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“He Waited There Every Day For 11 Years. I Knew One Day I’ll Come Home And He Won’t Be There”
When I lost my dog, I carried her body out of the vet’s office in a black plastic bag. She was a German Shepherd, so the bag was pretty big. As I held it in front of me and slowly made my way through the hall, people who were waiting for their appointments lowered their heads, pulling their pets closer to themselves. We try to forget the inevitable, and it’s probably a good thing. But no matter how we feel about it, eventually the day comes and it’s time to say our goodbyes. They’re never easy. I remember digging a hole in a dark forest, it was winter and the ground was hard, I was barely scratching it. I remember carefully lowering a box in the hole and my hands clinging to it, refusing to let go. But I had to. And so did Roman from Chicago. Recently, he lost his buddy, Toby. In an attempt to deal with his grief, Roman shared photos of Toby waiting for him to come back home from work, and they perfectly capture the strong bond they had.
Image credits: romansamurai
Image credits: romansamurai
“He came into my life when he was 2,” Roman told Bored Panda. “The first time I saw him, he took a poop on my living room carpet as soon as my ex put him down (it was her dog). We didn’t get along the first few months. I love dogs but this one was a brat. He wanted attention all the time. He wanted to be around you. I had a hard time getting along with a dog this smart and with so much personality and sensitivity. I used to fight with him a lot. Until my ex told me to treat him like a little person. He’s very smart. Since that day, I made an effort. And so did he. We became closest friends and when my ex and I broke up, she got to keep the apartment just so I could keep Toby. This was when he was 10.”
Image credits: romansamurai
Image credits: romansamurai
Roman said Toby was very sweet. “Even if he growled, he never bit anyone. Even when kids used to be rough with him, he was super sweet with them. The smaller they were, the more he let them get away with. And he was very protective of everyone. If he saw someone fighting or arguing, he’d try to stop them by getting up on his hind legs and up on the person to try and distract them. He was so sweet. And very people-motivated. He loved to be around people.”
Image credits: romansamurai
Image credits: romansamurai
Roman, who now helps run a medium size carrier company was an optometrist and would usually leave the house 8-10 hours. “He knew when I would get home. He had a sense for it. He’d be in the window and then by the door and I could hear him whine with excitement from outside before I even came in. He then would try to jump on me and lick my face and was just a bundle of pure, full-on excitement.”
Image credits: romansamurai
Image credits: romansamurai
“Sometimes I could be gone 10 minutes and he’d be so excited I’m back as if I was gone for years”
Image credits: romansamurai
Image credits: romansamurai
“Toby was 16 and he outlived everyone’s expectations. He’s a cancer survivor”
Image credits: romansamurai
Image credits: romansamurai
“He had three serious surgeries before. Torn ligament. And dilated cardiomyopathy. The doctors said he was likely not going to live a very long life. He beat the odds. And even when he was sick. He had cancer again and stage 4 kidney failure (diagnosed in October 2018), the vet said ‘this dog in front of me does not match the test results on the computer screen.’ He was still lovely and happy and still somewhat energetic. He lived until February.”
Image credits: romansamurai
Image credits: romansamurai
“Where his last three days he was not keeping anything down and was very lethargic. So we all said goodbyes and took him to the vet. This was the most painful decision I had to make in my life so far and it still haunts me 4 months later like it was yesterday.”
Image credits: romansamurai
People have been sending Roman their condolences, appreciating the precious friendship he had with Toby
That feeling when you open to be greeted with love is special. It’s heartbreaking when you come home and there is nothing. I’m sorry for the loss, they become such a huge part of the family. Even though my dog has been gone for 5 years, I still miss her. I have a beautiful photo of her by the front door so I can still feel like I am being partly greeted by her.
My beloved cat passed away 16 years ago. Feels like yesterday, miss him as much as 16 years ago. You can never shrug off the loss of someone, who was special to you. Ever.
Load More Replies...The emptyness is awlays there. I once read, that we can have a few animal friends along our lives, but they have only us throughout their own. It hit me so hard, that now I live by it everyday making sure my two furballs have anything and everything best I can give them. I know it will break my heart one day to lose them, makes me cry at the thought, but also makes me even more persistent to make sure they have the happiest lives ever.
I got my dog as a puppy. After a week of having her, it hit me. She will not live as long as I do. Some day, hopefully (still) far away, I will have to live without her. She's three, we're going through a lot right now and she's my rock, my quiet space, my universe. I've buried other pets before, never had a bond with them as I have now with my dog. Dogs are special.
this is something that you can never prepare yourself for. and I sure was not prepared to start tearing up in the office. sorry for your loss, a best friend is never forgotten .
