I never in my life thought about owning a Saint Bernard. They just weren’t on my radar, just like Michigan was never there for me to live.
One day, while working at my first job in South Carolina, a local dairy farmer brought in a new born puppy. She owned a dairy and had a very small Saint Bernard breeding kennel on the side. Her bitch had just whelped and had killed all but two of the puppies and had mangled one of those puppies’ back legs. At first, it appeared as just a puncture on the out side of the hind leg. We cleaned it and sent home antibiotics.
The next day, the farmer brought the puppy back in. The leg wound was now bigger, draining pus, and the foot was stiff and cold. We gave the puppy a guarded to poor prognosis with infection set in and a dead leg in a newborn, frail baby. The farmer, with all of her responsibilities as a dairy woman, did not have the time to dedicate to this sickly puppy. She decided it would be best for him to euthanize as he was not getting better.
I looked down at this beautiful, perfect except for a mangled rear leg, and could not picture myself sticking his tiny heart with a needle and then tossing him in the freezer where we kept dead animals. Now, at this point, I was just exiting my first trimester of my very first pregnancy (with India). We had just moved to this town, not 5 months ago, we were renting, and already had 2 dogs, 2 cats, and 2 horses. I was absolutely not in the right place to even think about taking on a new dog, let alone one that would need intensive care for 5 weeks and would grow to over 100lb. I talked it over with my best friend working there with me, Kim, and she encouraged me to take on this (currently) 1lb project.
I talked to the farmer about surrendering him and letting us try to amputate the leg and save him. She was in tears. She was a tough woman, running a dairy farm, but she had a fantastic heart. She was so upset that she was going to put him to sleep, but was thankful that we would at least give him a chance. I had him signed over and was now the owner of a very sickly infant St. Bernard. What had I done? What was Tony going to say when I came home? I knew he would understand. He knows who he married, but he would likely shake his head a little.
I brought him home, honestly under the impression that even if he survived to, and then through surgery, that he would likely die sometime after from infection, or fading puppy syndrome. I had 0-0.5 hope of his survival (#naturalpessimist), but I had to try.
The next day, we were to do the surgery. I had to meet my boss at a dairy to continue to learn how to efficiently palpate cattle for pregnancy. I went over and over the surgery in my head. Finally, we were done palpating cows and I would drive to the clinic to cut on this three day old puppy. We put him under with just some valium and then masked with gas. There were three people gathered around this 1 lb patient. Kim, our assistant, the other Dr. at the clinic running/monitoring anesthesia, and me, carving on what felt like a chicken wing from KFC. I dissected down to the femur, at some point severing the femoral artery that was so small, it never bled. I used a heavy pair of surgical scissors called Mayo scissors to score a shallow cut around the bone, like a glass cutter, then the bone broke easily in half.
I, then filed the end of the bone so it wouldn’t be rough on the muscles, closed the muscles around the tip of the bone, and finally, closed the skin over the muscle. Whew! We were done! We took him off of gas, and put him on oxygen only and waited for him to wake up. And we waited. And waited. He wasn’t waking up. That’s it, I knew this was stupid, but at least we tried, right? Then, the doctor helping me got some injectable dextrose and just put a couple of drops in his mouth. He woke up! Thankfully, she was able to keep her calm and remembered that neonatal patients will get hypoglycemic under anesthesia.
We took the puppy home, now named “Doomed puppy” because of my pessimism and superstition all rolled into one. We had to bottle feed him. The little bottle that came with the formula had a nipple that was way too small for his mouth. We ended up having to get a soda bottle and put the smallest goat nipple we could find on it. We also had to stimulate him to pee and poop until he was a certain age. He slept in a cardboard box on a heating pad in our bathroom for the first few days of his life and came with me everyday to work. We had to set alarms to get up every few hours to feed him.
One weekend we were travelling back to Georgia to announce my pregnancy to the families. We would take our dogs with us when we travelled and had the two big dogs in the backseat with the box of puppy in the back as well. He was about 2lbs at this point. Along the way, we stopped at Subway to get dinner but didn’t want to leave the puppy in the car alone with the two dog aggressive dogs, so I picked him up and placed him in an inside pocket in my coat and carried him inside. The workers there never knew I had a Saint Bernard in my coat pocket.
Eventually, we settled on a name “Merlin” and he continued to live in our bathroom, he particularly loved the bath tub. Every night, when it was bed time, he would just shuffle into the bathroom and lop himself into the bathtub to sleep. Having only had three legs his whole life, we always just figured that he would have no trouble learning to walk with three legs. Just like four-legged dogs who get an amputation later in life seem to do just fine, and to “not miss a step,” we thought that he would have even less trouble learning the ways. We were wrong.
