My Dad just had to have our dog Babe put to sleep. His dog Babe was just getting ready to turn 13.

She swam every summer and fall of her life in the family pool. We always had a great time. She loved to dive off the diving board even.

Dad got her when he was having sciatica in the Fall of 1997. He would lay on his back in terrible pain. Little onery Babe would chew on his ears with her baby teeth and he would cry and laugh at the same time. She helped him so much.

She began to have ear infections and she began to have back and joint problems and signs of some depression as she was turning 7. Dad began to take her in the office with him and that helped a little.

As fall changed to winter, Babe began to have more tightness and further ear problems. She began to go on medicines before Charlie showed up.

Charlie was a 1 year old stray. I lived in a house 1 block from my Dad. Charlie showed up at my house first and was eating my trash. I shooed him away and he was none too happy.

Well a few days later Charlie decided to sleep under Mom and Dad's car. He was hanging around their house because he had warm places to hide and he would visit Babe when she went outside. Charlie loved Babe.

Well my Mom fell in love with Charlie and so did Babe. Charlie is a beautiful mutt. He looks like he may be part Simoian, Husky, Chow, and maybe even a little wolf. He is extremely protective of his territory and loves women of every breed and species. He is a real ladies man and kind of a con dog.

Well, Mom talked Dad into keeping Charlie. He protected Babe every day. He would lick her ears everyday. She never had an ear infection again. And strangely she became less depressed and her joint and back condition improved. She had a new friend to run with. They chased squirrels and rabbits and even cats if they got into Dad's yard. They would actually herd squirrels. It was interesting to watch. They killed very few.... it was more of a cat and mouse game and it was funny.

Fast forward 5 years to 2009, Babe begins to have bad back and joint problems and she strangely began to have some swelling in different places and hot spots. Then a few months ago, the problems became a little more severe.

I bought Babe a ramp. I found out about a supp called joint maxx which I bought. We proceeded to work with the vet and put Babe on anti-biotics and a steroid to improve things.

Well Babe got a little stronger. She was really happy too. This made Charlie happy too.

But the problems popped up again. Her back and joints were improved but then she then had swelling on her head and neck and it began to ooze. He hair began to fall off in this area and you could see little nodules on her head and neck.

The vet came out to see her and let us know that she had a very very agressive and nasty cancer. He told us what our options were and there weren't any great ones. My Dad made the toughest decision of his life and put Babe to sleep. He will never tell me this but I know it was his toughest decision because Babe was his best friend. He is devastated and so is Charlie. Charlie knows Babe is gone.

Babe is honestly my best friend too. Sometimes you really don't know how much you care for someone or something until they are gone.

We did many things right in taking care of Babe but I think we all can be more proactive in preventive care.

In hindsight, I wish we had begun giving Babe supplements back when she was 7. I also wish we had bought her ramps when she was 7. I also wish we had bought even better dog food and gave her raw egg yolks, flax oil, and cottage cheese once in a while.

The day she died i had a strange compulsion.... I left work to go see her in her back yard at Mom & Dad's. Charlie and Babe both got very excited to see Nicole (my wife) and I. They both greeted us. I petted Babe and told her how much i loved her and that I would always take good care of her. She barked and wagged her tail then she went to the back stairs and headed up. She looked at the back door then she looked at me and woofed. Then she looked at the back door. She didn't want in... what she wanted was a walk. I always would take her and Charlie on a walk even though she couldn't go very far. I smiled and she wagged her tail and barked. And Charlie did this little whine that he likes to do. I smiled and laughed a little and told then both that I had to go go back to work. I would see them both later. Nicole and I left the back yard and closed the gate. Babe was looking at me with her tail wagging and her nose sticking between the gate posts as she let out a low woof. I bent down and slowly petted her on the top of the head and told her that I would see her later. I would never see her again at least in this life but I have this engrained in my memory. We found out later that day about her aggressive cancer.

If your dog ever wants to walk, take her even if she can't go very far.

I know this is a long and rambling story about my best friend but I hope someone takes some enjoyment from this story or would like to comment. Just needed to tell this story.

Thanks for the read. Sorry for your loss. I can't imagine how hard it must have been for your father. I absolutely dread the day I might have to make a decision like that. It makes me realize how special spending time is with my dogs. I don't mean to sound sappy, but I do cherish every minute I spend with my dogs...even when they test my patience. I realize it's a moment I'll be able to laugh about tomorrow. At least Babe had a good home and life. That's the best thing we can do for our furry friends.

What a beautiful tribute to Babe and to Charlie, a story of love and friendship. I am so sorry for your family's loss. It's never easy and something we all dred.

Run free, Babe, you will meet again at The Bridge.

i can feel for you i lost one of my labs yesterday after a good day on the river her sibling is very upset and i am a mess as we have had them fr 30 months and and they went evry where with me when was not workingand now there is a big hole in my life where my sasha girl was please accept my heart felt condolence on your lose

Sorry about your loss. Its tough when u have to say good-bye. Condolences on your lose.