Same mate, the 2 girls i'm with tonight have seen me a few times choking up, they know it's always about animals, i don't care, real men love their animals.
Load More Replies...We lost our Malinois Shepard dog over a year ago on a brain tumor and every day it still feels like we've lost our child. They truly become family members and saying goodbye to them is one of the hardest things to do. Cherish your good memories and know that your love was mutual.
Just wanted to mention that I MET him when he was 2. But they moved in when he was 3-4 already.
Sorry for your loss dude, just remember the good times, and allow yourself plenty of time to grieve, it just takes time.
Load More Replies...My Boston terrier had cancer and couldn't walk . Carried that dog for four years. He helped me through my recovery from cancer. I couldn't let him down. Then one day it was too much for him and I had to put him down. It was excrutiang, but I knew it was time. I now rescued an 11 year old Boston who has cataracts and lost a lot of his teeth. I love him so...
I was prepared for a lot of things today but shed a tear was not one of them.
This makes me want to sob, i felt every word of that with him, worst time of my life has been losing our dogs and cats. They are only part of our world, we are their whole world. I'm going to be bummed out for the rest of the day now, need to go home and hug my animals. They are our best friends and our family, i just sent this article to my missus, she can be bummed out with me. Losing pets is just losing another family member, but i am never that close and bonded with my human family.
I feel a pain in my heart reading this, and wonder how will I cope when this happens to my hairy baby, the paw on his hand broke me all together. Also who is telling the story in the beginning? how disrespectful of the vet's to let you walk out with your'e beloved companion in a black sack, disgusting.
I know this feeling so well. I have been "Meowmy" to many cats with the Feline Leukemia Virus. For those who don't know what that is, it's an, as of yet, incurrable retrovirus that attacks a cat's immune system. It can also cause cancer and an agressive form of anemia. Kittens born with the virus typically have a life expectancy of 2 years and older cats that contract the virus can live five years or so. As with anything, there are exceptions. My only surviving FelV baby just turned 7. She was born with the virus. I still miss every baby I've lost to this disease, but it has taught me to celebrate an cherise every moment I have with my babies. I also learned that gving a home to another cat in need not only helps my heart to heal, but also serves as a legacy to those who are gone. I hope that, when the time is right, Roman gives another dog a chance at a forever home.
Oh, so sorry for you! I can't imagine how empty it must feel to pull up to the house and not see him waiting for you.
I had to put my 15yr old staffy to sleep nearly 2wks ago. Got him as a very abused rescue at 10mths old and took over a year to get him to blossom. He became the funniest, happiest dog you ever met. I haven't been able to grieve since we lost him but this article has just kicked it off
This made me cry.....Over the years, I have lost two dogs and several cats. When one of my dogs died, my boss (who was a dog lover) gave me two "grief days" off because he knew how heartbroken I was. There is such a void left when that special love in your life is gone. They are never forgotten because the good memories live on....
Losing my beloved dog was as devastating as losing a family member....maybe even worse. I still cry and miss him so much. It's been 10 months, but I don't think I will ever get over the horrible pain I feel. So sorry for your loss and I share your pain and grief.
We don't deserve animals. I'm happy we have them in our lives but humans truly don't deserve the unconditional love and joy animals bring us.
So heartbreaking, I can’t stop crying. I’m so sorry for your loss. Roman was much loved, may you find peace. Blessings
Ah God! WHY did I read this? Each of my dogs have, in turn, left indelible paw prints on my heart. So hard to lose them, but worth the pain for the time we had together. My older dog is now 14 and failing. "For you, he's only a short time of your life. For him, you're all of his life." Give him the best life you can.
No one loves you or is as excited to see you as your dog. Every day.
We recently lost our princess or min fox terrier lacey she died on the 25th may this year we brought her home on the 24th may 11yrs ago for our son's 13th birthday when he went to university 6 yrs later she became my sidekick where I was she was and her partner in crime our 8yr old yorkie jack would be with her ,she died in my arms peacefully with us all around her ,she was only diagnosed a couple of weeks previous with a chronic heart condition broke our hearts and jack though he misses her has turned to our cat as his new companion but it feels strange going on walks without her or having her meet me at the door coming in from work the pair would neighbourhood watch all day a piece of us is missing but I've a beautiful photo made for me using one of the last photos we took of her to remember her by
I'm (of course) crying reading this, I lost my dearest doggie on January 17 and I'm still heartbroken and forever will be, because I lost a huge part of my life and my best friend. When I come home I always hope she'll greet me as she did for almost 17 years. Having a true human-dog friendship is a blessing, we should be grateful for the opportunity to have them in our lives, even for such short time.
