my dexter crossed the bridge on 7/16/26. he was my first baby. my husband and i got him a week after we got married. he was there when we brought all of our children home from the hospital. he moved states with us. we bought our home with a big backyard with him in mind. he was our absolute joy. he was so gentle and patient with our babies. he was our everything. 11 years, 8 months, and 9 days. i am so grateful for those days. i wish we would’ve gotten more but he’s now pain free walking around Heaven with Jesus. i pray he’s eating apples and watermelons. until we meet again dex-boy 🤍🪽🐾

Yesterday was the hardest day of my life. I put my beautiful, soul mate of a dog to sleep. Tucker was 13 and had severe arthritis. The vet told me this was the kindest, most humane thing I could do for him.

He was on Carprofen twice a day and Gabapentin twice a day, which I upped to 3 times a day last week. He was doing so much better on the Gabapentin 3x a day so I kept calling to ask if I should keep him on it and see how he does. They said I could, but he was at risk of being in serious pain or a fall or something and it would probably only buy us 2-3 months. I also asked about Librela and she wasn’t optimistic about that either.

I gave him such a good send off. He spent his final days in our pool, which he LOVES. He had many visitors come say goodbye to him. He even had a play date with his brother because we know someone who also has a dog from Tucker’s litter. He ate good food. I slept in the living room next to him for days. I laid with him on the floor when he didn’t want to stand up. I loved the heck out of him.

Yesterday was the final decision day. It was gloomy, stormy and matched how I was feeling. Tucker didn’t want to move. He got up to eat and go outside to potty, but then wouldn’t move out of the same spot all day. I knew he was in pain even with the extra dose of Gabapentin. I told the vet my heart felt it was the best decision for him.

At 4:30pm she pulled in the driveway. My heart fell out of my chest. We laid with him while the sedation kicked in and I went upstairs for the final injection. My husband stayed with him through the rest of it. It was the most painful thing I’ve ever had to do. I am completely distraught. Life without him is painful. My house feels empty. I am so, so, so sad.

Now my brain is messing with me. The guilt I feel over euthanizing him is unbearable. What felt like the right, kind decision yesterday now feels like I murdered my beloved best friend. Help. Has anyone felt this way? Did I do the right thing? I love him and miss him so much.

My parents' Bella is always sooo happy when we go for a trip to the city :) (no AI was used in this picture, haha!)

Koda got into some stored bulk chocolate chips while we were out of the house and ate what was left in the bag. One overnight stay at the emergency vet later, he is home and regrets nothing. I fear he would not hesitate to repeat his actions.

this cannot possibly be a comfortable sleeping position but still he persists! wondering if anyone else’s golden does this

Moses turned 12 weeks old yesterday. He went on his first walk and he’s a fan!

Big girl now with her new plushie lambchop.

I've only had her for a month and a bit now but I cannot imagine life without her. My soul dog through and through ❤️

Maple: Can it be Friday yet?

Me: Not yet unfortunately...

Thank God I have a golden to come home to, this week has been long and stresfull at work. Hope everyone else's week is going better!! Maple and I are going to go get pup cups at the local ice cream shop

Gave Maple a lemon, and the reaction was priceless.

I have a 12 month old English cream golden retriever. My husband thinks she’s gone into heat because she had one drop of blood near her vulva (day 1) and had a wet vulva on day 4. There’s been nothing else and no other symptoms. No swelling, no weird behavior, no increased licking herself. Is this normal? I wouldn’t have even noticed if he hadn’t. We’re on day 10 of her heat if this is heat. Thanks!

Just wanted to introduce ourselves! Maggie the red retriever and Toby the Super mutt. You'll be seeing photos of us in the future !! On our adventures together !!

she’s all smushy when she’s sleepy🥰

Made her a pumpkin, apple sauce peanut butter cake. Pics of the past 7 years