Having basically been born with just the three legs and having never learned to walk properly, he would just scramble. He would pull his body along with his front legs and kind of paddle with his one hind leg. Thanks to the advice from my friend, Kim, we sought a Veterinary specialist in rehabilitation in Columbia, SC. She was able to make some chiropractic adjustments, and fit him for a cart for us to borrow. He hated that cart. We would harness him up and he would freak out and run around the room, getting caught on furniture and knocking over everything. We were finally able to harness him up and take him on walks in the neighborhood. It took a lot of practice, and he grew quickly and eventually had to return the cart, but by then, he had learned better how to get up on that back leg.
He eventually got along on that back leg like it was nothing. We couldn’t take him on long hikes and I could only take him on a 1 mile “warm up walk” before my run so that he got to feel like he was part of the pack too, but he also loved to play tug-of-war – which is typically not recommended for pets because it can make them think everything is a game when you’re trying to take things from them – but this was his main method of exercising, and I could just tell him to drop it and it was over.
He loved vegetables, fruit, tissues, and baby socks. He would wait in the kitchen while I cooked, waiting eagerly for kale stems, carrot ends, strawberry leaves; would follow the kids around or sit next to me while strings of drool hung at his lips if we dared to eat an apple around him. He EXPECTED the core. He would run outside and help the horses eat watermelon rinds or try to find the scattered sweet potato skins I had just thrown out for the deer. If you left a paper towel or tissue within reach, he would stalk it because he knew he would get into trouble for eating it and the moment we weren’t paying attention, he would suck that thing down like it was a piece of cotton candy. Even when the kids were babies and we were in a complete state of chaos, if we forgot to close the baby wipes when we were done, you would catch him sucking each one down as it pulled up the next – like his own tissue Pez dispenser. His love of baby/kids socks got him in trouble too. We would constantly have to go out and buy more to make up for his dietary needs. Our kids were so trained not to leave their socks on the floor downstairs that if we went and visited another person’s house, our kids would come up to us and ask us where they could safely put their socks. Between the tissue diet and socks he consumed, once spring rolled around and we mowed the lawn for the first time the mower would spray our yard with confetti of tissue pieces and colorful sock remnants.
As Merlin got older, he would go through phases where he couldn’t walk as well anymore. Most of the time, he responded to pain medication, time, or a chiropractor adjustment. I took an x-ray of his hips to see the horror that I was afraid of. His only hind leg he had was suffering from horrible hip dysplasia. I knew, even though we were very diligent about keeping his weight down, at 120lb, it was still only a matter of time before he completely tore his cruciate ligaments in his only knee and then it would be done. He was definitely MY dog. Tony would tell me that if I wasn’t home, Merlin would just lay in the corner of the dining room all day, not moving even to go outside. He did NOT appreciate the kids and as he got older, he only became more cranky with them, especially when they got crazy silly.
This past fall, he started having trouble walking again. We knew, at almost 9 years old, anytime could be his last. He was no longer getting up on his back leg anymore and would just scramble along the wooden floors. We would assist him outside and, at first, he would get up on the leg to go to the bathroom. We had him on three different pain medications, joint supplements he had been on his whole life plus a few more, got him some fancy Dr. Buzby’s toe grips, a Help ’em up harness, but still he dragged that stump around. Eventually, he stopped eating as much and the stump became raw and bloody. We had smears of bloody trails across our floors where he had needed to be with me. I altered his harness to pad the stump, but it wouldn’t stay where it needed to. I brought home an “After surgery wear” from work and altered that to pad his stump. That seemed to work better.
I had been avoiding it. I was in denial. When he would use every last bit of energy in his painful body to get to where ever I was in the house, I just knew he depended on me, how could I let him down? But finally, I stayed outside to watch him go to the bathroom, because now he was soaking his after-surgery wear every time he peed. To my horror, and with tears running down my face, I saw him drag himself to a spot and just sit and pee all over himself. Then, he dragged himself to another spot and pooped while sitting, only swinging his rear away to keep the poop from sticking to him. I knew it was time.