I can't stop my tears to fall...I have the same experience with my two childhood dogs...and now I have dog who is 14 years old...I just don't know what to say, only - I know how you feel...your dog was a happy one because of you :)
Don't let your decision haunt you... it was the most unselfish thing you could ever do for him. Love makes you want to keep them with you but, ultimately, the most loving decision is to let them go when their quality of life is no more. I've been there, it's the hardest thing I've ever done... but it was the right thing to do for my best friend.
Hello Roman,
Thank you for sharing your love and your loss. I just had to say goodbye to my sweet, loving friend Scooter - my 15 year and 7 month old Beagle - a similar story, but I was fortunate enough that I got to spend more time with my sweet boy. In the last two years of his life, I was able to work from home, so was with him almost 24/7. I understand your pain and terrible sadness. I am living it myself. Here's a photo of my sweet boy, who also waited at the window if I even went to the mailbox. I took this photo on Friday afternoon, and my sweet boy went into crisis the following afternoon. The heartbreak is indescribable. IMG_1633-5...65c3f8.jpg
Our hearts break when we put pets die. I had to put my cat Freaky to sleep in May of 2018 and my heart still hurts.
I’m heartbroken for you, however you were a great dad to this gentle soul! RIP dear Toby. Know that he plays pain free with all my pups past the Rainbow Bridge!
So, so sorry for the loss of your "Best Buddy"........your "Fur Baby"!
I have a 16 going on 17 year old Min Pin, He is always so excited to see me and waits at the door. The thought of him not being there anymore crushes me!!
I had a dog named Pippin, we'd had him since he was 3 months old. He died in July 2017 at age 11. He used to bark his head off whenever anyone walked into the house and then as soon as he saw who it was, he would stop barking and be so happy that one of his favorite people walked through the door. It is still tough to get home and not hear that anymore. My other dog took over his barking, but never seems as happy to see me as Pippin was.
7 months ago our dog thanos suffering from distemper was euthanized by his vet....we were really in pain thats why i cry whenever i read similar stories of dog loss
I feel for you.. I lost my best friend titus the westie in February. One sunday he begged for bacon..then on Monday he stopped eating and slept alot..his body shut down. On Sunday I went to the vet to put titus down. He was 14yrs old. I also buried my dog in a spot that he loved...he use to just sit there and watch the world go by..
I lost my dalmation last year, I found him when I got up one morning, on the floor silent and unable to move. I rushed him to the vet but he died in my arms. The vet said that he had massive internal bleeding. We believe that he had been poisoned. Several other animals had suffered the same fate over the past weeks. It is bad enough having your best friend die of natural causes, but when you know they have been made to suffer and killed by some selfish bastard it leaves you with a feeling I can't begin to describe.
I feel so sorry too. I lost my dog last year, she was about 10 years old then. I miss her, though I did not get to see her much.
Load More Replies...My little punkface is only 3 and I so terrified of this. I just can't fathom my life without her.
My dad is a very tough, out-doorsy, manly man. My mom had only ever seen him cry twice and one was when his beloved dog Jack had a heart attack in my dad's arms. They really are a true part of the family and it's hard to lose a family member. I have two fur babies (cats) who my husband and I love dearly. This is the only sucky part about having a pet, when they pass. My heart def goes out to this guy!
This story as well as all the comments are so deeply touching. I'm shedding a tear for the collective joy and loss we experience as fur parents. I have loved and lost 2 St. Bernards, and 5 Flemish Giant Rabbits. My last dog died a month to the day my rabbit died in the same year(last year). I have adopted another Saint who is only 13 months, and am left with 2 cats and 2 bunnies. It's so hard to think that I have gone and will go through the joy and loss many times throughout my life. I believe overall the joy and the memory of their lives far outweighs the profound suffering of their loss. Thank you OP and others for sharing.
Is no one else going to point out that the headline makes it sound like the owner posted pics after his own death? (“After His Death, Owner Shares The Tearjerking Pics”)
That feeling when you open to be greeted with love is special. It’s heartbreaking when you come home and there is nothing. I’m sorry for the loss, they become such a huge part of the family. Even though my dog has been gone for 5 years, I still miss her. I have a beautiful photo of her by the front door so I can still feel like I am being partly greeted by her.
My beloved cat passed away 16 years ago. Feels like yesterday, miss him as much as 16 years ago. You can never shrug off the loss of someone, who was special to you. Ever.
