This is a post that I had hoped I would never have to write, where do I even begin?
On Tuesday 20th November we lost my brother Alan to his fight with IVDD. As many of you know, Alan had 2 discs rupture in January this year which resulted in major back surgery, extensive rehabilitation and weeks of hydrotherapy. He was back on track by April walking with no issues, being able to use steps and gaining strength each day to run off lead once again. He was soon back chasing squirrels although his cornering wasn’t quite what it used to be!
Every day he seemed to be more himself, people that we knew would stop and talk to us in the park and would have no idea of what he had been through unless Mum mentioned it . They always found it hard to believe as he was running circles around me and barking at the big dogs. Quite a happy chappy chasing the squirrels and then sleeping his days away.
Then on the Saturday, Mum noticed that he seemed a bit stiff and was dragging his weaker leg. We had some back up medication for Alan so he was dosed up, put on rest and we hoped he had just pulled something and would be better in the morning after some rest. Unfortunately this was not the case and by Sunday he was being rushed to the vets. More medication was prescribed and strict crate rest. By Monday, we knew things were much worse than we had first thought and our worst fears were coming true, we were re-living 11 months before.
This is not a decision we as a family took lightly, all options were considered, Mum & Dad have always said that they would not put Alan through the operation again. He was born to be an active dog and was so stressed from the previous recovery, it just wouldn’t have been fair. He was in such pain, so unhappy and it was heartbreaking for us all to witness. With another trip to the vets, the extremely difficult decision was made to let Alan go.
Our lives feel very empty without him, the house is very still and very quiet. Mum says she keeps thinking he is there in the bed that he curled up in during the day, but alas, he isn’t. We know that this is a decision that some people may not agree with but we have always been a tight family unit and the decision was made together for Alan. We believe he had a good few months this Summer, living the dog’s life that he knew & loved but this was the kindest decision for him under the circumstances, everything we could have done was done.
We’ve been overwhelmed with the love & support that we have received from the readers & followers on all our social media platforms and our friends & family. We could not have got through this without you all. Each day things will get easier but for now, there are tears that will be shed for a while.
We want you all to remember my brother for the fun, happy, active dog that he was, so we have picked out some of our favourite photos for you.
Run free snorkel nose xxx
Jeffrey & family xxx
November 25, 2018
Such a beautiful tribute Jeffrey. Adorable photos- especially the ones with Rodney and the other four legged friends. We are all sending so much love to your family at this very sad time. God bless😘
November 25, 2018
This story is heartbreaking, but he had a wonderful life with you all. He will be dearly missed as all dogs are that leave their wonderful owners x
November 25, 2018
We are so sorry to read this very sad news about Alan. We have always enjoyed your posts. Alan was my favourite, I loved his sweet face and his many different expressions. I thought he looked like he was wearing a light colour eyeliner round his eyes. He was just so cute. Our thoughts are with the family, Jeffrey and Alan’s Grandparents who will also feel the loss.
As soon as I read the start of this post I just knew it was going to be sad and it was going to be bad news about Alan. We also had our little dachshund Bella undergo back surgery at the same time as Alan.
Bella like Alan also recovered, but we worry that one day she might have a relapse. We try hard to stop her getting too boisterous or from jumping up and down, incase she causes herself more spine problems.
It is not easy to stop a happy lively dog from running around enjoying themselves.
It’s heartbreaking to see your sweet pet dachshund have to undergo the stress of spinal surgery. They really do not understand what has happened to them. To have them recover and then have another relapse, it must have been very difficult for you. I pray we never have to make the same decision.
I am crying for Alan as I write, the tears flow for him. I am so very sad this evening. I am feeling the pain for Alan’s family and Jeffrey who will be suffering the loss of such a sweet little dog who meant so much to so many. Alan will be greatly missed.
Thank you for all the photographs. X
God bless. RIP Alan. 🙏🏻🌈😘
December 1, 2018
Hi Sue, we are so sorry to hear that you & Bella are having to go through this as well but so glad to hear that she is ok. It’s very hard to trying to keep them from hurting themselves again, we’ve always believed that we would rather Alan had led a ‘dogs’ life & it be short and happy for him rather than him not being able to do anything and have prolonged life of misery. But that is what suited him and every dog & family are different.
We will keep Bella in our thoughts, thank you so much for your kind message of love & support xx
November 25, 2018
You have some lovely photos and beautiful memories to treasure. Look after each other XXX
December 1, 2018
Hi Corinne, we are lucky that we have an abundance of photos & videos of Alan that we will indeed treasure & look back on fondly. Thank you for your support x
November 26, 2018
Reading this story I can not help but cry. Jeffrey and Alan where so great together. I loved reading and seeing them. Our Vincent is 13 years old and he had a dubble hernia some years ago. The last years he was OK and now he has a lot of pain again. We are calling the vet tomorrow to find out wether he can get some paincillers. I am so sorry for your loss. Like you say: God bless and RIP sweet Alan.