The final day, he was so excited to get to go in the car with us, as that was a rare occurrence for him. We were feeding him Milkbones like he was starving and he just thought that was the best. My mother even met us at the clinic and brought him a porkchop wrapped in a paper towel. He chomped that down too, paper towel and all. He was just having the best day! Of course, it took me and Tony to get him out of the car and into the clinic to our euthanasia room. He required a sling to hold his hind end up. But he just dragged us in, found the few people working after-hours, his tail just flagging like the happiest pup. We finally got him to the euth room and he stumbled and collapsed on the floor. Tired, from all his happiness. I gave him the sedation, then cuddled his giant bear head in my lap as the final injection was given. He was only 3 days old when I decided it wasn’t his time to go to the freezer and even though I had given him 3,200 more days of pure love, it still felt like I had abandoned him as we gently lowered his body, finally, into the freezer.
Bye buddy.
Oh my Emily , what a beautiful tribute to his life. He had a big heart filled with love . I feel blessed to have been part of his story . I loved that big dog . Love you .
you were both blessed
What a wonderful story of his life. I ended up crying at the end. What a beautiful animal and a lovely life he had. So glad you saved him those years ago. I was wondering if he couldn’t be euthanized at your home surrounded by you, Tony and the children? Is this allowed? This is what I would love for my sweet dogs when or if the time comes.
Crying, wow. You are stronger than I. So much heart.
Oh Emily, I am so sorry that it was Merlin’s time to journey to the Rainbow Bridge. He was such a lucky boy to have found a loving home with you, and it sounds like he had a wonderful, full life. No matter how long we have with our animal companions, it is never long enough. My condolences to you and Tony and your children on your loss.
Tears were rolling down my face as I read your tribute to Merlin. I am so sorry for your loss. What a wonderful life he had with your family. Cherish your many memories of him. (hugs)
Beautifully done, Dr. Emily. Thank you for sharing Merlin’s story. I knew you had a great heart, but your overwhelming love of Merlin fills my heart. He’ll be waiting for you . . . tail wagging and whole.
Hugs to you, Dr Emily! It’s never an easy decision, but Merlin is happy and without pain being able to run on all 4 legs–something he could never do in life. Rejoice in the fact that you gave him a life he was never going to have. You will see him again someday!
S sorry Dr. Emily. I know how you feel as I had to put a Great Dane to his final day as well. I am 65 yo and cried for days afterwards. Our pets are never just pets as they are family members. I wish you, Tony & your children save Merlin’s memories and help it to ease your pain. God speed.
I am so very sorry for your loss…you gave Merlin such a wonderful life and he is no longer in pain…he was truly a beautiful dog..xoxo
My wife and I used to have Newfies. When we had to put the second one down, that was it. We cried for hours. We were much older then and recognized we couldn’t have another big dog. We asked our vet if there was a smaller dog with a Newfie personality. He slowly shook head and told us big dogs have personalities unique to them. Though we looked it was tried it was no use. We have now been dog-less for almost 20 years. I’m 76 and starting finally to look for another dog. A small standard poodle maybe? I totally get the grief of your loss with Merlin.
I’m so sorry you had to send your Newfie’s over the Rainbow Bridge. My sister just had to
Do the same, for the 2nd time, also. Newfoundland’s are wonderful dogs!
I have an F1 black standard golden doodle, from a local breeder. At 4, he has 2 speeds. Zoom, and couch potato. He’s so smart, learns command fast, thinks everyone was put in the planet for him to play with, adore, and be petted by. He’s got that big dog bark, which would scare off anyone up to no good, but would likely follow any burgler around the house, with his squeaky ball, begging for a game of fetch. He’s so affectionate, eats practically anything except lettuce ( how does a dog love veggies and fruits, but hate lettuce?), and if he were a horse, I’d call him an easy keeper. He’s become my best friend. I think he is so like my sister’s two Newfie’s, except for 2 things. No drool strings, and he’s got more energy outside.
I love this hybrid. Temperamentally, I think Teddy is closer to poodle than retriever. He’s the smartest dog I’ve ever seen, he’s a lovey dovey, he loves the outdoors, loves chasing those carnivorous bunnies and squirrels out of the yard, ( I really think he’d make a great bird dog, his dad ,is now retired from breeding, neutered, and a hunting dog for his new owner), loves to swim. He loves to walk with me, on leash or not. He also has never shown aggression towards anyone, or any other dog.
I really think I’m sticking with doodles.
I am so, so sorry!!! I have lost many animals, but have only been able to stay with the last two as we put them down. Well, one we put down, the other died while in the office. My tears flowed just as much for them as they did while reading your story about Merlin. I thought I knew the story about Merlin, but I didn’t know the whole story. You will see him again at Rainbow Bridge. He is whole again!!!!
