Flash *16.08.2003 +18.08.2018

After yesterday's great evening walk and a goodnight kiss blown down the telephone to him from my daughter Kate in Ireland, Flash decided the time had come to leave us to our own devices.

At 2:00 am he made signs that he needed to have a quick walk in the garden and when he returned I met him at the back door where he collapsed. We spent the rest of the night together lying on the doormat outside. He had no visible signs of pain but his eyes clearly showed he was now ready to go.

It was all very dignified and peaceful, exactly as he would have wanted. Our vet came in the morning and gave him the final jabs and he slipped away. 

We were then helped greatly by MrsMY and husband Dominic who came around to lend a hand. Thank you both.

I think most of us who have pet animals know what we are going through. However, between the moments of sadness, the overwhelming thoughts are of all the great, funny, maddening, happy, frustrating, joyous times we had together. For today's photo have used one of Flash that appeared on Blip in 2012. It's how I remember him best and for all the sad and painful moments in the last few years, I rejoice and give thanks for him being part of my life.  A great loyal friend and a Gentleman to the very end.

You gave me love and helped me find the sun
And every time that I was down
You would always come around
And get my feet back on the ground

Today we had been planning for an early morning start to Angie's nephew's wedding in 200km distant Geisenfeld, due to start at 11:00 am. Tobi & his wife Ramona had previously invited the dogs, knowing we couldn't leave Flash alone at home but for the last few days we had been dreading the event - from the dog's point of view. Flash has to always "check and control" the company he is in and with 160 odd guests, he was not going to get a second's rest. I think he had picked up the vibes and didn't want us to suffer.

We finally made the decision that we would still go to the wedding and having said our final farewells to Flash, we did manage to get to see the last 10 minutes of the church service.

Standing right at the back of the church, we watched the couple walk past us to the exit -  Tobi spotted Angie and seemed to shed a tear. He had been told, before the church service, why we hadn't made the initial reception. He has known and played with Flash during all of the last 15 years and also has a dog. Despite it being his and Ramona's BIG DAY, they were full of hugs and words of sympathy.

I am going to cheat somewhat and will describe the wonderful wedding on tomorrow's (Sunday) Blip. But as an extra, the view we had in the church when we arrived. Angie on right with the green jacket and a comforting arm around her from the lovely Azra who is destined to become younger nephew Stefan's wife - this week they signed off on the purchase of a flat in Munich. Stefan was his brother's best man today.