Load More Replies...The emptyness is awlays there. I once read, that we can have a few animal friends along our lives, but they have only us throughout their own. It hit me so hard, that now I live by it everyday making sure my two furballs have anything and everything best I can give them. I know it will break my heart one day to lose them, makes me cry at the thought, but also makes me even more persistent to make sure they have the happiest lives ever.
I got my dog as a puppy. After a week of having her, it hit me. She will not live as long as I do. Some day, hopefully (still) far away, I will have to live without her. She's three, we're going through a lot right now and she's my rock, my quiet space, my universe. I've buried other pets before, never had a bond with them as I have now with my dog. Dogs are special.
this is something that you can never prepare yourself for. and I sure was not prepared to start tearing up in the office. sorry for your loss, a best friend is never forgotten .
Same mate, the 2 girls i'm with tonight have seen me a few times choking up, they know it's always about animals, i don't care, real men love their animals.
Load More Replies...We lost our Malinois Shepard dog over a year ago on a brain tumor and every day it still feels like we've lost our child. They truly become family members and saying goodbye to them is one of the hardest things to do. Cherish your good memories and know that your love was mutual.
Just wanted to mention that I MET him when he was 2. But they moved in when he was 3-4 already.
Sorry for your loss dude, just remember the good times, and allow yourself plenty of time to grieve, it just takes time.
Load More Replies...My Boston terrier had cancer and couldn't walk . Carried that dog for four years. He helped me through my recovery from cancer. I couldn't let him down. Then one day it was too much for him and I had to put him down. It was excrutiang, but I knew it was time. I now rescued an 11 year old Boston who has cataracts and lost a lot of his teeth. I love him so...
I was prepared for a lot of things today but shed a tear was not one of them.
This makes me want to sob, i felt every word of that with him, worst time of my life has been losing our dogs and cats. They are only part of our world, we are their whole world. I'm going to be bummed out for the rest of the day now, need to go home and hug my animals. They are our best friends and our family, i just sent this article to my missus, she can be bummed out with me. Losing pets is just losing another family member, but i am never that close and bonded with my human family.
I feel a pain in my heart reading this, and wonder how will I cope when this happens to my hairy baby, the paw on his hand broke me all together. Also who is telling the story in the beginning? how disrespectful of the vet's to let you walk out with your'e beloved companion in a black sack, disgusting.
I know this feeling so well. I have been "Meowmy" to many cats with the Feline Leukemia Virus. For those who don't know what that is, it's an, as of yet, incurrable retrovirus that attacks a cat's immune system. It can also cause cancer and an agressive form of anemia. Kittens born with the virus typically have a life expectancy of 2 years and older cats that contract the virus can live five years or so. As with anything, there are exceptions. My only surviving FelV baby just turned 7. She was born with the virus. I still miss every baby I've lost to this disease, but it has taught me to celebrate an cherise every moment I have with my babies. I also learned that gving a home to another cat in need not only helps my heart to heal, but also serves as a legacy to those who are gone. I hope that, when the time is right, Roman gives another dog a chance at a forever home.
Oh, so sorry for you! I can't imagine how empty it must feel to pull up to the house and not see him waiting for you.
I had to put my 15yr old staffy to sleep nearly 2wks ago. Got him as a very abused rescue at 10mths old and took over a year to get him to blossom. He became the funniest, happiest dog you ever met. I haven't been able to grieve since we lost him but this article has just kicked it off
This made me cry.....Over the years, I have lost two dogs and several cats. When one of my dogs died, my boss (who was a dog lover) gave me two "grief days" off because he knew how heartbroken I was. There is such a void left when that special love in your life is gone. They are never forgotten because the good memories live on....
Losing my beloved dog was as devastating as losing a family member....maybe even worse. I still cry and miss him so much. It's been 10 months, but I don't think I will ever get over the horrible pain I feel. So sorry for your loss and I share your pain and grief.
We don't deserve animals. I'm happy we have them in our lives but humans truly don't deserve the unconditional love and joy animals bring us.
So heartbreaking, I can’t stop crying. I’m so sorry for your loss. Roman was much loved, may you find peace. Blessings
Ah God! WHY did I read this? Each of my dogs have, in turn, left indelible paw prints on my heart. So hard to lose them, but worth the pain for the time we had together. My older dog is now 14 and failing. "For you, he's only a short time of your life. For him, you're all of his life." Give him the best life you can.
No one loves you or is as excited to see you as your dog. Every day.
