage his seizures. But he lived like a dog who had no idea he was sick and maybe that’s because he was never treated like he was. My parents did everything for him, because he wasn’t just a pet. He was family.
If you saw my parents, you saw Colby. Always by their side. Always part of everything.
He helped us through so many hard seasons, through grief, through loss, through heartbreak. He had this way of showing up exactly when we needed him.
And now, we know he’s in Heaven, running around with Jeremy and Pap and all the others we’ve lost along the way. 🕊️
We’re heartbroken to see you go, but that just means your love left a lasting mark on all of us. Colby truly lived a life full of love.
Thank you, Colby, for every year, every moment, and every memory.
You’ll always be the best boy. 🐾🤍
Saying goodbye to a beloved pet like our sweet Colby is an experience that leaves an indelible mark on your heart. It truly is the hardest part of pet parenthood, a unique kind of grief that many don't fully understand unless they've lived it. Our furry companions offer unconditional love, boundless joy, and a comforting presence that becomes as essential as any family member. When they leave us, the silence can be deafening. For us, Colby was more than just a dog; he was truly family. He was that 'small, light-colored, curly-haired dog' who filled our lives with laughter and comfort, whether he was playing in the green grass amidst fallen autumn leaves or just sitting calmly on someone's lap on a sunny day. We remember him as a playful puppy, full of mischief, and later as a steadfast companion, sometimes even wearing his little red harness, always ready to be there for us through thick and thin. Coping with the loss of a pet, especially one who battled chronic illness like Colby with his epilepsy, adds another layer of complexity. We poured so much love and care into managing his health, celebrating every good day, and cherishing every moment. Making those difficult end-of-life decisions, knowing you've done everything possible, doesn't lessen the pain, but it can bring a quiet sense of peace that they are no longer suffering. Allow yourself to feel the grief fully. It's okay to cry, to miss them terribly, and to feel a hole in your heart. There's no right or wrong way to mourn. I found comfort in remembering all the happy times: Colby lying next to a baby, or all of us gathered as a family, with him always at our feet. These memories, captured in photos and held in our hearts, are treasures we'll cherish forever. Many people find solace in memorializing their pets. This could be creating a photo album, planting a tree in their honor, or keeping a special item like their collar. Sharing stories with loved ones who knew Colby also helped us immensely. It's a way to keep their spirit alive and celebrate the incredible life they led. Finding support from others who have experienced pet loss, whether friends or online communities, can also be incredibly validating and comforting. The love we shared with Colby will always be a part of us. While the pain of saying goodbye is immense, it's a testament to the profound love we were lucky enough to experience. He may be gone, but his paw prints will forever be on our hearts.
I’m so sorry for your loss. 💔🙏🏻🌹