December 1, 2018
Hi Anneke, thank you so much for your support. I hope that Vincent is on the mend soon x
November 26, 2018
I cry for a lovely and brave little chap I never mer but came to know and love though your blog. I have slso gone through the same heartwrenching descisions and know the horrid pain of losing one of the best friends and family membrers one will ever meet. Take care of each other and may sweet little Alan be forever chassi g squirrels in his paradise.
December 1, 2018
Thank you, it was an extremely hard decision but from your message it seems you know the pain we have had to go through. Thank you for your support & we are in no doubt that Alan will forever be chasing squirrels xx
November 26, 2018
Heartbroken for you all xxx
December 1, 2018
Thank you x
November 26, 2018
Very 😥 To read this lovely tribute but your ❤️ for Alan shines through bless you all
December 1, 2018
Thank you Jane x
November 26, 2018
It broke my heart to read this news. We’re all thinking of you all here … as you said run free snorkel nose .. bless you little one.
November 26, 2018
I followed your precious dog on Twitter. We lost our Gracie to leukemia in September 2018 and I can feel your pain. Never second guess your decision…you did the absolute right thing for you and your furbaby. I’d like to say it gets easier…but in truth it just settles in your ❤. Praying for peace and comfort. Much love. He’s running with Gracie now🌈
November 30, 2018
So sorry to hear that you also lost Gracie this year, such a sad time for you. I’m sure Alan & Gracie are having a lovely time chasing squirrels together x
December 1, 2018
Thank you Hilary, we hope you & your hounds are well xx
November 26, 2018
Oh my goodness, I can’t see the keys to write to you through my tears. I too have a chocolate / tan dachshund. She is the love of my life. She was poorly but not with the same condition several years ago which was touch and go which then can only make the bond between you stronger when they pull though. The thought of going through it all over again and indeed having to make a very brave decision you have is unthinkable. I can’t even bare the thought of her in old age and having to let her go. I am in pieces for you. I wish you all the very best and send you the most loving and kind thoughts. I also send you lots of courage. You always did the very best for him and did so at the end, but what wonderful memories you will have, he was very lucky to have you. I hope Jeffrey will be ok in time. It is so very very difficult for you all and I can’t express how much I am thinking of you all. With lots and lots of love xxxxxx
November 26, 2018
Oh my goodness. I can not see the keyboard to write this through my tears. I am heartbroken for you.
I too have a chocolate / tan dachshund,. She is the love of my life. She was poorly several years ago and it was touch and go. Not with the same condition. But when they pull through the bond is much stronger. I can’t bare of thought of going through it again for her or me or even the thought of her in old age and having to let her go. You have had to make the most difficult decision. You have done what is right for him. I hope Jeffrey will be ok in time. I send you all loving thoughts, courage and massive love. He had the most wonderful life with you and he was very lucky to have you. I just can’t believe it, I really hope you will all be ok. With much much love xxxxxxxxx RIP Alan xx
My first post I am unsure if it went through so I have rewritten. Sorry if there is 2. xxx
December 1, 2018
Thank you so much for your lovely message, I’m sorry to hear that your little choc & tan girl was unwell but so pleased to hear she is ok now. It’s all been a shock but we are getting there day by day xx
November 26, 2018
What a wonderful collection of photos of your beautiful Alan and thank you for sharing this when you are obviously devestated and still grieving for your beloved Alan who to so many of us brought great joy with his antics and stories of him and his family but more so his beautiful brother Jeffery who must be feeling very sad. We lost one of our boys at the beginning of the year and also had to make a hard decision so I understand the emotional pain you are all going through……….my tears were streaming down my face when I read this post and my sincere love goes out to you all at this very sad time. Thank you for sharing this wonderful tribute with us. You are in my thoughts and please take care of yourselves also give Jeffery a huge hug from us lots of love Julia Graham Milo and Rodney 🐾❤️🐾
November 30, 2018
Hi Julia, thank you so much for your message and so sorry to hear of your own loss. We have so many photos that it was difficult to narrow it down to just a few, so many fond memories of Alan. It’s been extremely hard and we miss every single day but we have had so much support from everyone which has lifted our spirits. Thank you xx
November 26, 2018
I am so sorry for your loss 💔 Making the decisions to let our furbabies go in peace is never easy but it is our responsibility to make them. I am sure that you made the right decision for Alan as you were the ones who knew him best. Hugs and prayers ❤
November 30, 2018
Thank you, it was such a difficult decision & when you share it with everyone like we have had to, you do worry. But he was in such pain, we could’t put him through it all again. Thank you for your support x
November 27, 2018
Hi Jeffrey and family,
We still can’t believe that little Alan has gone. What a beautiful tribute. We never met him but he’s been part of our life ever since Mum and I stumbled across sausagetails nearly three years ago. At the time we were mourning the loss of my brother, Dill, and reading about your antics filled a hole in our hearts and made us smile again. We’ve always seen you, Jeffrey, as the ‘brains’ behind the dastardly duo and Alan was the squirrel chasing action hero, always there with a dramatic pose and comic timing. The sort of chap who dashed into the action without a moment’s thought. We used to love the look in his eyes when he was dressed up, a sort of, “What do I look like. I’ll never live this down!”. You made a magnificent pair alongside your sidekicks, the Hs and your newest recruit Joey.