We recently lost our princess or min fox terrier lacey she died on the 25th may this year we brought her home on the 24th may 11yrs ago for our son's 13th birthday when he went to university 6 yrs later she became my sidekick where I was she was and her partner in crime our 8yr old yorkie jack would be with her ,she died in my arms peacefully with us all around her ,she was only diagnosed a couple of weeks previous with a chronic heart condition broke our hearts and jack though he misses her has turned to our cat as his new companion but it feels strange going on walks without her or having her meet me at the door coming in from work the pair would neighbourhood watch all day a piece of us is missing but I've a beautiful photo made for me using one of the last photos we took of her to remember her by
I'm (of course) crying reading this, I lost my dearest doggie on January 17 and I'm still heartbroken and forever will be, because I lost a huge part of my life and my best friend. When I come home I always hope she'll greet me as she did for almost 17 years. Having a true human-dog friendship is a blessing, we should be grateful for the opportunity to have them in our lives, even for such short time.
I can't stop my tears to fall...I have the same experience with my two childhood dogs...and now I have dog who is 14 years old...I just don't know what to say, only - I know how you feel...your dog was a happy one because of you :)
Don't let your decision haunt you... it was the most unselfish thing you could ever do for him. Love makes you want to keep them with you but, ultimately, the most loving decision is to let them go when their quality of life is no more. I've been there, it's the hardest thing I've ever done... but it was the right thing to do for my best friend.
Hello Roman,
Thank you for sharing your love and your loss. I just had to say goodbye to my sweet, loving friend Scooter - my 15 year and 7 month old Beagle - a similar story, but I was fortunate enough that I got to spend more time with my sweet boy. In the last two years of his life, I was able to work from home, so was with him almost 24/7. I understand your pain and terrible sadness. I am living it myself. Here's a photo of my sweet boy, who also waited at the window if I even went to the mailbox. I took this photo on Friday afternoon, and my sweet boy went into crisis the following afternoon. The heartbreak is indescribable. IMG_1633-5...65c3f8.jpg
Our hearts break when we put pets die. I had to put my cat Freaky to sleep in May of 2018 and my heart still hurts.
I’m heartbroken for you, however you were a great dad to this gentle soul! RIP dear Toby. Know that he plays pain free with all my pups past the Rainbow Bridge!
So, so sorry for the loss of your "Best Buddy"........your "Fur Baby"!
I have a 16 going on 17 year old Min Pin, He is always so excited to see me and waits at the door. The thought of him not being there anymore crushes me!!
I had a dog named Pippin, we'd had him since he was 3 months old. He died in July 2017 at age 11. He used to bark his head off whenever anyone walked into the house and then as soon as he saw who it was, he would stop barking and be so happy that one of his favorite people walked through the door. It is still tough to get home and not hear that anymore. My other dog took over his barking, but never seems as happy to see me as Pippin was.
7 months ago our dog thanos suffering from distemper was euthanized by his vet....we were really in pain thats why i cry whenever i read similar stories of dog loss
I feel for you.. I lost my best friend titus the westie in February. One sunday he begged for bacon..then on Monday he stopped eating and slept alot..his body shut down. On Sunday I went to the vet to put titus down. He was 14yrs old. I also buried my dog in a spot that he loved...he use to just sit there and watch the world go by..
I lost my dalmation last year, I found him when I got up one morning, on the floor silent and unable to move. I rushed him to the vet but he died in my arms. The vet said that he had massive internal bleeding. We believe that he had been poisoned. Several other animals had suffered the same fate over the past weeks. It is bad enough having your best friend die of natural causes, but when you know they have been made to suffer and killed by some selfish bastard it leaves you with a feeling I can't begin to describe.
I feel so sorry too. I lost my dog last year, she was about 10 years old then. I miss her, though I did not get to see her much.
Load More Replies...My little punkface is only 3 and I so terrified of this. I just can't fathom my life without her.
My dad is a very tough, out-doorsy, manly man. My mom had only ever seen him cry twice and one was when his beloved dog Jack had a heart attack in my dad's arms. They really are a true part of the family and it's hard to lose a family member. I have two fur babies (cats) who my husband and I love dearly. This is the only sucky part about having a pet, when they pass. My heart def goes out to this guy!
This story as well as all the comments are so deeply touching. I'm shedding a tear for the collective joy and loss we experience as fur parents. I have loved and lost 2 St. Bernards, and 5 Flemish Giant Rabbits. My last dog died a month to the day my rabbit died in the same year(last year). I have adopted another Saint who is only 13 months, and am left with 2 cats and 2 bunnies. It's so hard to think that I have gone and will go through the joy and loss many times throughout my life. I believe overall the joy and the memory of their lives far outweighs the profound suffering of their loss. Thank you OP and others for sharing.
Is no one else going to point out that the headline makes it sound like the owner posted pics after his own death? (“After His Death, Owner Shares The Tearjerking Pics”)
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