Growing up I had a dog named Bonita. She was best friends with our outdoor cat, Patch. The two of them spent many years together. They’d take naps beside each other in the sun, chase birds together, and sit beside the barbecue grill in the summertime while waiting on handouts. When Patch passed away in 2010, the depth of their bond was obvious, as Bonita grieved her friend for months.
Pets are sensitive creatures capable of forming deep and loving bonds with each other. So, my fellow animal lovers, break out the tissues, because this story definitely has animal lovers’ hearts breaking all across social media as they witness the enduring love between dogs.
A very touching photo was shared of three Belgian Malinois dogs who were exchanging kisses as they said their final farewell. The photo was shared by Reddit user Rawtashk, who took a photo of their eldest dog. 11-year-old Sef is seen saying goodbye to his family in the photo. Sef was put to sleep later on that day.
Rawtashk wrote, “Our old boy is getting put down today. Somehow our other 2 seem to know, and they’ve been saying goodbye all morning.”
The family had arranged for their vet to come put Sef to sleep at their home, in order for Sef to spend his final moments peacefully surrounded by all those who loved him.
He commented on his post, “You know you have a good boy when your vet doesn’t normally do at-home euthanasia, but she volunteers to come out and do it for Sef.”
He added, “And that’s what happened this morning. Somehow Rhonin and Jaina both knew because they kept coming over and giving Sef kisses this morning while we waited for the vet. Sef was able to go peacefully at home, while my wife and I stroked his fur and told him how much we loved him and how much we were going to miss him.”
“I love you, Sef. You were the best boy I could have ever asked for. I would have carried you forever, had I been able to, but it wasn’t fair for you,” Rawtashk wrote.
The family also followed up on the original post, writing, “Thanks for the kind words, everyone. We said our goodbyes and he’s getting cremated so we can put his ashes on the mantle next to our first dog. He was the best boy I could have ever asked for. Love you buddy. I hope you had a wonderful time.”
Sef’s owner later revealed to LADbible that since Sef passed away, the other two dogs have been sad.
“We have two dogs still,” he said. “A five-year-old male named Rhonin and a two-year-old female named Jaina. Rhonin has a very soft personality, and I can tell he still thinks something is wrong, although that might just be because he’s picking up on my general demeanor. Jaina is more outgoing and energetic, so she doesn’t seem too phased by it….but last night she did come over to the couch and sniff around at the blanket on the couch that has been Sef’s ‘spot’ for the last five months or so.”
Rawtashk also stated that Jaina knows she’s not allowed on the couch, yet despite this knowledge, she still has jumped up onto the couch in order to “curl up where Sef would normally be.”
Sef’s owners are hoping that those moved by Sef’s goodbye will consider supporting a dog rescue and donate to the American Belgian Malinois Rescue in his memory.