At the moment you won’t be smiling but lovely memories will flow back and comfort you all. You all know that you did absolutely everything for Alan but unfortunately life’s not fair sometimes and his short, fun filled life had to come to an end far too early. You took a brave decision at the right time for Alan. As always, you put him first. Well done.
As a family we’re sending you all our love and hugs (and licks from Timm). When you’re ready, let us know how you’re getting on. Take you time, but we’d love to know what the Js could be getting up to?
With all our love,
Finn, Timm and Ann
November 30, 2018
We can’t believe it either, it still hits us everyday. Thank you for such kind words & your support, I can’t beleive you have been following us for 3 years! And it’s been so nice to hear updates on you and your brother too! We have lots of lovely memories of Alan, which is what we hold on to. He was such a character, such a lovely boy and we miss every single day. But he is no longer in pain & running with the squirrels in heaven x
November 30, 2018
So sorry for your devastating loss. It has been delightful to watch Alan grow up and experience all his adventures via the blog. He is gone far too soon. May you find solace in happy memories of that little buddy, who brought such joy to so many.
November 30, 2018
Thank you for you message & kind words x
December 6, 2018
Oh how I can relate to this sad story. We had almost the exact same thing happen earlier this year when our dachsie lost the use of his back legs. He went from being an amazingly active dog to having no use of his back legs overnight. We rushed him to the vet, but he was in terrible shape had lost feeling in much of his lower body, and we too made the crippling decision to let him go. It tortures us to this day, but as the vet said, it was likely the kindest option and as active as he had been, he would have hated to live a life on wheels. I know many people disagree with decisions like these, but every individual has to make the decision based on many things, and no decision like this comes without a huge amount of pain and anguish. I wish you all well. One day we will get another dachsie but for now the pain is still too intense.
December 14, 2018
I am so sorry to hear that you too have been through this, we are so sad to hear to hear of your loss. At the moment we too are not considering another just yet, no one at the moment can fill the hole that has been left from loosing Alan x
December 7, 2018
I’m so sorry for your your loss but doing the right thing by our babies is what we have to no matter how hard it is for us.
I lost my Dalmatian some 8 years ago now, it was the hardest thing I had to do however, laying on the floor with his head in my arms talking to him telling him how loved he truly was, I knew then & there I’d done right by him. He had a brain tumour and was starting to feel the affects from it, constant pain in his head, which started to lead to constant crying plus his whole personality started to change to, we knew then it was the time to do right by him and for him. I couldn’t watch him suffer.
He was a gift to me after I went into remission however I became very ill a year later with radiation poisoning from my treatment, this left me in bed a lot! He wouldn’t leave my side for a second. He was such a protector and I know if he were still here now he’d be my trained support dog? But sadly just weeks away from his 3rd birthday we lost him.
After his passing I swore I’d never have another dog, I couldn’t face the heartache that could come with them. Then this little dachshund popped up, needed a home urgentky, so we went, me still saying I won’t have another she can be a foster. Then I saw her living cinconditi, the fear that ciratedv from her to the point she we’d the whole time the person was carrying her. The second she was in my arms I knew she was coming home and she was going nowhere. She’s been with us for 3 years now and boy had she changed my life. What I’d do without her I honestly don’t know. We hope to find a second dachshund but they cost more than I can pay out so I’ll sit patiently and wait.
We send you all our love for your loss. I totally ubdunderst why you had to let him go and you should feel proud that you gave him an amazing home filled with love and though he’s no longer with you he’s enjoying running pain free at rainbow bridge where the trees are made of doggy biscuits and ground is made of chocy drops. He’ll enjoy his time there till one day his family will join him one by one.
We send you all our love & kisses and hope the fututfbrings you nothing but happiness 💖💖💖
December 14, 2018
What a truly lovely message Dee, thank you. It sounds like you have found a new soulmate in your little dachshund, they are such special little dogs xx