The Hardest part of the journey.

A note from Bert on grief and goodbyes.

“Hello, friends. It’s me, Bert and I must warn you this blog was a tough one to write.

Today, I want to talk about something a bit heavier than usual. You see, not every story ends with muddy paws and squeaky toys, sometimes our leads go quiet, our beds lie empty and our humans are left with a hole that no amount of dog hair on the sofa can quite fill.

Saying goodbye to a dog is heartbreakingly hard, I know, because I’ve seen it from the other side with my mum and dad when they had to say goodbye to my sister Lily. I watched the moment their world was turned upside down, I saw the tears and the sadness. We dogs may not be able to make you a cup of sweet tea or bake you a casserole, but if we could sit beside you in that moment, we would. Tail gently thumping, head on your knee and tell you it is okay to be sad and just be quiet company for your shattered heart.

And here’s something beautiful you might not know your hooman brain actually has a special space just for us. A part of your mind lights up when you look at your dog, similar to when you see your closest family members. Scientists call it the periaqueductal gray a centre involved in love, bonding, and protection. It’s part of what makes the bond between humans and dogs so fiercely strong, and why the loss cuts so deeply. We weren’t “just dogs.” We were woven into your brain, your routines and your soul.

Grief isn’t something to be rushed. Some days, the absence will hit you like a rogue tennis ball to the face. Other days, you’ll smile remembering my ridiculous zoomies or how I used to sleep upside down with my legs in the air and tongue hanging out like I’d passed out at a doggy pub. Both are okay, both are love and perfectly normal.

People might say strange things like, that you should be “over it” quickly, “they were just a dog.” gently ignore them. We dogs aren’t “just” anything. We’re your companions, therapists, secret keepers, toast thieves and your biggest fans. Grieve how you need to.

And please don’t feel guilty about laughing again, or getting another dog when you’re ready. We dogs have a big heart for sharing. I promise, we’d want your home filled with joy and muddy paw prints once more. We would want you to share the love you showed us to another dog.

So if you’re reading this through tears, just know, the love you gave was real and it changed your dogs world completely. That’s why it hurts so much.

I’m still with you, I am still on your walks just in your heart and not on the lead.”

Love always,

Bert

P.S That gorgeous chap in the photo is the awesome Power who sadly said goodbye this week, Run free Power, run free my friend.