So after graduating and getting her first job my niece bought two Labrador puppies. They were with her through all her real first ups and downs. She got married and had two children and bought a beautiful place on 100 acres that the dogs could roam freely.

Now both 12 and slowing down the male began to decline rapidly and they had to take him to the vet and have him put down. Her husband, who is a heavy equipment operator, grabbed a piece of equipment and dug a deep grave so the coyotes wouldn’t get at him down by the creek that the two dogs loved playing in. They put the dog to rest during a nice family ceremony and went back to the house to spoil their remaining female dog.

Later that night they let the female out for its bathroom break and it didn’t come back. They didn’t think much of it because both dogs loved to sleep in the horse barn anytime the weather was decent. The dogs would always be on the porch the following morning looking for their breakfast.

The next morning when their dog didn’t show up they began to worry. The family loaded up in their side by side and began searching all the usual places on their property. As they turned the corner and the gravesite became visible the female was laying on top of the gravesite just whimpering. Of course my niece was devastated but to me it’s amazing that the female despite being in the house during the burial could immediately find her partner and realize what happened and to clearly grieve like that.

Very sad and I’ve heard similar stories before but it’s another example of how amazing dogs are and what a big part of the family they become.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: 1s1k,

Some real, "Where the Red Fern Grows" shit right there.

Always makes me tear up. We owe them everything.

My girl turns 2 soon, it already gets me when the thought that one day she'll be gone hits me.

Great story. We've always kept two labs, one old one & one young one. When the old one dies, it eventually gets replaced with another lab puppy. And the progression continues. They really become attached to each other.

Dogs are incredible and what a touching story.

Don't know if it would help in the future, but, my spouse and I are on our 6th dachshund. Whenever one would die we would let the survivor(s) smell the deceased dog so they "knew".

The survivor(s) were also present at the burial too.

Perhaps we were overthinking things but it definitely seemed to help.

I have a cat story of friendship and loss...

We adopted/rescued a 'semi-feral' bonded pair of cats back in 2016, Luna & Loki, and they were the definition of soul-mates! We have countless pics of ‘cat piles’ as they laid together, either sleeping or seemingly embracing each other, as well as grooming one another. Last September we had to euthanize Luna, who left us way too soon at just 7 years old. It was heartbreaking for everyone in our family, including Loki, as she was most gentle and sweet loving cat you could ask for. Though she was part of a feral colony at a farm in her past life ('semi-feral' by the time she came to us), she was extraordinarily affectionate, and seemingly grateful for her new life. Luna was also easily frightened, so much so, that in the six years that she was with us, we were never able to pick her up and hold her. She had a sixth sense and was always ready to switch to escape mode, though when she did, she always come trotting back to you shortly after fleeing the scene.

Loki was always her security, they were inseparable and truly loved one another! Neither Luna nor Loki ever once hissed or swatted at anyone, or gave anyone any indication they even contemplated doing so. They did everything together, and would even take turns chasing the red light, one waiting until the other got tired before they’d jump in and take over the chase. They ‘really’ liked to play Thunder Cats, sprinting about the house running and chasing one another, but all that was no more.

Euthanizing Luna was a very hard thing to do, but unfortunately she was ready and we needed to do it for her. Loki was very depressed after losing his soulmate and had some health issues within a very short time after she went to the Rainbow Bridge. He was MUCH less active and would crawl into my lap to lay down while holding on to/clutching my arm, almost seeming to hug my arm in a Loki embrace. He still does it to this day, though not every day or multiple times a day, as he did during his grieving. Due to the reduced activity post Luna, he was also drinking much less water, and that combination I believe is what primarily caused his health issues. It was a really emotional and heartbreaking period for our family as just one month later we were back at the Emergency Clinic concerned that we might lose our Loki as well. Though as a family, we weren’t really finished grieving her loss, after that scare we decided a month later that Loki 'really' needed a playmate, and in early January, we adopted a friend for him. Thankfully he’s now back to his normal active self, playing Thunder Cats regularly, but he’ll never have another Luna!

Here is a pic of Luna & Loki on the last day they were together.



My mental caption in and of that moment, was immediate and fitting…Best Friends stick together, and they have your back when you need them!

Touching. They are such gifts from God.
Thanks for sharing such a touching story. Our pets add a dimension to our lives that is hard to explain.
Sorry to your nieces family. They will have memories to remember him by for a lifetime.

My parents owned a beautiful Sheltie. The dog really bonded to my mother who was dying of cancer. When she passed, the dog lived on her side of the bed and basically died with my mom. Dad had him put to sleep a short time later.

"Where the Red Fern Grows"

Big Dan and Little Ann.

After more than 55 years, you brought me to that place I shed the same tears.

Thank you. And my utmost condolences to the loss to your niece and family.

When we had to put down our Golden female we brought our male along.
We found out pretty much by accident that if we had to leave one at the vet for something, when we brought the other along, it was okay that their playmate was gone for a while.
He laid next to her when she passed and I firmly believe “He knew.”
Damn…it’s getting hard to see the screen for some reason.

I know the heartbreak you’re feeling.
We don’t deserve them or the love they give us but I’m sure grateful for it!