Lindisfarne Holy Island is located off the North East Coast of England in the United Kingdom. It is a site of special scientific interest with stunning views, fascinating wildlife and places of historical interest to visit. The island is dog friendly and is a great place to visit for families with children to visit as well.
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Goodbye to the one who loved me

ByNatalie Ray

There’s something special about the relationship with a dog who chooses you as his own. From the moment Pluto strolled into our house as a rescue dog, he had decided that I was his. And that’s how it has always been, for nine happy years.

Lindisfarne Holy Island is located off the North East Coast of England in the United Kingdom. It is a site of special scientific interest with stunning views, fascinating wildlife and places of historical interest to visit. The island is dog friendly and is a great place to visit for families with children to visit as well.

I couldn’t change your beginning

It’s hard to say what Pluto went through in the early years, but he wasn’t a happy dog. When our local rescue found him, he had been beaten and starved. There was wood embedded into his chest, requiring an operation to remove it. And it was many months after we got him that we suddenly noticed his tail start to wag.

A huge, out of control tail. Wagging was still reserved for special occasions, but we could see that he was finally happy. Realising he’d been through so much always made me sad. And whilst I couldn’t change his beginning, I could go some way to make up for it by giving him a good life and being there until the end.

My loyal companion

Pluto was loyal to a fault, never wanting to be anywhere but by my side. And that was just fine with me. For most of his life, he was quietly in the background with a lively staffy for company. First Soxa, then Bubbles. And while they made friends with everyone we met he hung back, preferring to stick close to me.

Others would walk with us and hold his lead. He even let the girls walk him, ever the gentle boy he never once pulled on the lead while the children had him. But there was a condition, he had to walk next to me. His terms, not mine.

The problem with dogs is that it feels as though they were always there. And we kid ourselves that they always will be.

Pluto had so many adventures with us, I don’t know where to begin. Scottish Lochs, the Isle of Wight, Lindisfarne island and he’s even been in Eastnor Castle. There were steam trains, canal boats, camper vans and ferries. Wherever I went, he was there. Trotting along by my side, where he was happiest.

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Saying goodbye

We never really knew how old Pluto was, but we think around 15 or 16. He was in great condition and walking well. Within the past fortnight he has been to Devil’s Bridge, Witley Court, Pembrey and on the Malvern Hills.

Yesterday morning, he woke up unable to use his back legs properly. We took him to the vets and they tried medication but he deteriorated overnight. This morning, we knew we had to do what was right for him and let him go.

And as I’d always promised him, I couldn’t change his beginning but I was there until the end. He was put to sleep at the vets, lying on his favourite bed with his head on my lap. He was in no pain and knew he was loved.

The problem with dogs is that it feels as though they were always there. And we kid ourselves that they always will be.

It will take a while to sink in that he is gone, the one who was always there. The one who loved me. Goodbye and thank you to my best friend.

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42 Comments

  3. Oh Nat, I’m crying. I’m so so so sorry for your loss. What a lovely boy he was, and so lucky he found you to be his forever family. I know the heartbreak can last for a long time. Be kind to yourself and grieve as long as you need.

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  4. Im so sorry for your loss Nat. I know how difficult it is to lose a member of your family like this, but you can take comfort in the fact that you gave him a happy life. Sending huge cyber hugs xxx

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  6. My thoughts and prayers are with you. My 17 year old rescue dog (I’d had her since she was a pup – having been dumped in a bin and left to die) passed a month ago – again, without warning her back legs went and was nothing to be done and, wrapped in her favourite blanket, t cuddled her as the vet helped her pass. Our other 3 rescue dogs felt the loss just as much so after much thought, this week we have a home to a 3year old Beagle who had been used and rescued from a puppy farm. It’s going to be a long journey as she is very timid and scared of humans, but Tilly would have wanted us to help another dog as we helped and loved her.

    It is heart breaking but you must remember all the happiness and love that you gave her and vice versa. Think of the good times, that is what he would want you to do.

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  7. Oh this is a heartbreaking read and I have tears running down my cheeks. You must be in agony. I am so sorry for your loss. But how amazingly honoured you have been for animals do not choose the unkind. They can sense love and loyalty and protection. Well done you for giving him something that he valued and that meant so much to him – safety and love. Thinking of you xx

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  10. Oh, dear Pluto, you sweet dog. He really was the perfect companion and the girls, I’m sure, will always remember him.

    Will be weird seeing you guys up here without him.

    Night, night Plu. Sleep tight xx

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  12. I’m so sorry to read this Nat. He sounded and looks like a truly beautiful dog who I’m sure will be missed a lot. X

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  14. Oh Nat, I am so, so sorry. It doesn’t matter how old they are, or how much of a great life we’ve given them it still hurts. Just reading posts like this brings tears to my eyes, knowing how you must be feeling and remembering dogs we’ve had to say goodbye to… Saying that wouldn’t it be perfect if we could all live our like that at the end? A family holiday and being held by the person we love most?… Big hugs to you and you family.

    xx

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  16. A gentle soul that will never, ever, leave your side because he was greatly loved and he knew it. Xx

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  21. Oh Natalie I am so very sorry. I have tears in my eyes for you both. I am glad that fate brought you together because you certainly seem to have been meant to be. I hope you hold on to your happy memories forever xx

    Reply