My dog has been diagnosed with a left brain neuro focal lymphoma.
The vet has given him just a month or two to live. I want so badly to make this time special and to create memories and memorials of him but I am too overwhelmed with sadness to know where to begin.
What have others done to commemorate their dogs and what things should I be doing with him?
Allison, by email
Dear Allison,
I am so sorry to hear your news and wish you and your boy the very best at this horrible time.
You clearly care very much for your boy and I'm sure however you choose to spend his last days will be special for you both.
Dogs Today has a tributes page which runs every issue. You would be very welcome to send us a tribute to him which you would be able to keep forever. Readers often like to include a photo and a few words about their dog, and some include a poem, but it is up to you, it is your tribute.
If you would like to send one, please do email editorial@dogstodaymagazine.co.uk or write to us at Dogs Today, The Dog House, 4 Bonseys Lane, Chobham, Surrey GU24 8JJ
Please do not hesitate to contact us if we can help at all.
Very best wishes to you both,
Rachael Millar
Assistant editor, Dogs Today
Allison, by email
Pam Burne-Jones, Blue Cross
Pet Bereavement Support Service (PBSS), advises…
First of all, Allison,
we’re sorry to hear about your beloved dog. Receiving a terminal prognosis is
always a shock and you will naturally be feeling overwhelmed at present.
Do you have any special
places you both like to visit? Perhaps go there, if you are able and take lots
of photos and make the visit special – do the things he likes to do. Remember,
he doesn’t know what’s ahead. Animals live in the present so what happens ‘now’
is what’s important to him. Someone facing a similar situation bought a heart
shaped box and cards and wrote messages on them to her pet and aims to keep
other special things in there too when her pet has passed; favourite toys,
collar etc. This will be painful for you to do right now but in time you will
have much to look back on. Blue Cross has a memorial site on which you can post
a favourite photo and poem (www.bluecross.org.uk).
It’s important at this time
to do what’s right for you, Allison. Everyone is individual in how they react,
but we hope these suggestions will help get you started.
The Pet Bereavement Support
Service is run by pet charity Blue Cross. Call the support line on 0800 096
6606 (open seven days a week, 8.30am to 8.30pm) or email pbssmail@bluecross.org.uk.
Dear Allison,
I am so sorry to hear your news and wish you and your boy the very best at this horrible time.
You clearly care very much for your boy and I'm sure however you choose to spend his last days will be special for you both.
Dogs Today has a tributes page which runs every issue. You would be very welcome to send us a tribute to him which you would be able to keep forever. Readers often like to include a photo and a few words about their dog, and some include a poem, but it is up to you, it is your tribute.
If you would like to send one, please do email editorial@dogstodaymagazine.co.uk or write to us at Dogs Today, The Dog House, 4 Bonseys Lane, Chobham, Surrey GU24 8JJ
Please do not hesitate to contact us if we can help at all.
Very best wishes to you both,
Rachael Millar
Assistant editor, Dogs Today
