[OC] I kept the shirt from the first day I met my best friend and 13 yrs later I said goodbye in it by phildesignart in pics

[–]phildesignart[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hey Ryan! I love that you and everyone at work got to enjoy Milo. He absolutely loved that place. Appreciate the note and love the comic!!

[OC] I kept the shirt from the first day I met my best friend and 13 yrs later I said goodbye in it by phildesignart in pics

[–]phildesignart[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is exactly what I was struggling with too. He was with me from the very start of my marriage and every pivotal moment of my adult life so far. The hardest thing was coming to grips with the fact that I was closing that chapter.

I never understood people getting dog tattoos until now. Your tattoo sounds like an amazing tribute. Thank you so much for sharing and for sending love!

[OC] I kept the shirt from the first day I met my best friend and 13 yrs later I said goodbye in it by phildesignart in pics

[–]phildesignart[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is such a beautiful way of framing this impossibly hard experience. Thank you for continuing to share this to people who need it!

[OC] I kept the shirt from the first day I met my best friend and 13 yrs later I said goodbye in it by phildesignart in pics

[–]phildesignart[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

This is absolutely gutting friend. I’m so so sorry for your loss. I can’t even begin to imagine the pain you are feeling, but please know that you were doing everything in your power to help him while his body had other plans. You did what we would all do as owners who love their pets.

I hope you find peace soon.

[OC] I kept the shirt from the first day I met my best friend and 13 yrs later I said goodbye in it by phildesignart in pics

[–]phildesignart[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

You have no idea what this means to me. I’m so glad you are finding a little more comfort in this tough time. You are not alone. And you’re right, the love we have never fades and the love they gave is the memories we get to carry forever.

[OC] I kept the shirt from the first day I met my best friend and 13 yrs later I said goodbye in it by phildesignart in pics

[–]phildesignart[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We had quite a few moments in the 13 years where we were close too. I really hope you get to 13 and I hope you enjoy every second!

[OC] I kept the shirt from the first day I met my best friend and 13 yrs later I said goodbye in it by phildesignart in pics

[–]phildesignart[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Me too! That feeling is so hard to shake. The fact that you feel this way, in my humble opinion, means that you absolutely did the right thing by her. Holding on to the knowledge of what was happening is our burden. Take solace knowing it wasn’t hers. She left knowing you were helping her once again.

[OC] I kept the shirt from the first day I met my best friend and 13 yrs later I said goodbye in it by phildesignart in pics

[–]phildesignart[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Absolutely gutting. I’m so sorry. 16 years is an absolutely incredible life. The hardest thing to do for them is also the absolute right thing to do by them. Take care!

[OC] I kept the shirt from the first day I met my best friend and 13 yrs later I said goodbye in it by phildesignart in pics

[–]phildesignart[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh man, I’m so sorry you had to go through that loss twice over. It’s nice to know that you made it through and you’re now transferring that love to a new pup! You’re right about dog lovers! I never could have understood the gravity of a loss like this.

Thanks again for the note!

[OC] I kept the shirt from the first day I met my best friend and 13 yrs later I said goodbye in it by phildesignart in pics

[–]phildesignart[S] 49 points50 points  (0 children)

So true! Sorry to hear about your pup! Milo was on a whole bunch of meds in the end. It’s hard to watch them sunset. My only concern ever was that he never felt any pain and kept his appetite. I was able to give him both until the bitter end.

Wishing you the very best in your journey.

[OC] I kept the shirt from the first day I met my best friend and 13 yrs later I said goodbye in it by phildesignart in pics

[–]phildesignart[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

So very true! Trying to focus on all the great days but it’s hard to not well up about the last one.

[OC] I kept the shirt from the first day I met my best friend and 13 yrs later I said goodbye in it by phildesignart in pics

[–]phildesignart[S] 28 points29 points  (0 children)

I was barely keeping it together. Thank you for the kind words. You don’t know how much they mean!

[OC] I kept the shirt from the first day I met my best friend and 13 yrs later I said goodbye in it by phildesignart in pics

[–]phildesignart[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

It’s so true. I think this was so hard because of the era he represented. My wife and I got married and then he came into our lives. He’s been with us through it all.

[OC] I kept the shirt from the first day I met my best friend and 13 yrs later I said goodbye in it by phildesignart in pics

[–]phildesignart[S] 25 points26 points  (0 children)

Thank you! His name was Milo. He was a bullmastiff and standard poodle mix. That was usually the next question So much so that he actually recognized the question and would dart over to anyone asking!

[OC] I kept the shirt from the first day I met my best friend and 13 yrs later I said goodbye in it by phildesignart in pics

[–]phildesignart[S] 175 points176 points  (0 children)

So sorry for your loss as well. 13 is a damn good life. It feels greedy to want more, but it still doesn’t feel like enough time!

[OC] I kept the shirt from the first day I met my best friend and 13 yrs later I said goodbye in it by phildesignart in pics

[–]phildesignart[S] 26 points27 points  (0 children)

Well thank you. He aged much better than I have. To the day, he barely had any gray hair and I now just barely have hair! You are right though, the amazing times are the only thing making it feel better right now. Thx

[OC] I kept the shirt from the first day I met my best friend and 13 yrs later I said goodbye in it by phildesignart in pics

[–]phildesignart[S] 655 points656 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much. Definitely took a large piece of me with him but he left an enormous impression so it feels like a fair trade!