I lost my best friend today

Mack was the best friend i ever had and I can only feel I failed him by not protecting him from the cancer that seemed to ravage his body.
he was gentle and kind yet strong and purposeful. when i felt weak he seemed to urge me to carry on. he wouldnt want me to cry but i cant stop.
my Brother sent me this poem by Lord Byron and it comes close to the grief I feel right now

Epitaph to a Dog

Near this Spot
are deposited the Remains of one
who possessed Beauty without Vanity,
Strength without Insolence,
Courage without Ferosity,
and all the virtues of Man without his Vices.


This praise, which would be unmeaning Flattery
if inscribed over human Ashes,
is but a just tribute to the Memory of
BOATSWAIN, a DOG,
who was born in Newfoundland May 1803
and died at Newstead Nov. 18, 1808.

When some proud Son of Man returns to Earth,
Unknown by Glory, but upheld by Birth,
The sculptor’s art exhausts the pomp of woe,
And storied urns record who rests below.
When all is done, upon the Tomb is seen,
Not what he was, but what he should have been.
But the poor Dog, in life the firmest friend,
The first to welcome, foremost to defend,
Whose honest heart is still his Master’s own,
Who labours, fights, lives, breathes for him alone,
Unhonoured falls, unnoticed all his worth,
Denied in heaven the Soul he held on earth –
While man, vain insect! hopes to be forgiven,
And claims himself a sole exclusive heaven.
Oh man! thou feeble tenant of an hour,
Debased by slavery, or corrupt by power –
Who knows thee well must quit thee with disgust,
Degraded mass of animated dust!
Thy love is lust, thy friendship all a cheat,
Thy tongue hypocrisy, thy heart deceit!
By nature vile, ennobled but by name,
Each kindred brute might bid thee blush for shame.
Ye, who perchance behold this simple urn,
Pass on – it honors none you wish to mourn.
To mark a friend’s remains these stones arise;
I never knew but one – and here he lies.

I'm so sorry to hear this, poor boy.

RIP Mack, run free to the Rainbow Bridge.

https://staffy-bull-terrier.niceboard.com/t13988-rainbow-bridge

Very sorry for your loss. Run free Mack

i'm so sorry for your loss thank you for sharing the poem

so sorry to read about your loss.....

for what it's worth, we can empathize. please feel free to post anytime

big hugs for you it is so hard to see our babies in pain, and to lose them too soon.

Oh my God... so sorry. It must be real hard time... Cannot even begin to imagine what you are going through. Keep strong and try remember the good times together. I am sure you have been a wonderful companion to your dog.
Sometimes I think about the time when I lose my soon to come home puppy.. and how I will suffer... and I ask myself whether it is worth to even begin such experience... but this is life, we cannot stop living or doing things because one day they will be gone. I am sure you will always bring within you fantastic memories of your friend!!! Stay strong!!

sorry to hear of you loss..

sorry to hear about your loss, thank you for the poem

Run free Mack until you meet you again. No words can heal the pain or fill the void that is left behind. We are all here if you ever need to talk Xx

Thank you for sharing the poem it is beautiful. Rip your friend Mack, it is hard to say goodbye I know.

RIP Mack

So sorry for your loss. I understand the feeling of somehow failing them but you didn't, you loved him and cared for him. Its such a difficult time when we lose our babies.
That was a beautiful poem.
R.I.P. Mack. Run free.

i am so sorry about Mack. The poem is beautiful. Sometimes I think that if we ever thought about the inevitable pain of losing them we would miss out on many good years af joy and deep friendship. Our thoughts are with you.

run free mack

what a beautiful poem..

I am sure Mack had a wonderful life with you....

memories don't fade
they just grow deep
of the ones we love
but cannot keep


Run free at Rainbow Bridge Mack...

I know it won't make you feel any better but I am sending you a ><

I'm so sorry about your loss...
You will always remember Mack and this way he will always be with you in your heart...but I know it hurts so much... Stella and me are with you in our thoughts!!!
Xx

Rip Mack
Sending you hugs and licks from skye and buster ><

They´re Only Ours for a Little While
by Nancy Hanson

We humans are prone to chase rainbows,
always wanting that pot of gold.
But the wisest of us remember the joy
of just a small creature to hold.
Allow yourself to accept their great gift,
and know what devotion is worth.
If you´ve been loved by a dog or cat,
you´re the richest person on earth.
But their lives are lived in miniature-
bright sun to palest moon.
They bless our days with innocence,
and faithfulness that´s stilled too soon.
These precious lives are fragile,
as fleeting as a baby´s smile.
So give them all the love you have.
They´re only ours for a little while.
And in the lonely moments
when you pause to wonder why,
hold close those brightest shooting stars
that burn so briefly in our sky.
But then look deeper in your heart
to know all love must intertwine,
and when the night sky seems the darkest,
you´ll see their light forever shine.
Im so sorry, This was sent to me when i lost my girl

rip mack
i cant imagine how you must be feeling,so sorry for your loss.

Sorry for your loss...

So sorry for your loss

Thank you all for your kind messages. It's been a great help to know you all empathize and have taken the time to send your best wishes. i know from previous dogs that the grieving process never really ends we always miss them. All we can hope is that with each day the hurt gets less. Would love to think that at some point in the future another Staffy could be in my life. Once again thank you. I'm sure mack would have thanked you too.

Dear Stew, sorry for your loss. I can only echo all the above messages. I am sure there is a little Staffy waiting for you in the future. The pain will fade, try remembering the good times and hat you were blessed to have had the unconditional love of Mack.

let yourself grieve. it's a natural part of the healing prosess. we're here if you need to talk

Sorry for your loss Sending my love x

So sorry for your loss...
RIP Mack, run free now till you both meet again. ><

I'm sorry to hear about Mack, looking at your avatar he looked like handsome staffy

RIP Mack.

Keep us in the loop Stew if you decide to get another staffy.

so sorry for your loss. rip mack!

Oh Stew, I`m so sorry for the loss of your boy. I know exactly how you`re feeling. I lost my old girl only a few weeks ago and it still hurts like it was just yesterday. It will take time but you`ll get there. Out there somewhere there will be another little baby just waiting for you when the time is right. Just remember Mack had the best life with you and you did everything that you could possibly do for him. Take care and remember we are all here for you if you want to talk. xx ><

sorry for your loss man rip mac

R.I.P Mack g.b.n.f

Run free Mack. So sorry to hear of your loss. Honestly understand and it is always painful but I'm sure you are better for knowing and loving him.

So sorry for your loss ... RIP Mack

sorry for your loss. it hurts real bad and as you say never completely fades away

grieve as you need but always remember the good times and the fact you gave him the best home ever

So sorry for your loss i still miss my Katie daily but the tears will dry up and smile return when you think of him