Our pets are family & the grief we feel is no less than when losing a human family member. Although it seems you just delayed the inevitable for a few years, what wonderful memories you all had! 💕
Such a sweet boy. It was time to let him cross the rainbow bridge ❤️
I’m so sorry 💔
Such a handsome guy 💙 he was blessed to have you and Tony
I just had to share this on Facebook. Merlin was a beautiful dog. His coloring was stunning. I’m so glad you decided to be his guardian angel. ❤❤
My heart goes out to you, Dr. Emily. You gave him a good life and it took a lot of courage to let him go. God bless you, girl. 💕💕
Oh Emily I’m so sorry you had to go through that. You have happy memories to think about now. I’ve been in that position more times than I care to think about and I still have my moments but I also have good memories to keep me going. RIP Merlin ! ❤
Doc.. that’s why you and your family are so special and you are needed in this world. You don’t give up. You try. You gave that poor lil pup hope. Have him the best life you could and be proud of that.. i am thankful for you guys and grateful you and others out there are like this.. Thank you for you, Tony, and your family…
What a beautiful love story – he luckily found the perfect “dog mom” and lived an amazing life. In the end you were able to do what was right for him even though it broke your heart – I’ve been there a few times and know how heart wrenching it is. Hugs you you and to Merlin who,
I’m sure, will be waiting for you at the Rainbow Bridge❤️
💔 😭
I know you have heard this many, many times already but I am heartbroken for your loss. So very sorry! You gave him a bonus life and he enriched yours in return. You will forever remember Merlin. Hang in there.
You’re such a beautiful soul. Thank you for sharing and giving Merlin the best life full of love! I have a dog with diabetes , 9 1/2 years now on insulin . I know first hand how it is to care for a dog that dosnt want to give up so we can’t give up either . Miss seeing you on Tv but so happy to connect through your blogs. You have the biggest heart ❤️
Thank you for this lovely story!
Merlin was amazing and so are you. God bless you sweet girl.
So very sorry.
So sorry… But you gave him the BEST life, full of love! Of course you’re sad, but also be happy knowing that you had him in your lives and loved him so much.
It is so hard to let them go, but you did what was best for him. He thanks you.
😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖
I am just so sorry. They are never here long enough. ‘Til you see him again.
I am so sorry for your loss.
So sorry for you loss. You really did an amazing job keeping him healthy and happy for so long.
I’m sitting here ugly crying and thanking God Merlin had you to give him a life full of love and care! Thank you!
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
I have a 15 year old GSD that I will be saying goodbye to soon. It is so hard. Thank you for sharing Merlin’s story and giving him such a wonderful life.
So sorry for your loss. Thanks for sharing his life with us.
We had to say goodbye to 2 of our dogs last month. It is so hard to make that decision and I put it off as long as I could. Now I have 2 bottle puppies that are 10 months old, got them at a day old. So sorry for your loss.
My heart breaks for you. Thank you for the love and life you gave to your magnificent Merlin.
losing a family member is never easy.
Oh what a life your family gave to Merlin! He loved and protected you all with his whole heart! I hope that enjoys the other side of the rainbow bridge! And I hope you find comfort in knowing that you gave him the best life ever!
sooo sorry for your loss! 🙁
So sorry for your loss. It is hard to say goodbye.
Bless you
So sorry, what a handsome boy.
So sorry. Dr. Emily. It’s so hard to lose a pet. especially one whom you had given so much love and extraordinary care. Bless you.
Thank you for sharing Merlin’s blessed life with us …. I was afraid to read the blog (because I knew I would cry), but your writing is so engaging! I am so sorry for your and your your family’s loss.
God Bless
Dr Emily you an amazing person to care enough about that puppy to take him home and give him the best life possible. We’ve had to put down a few dogs over the the years and it was always a sad, tragic day for us, just as losing our dogs to age was tragic. I sat here and cried as much for your Merlin as I did for each of my dogs that have passed on. God bless you Dr Emily and may you always think of Merlin as a beautiful light in your life.
Dr Emily, so sorry to hear of your loss. We are never ready for it tho we know it is inevitable. You and your dear hubby and kids did your best and gave him so many happy years of love. God bless your sweet hearts for this. I believe we will see our furry loved ones again in Heaven. Love you and your posts.
I’m so sorry Emily and Thomas family. You gave him a wonderful life and should not feel bad for ending his suffering. Peace be with Merlin and you.
I am 75 years old and have had many pets (cats and dogs) through out my life and it is one of the hardest and heart wrenching things I have had to do is to make the decision that it’s time. And as I get older and my human friends depart my pets become my best and only close friends. Saying that finale goodbye does not get easier but just the opposite. I am so sorry for you Dr. Emily, losing such a great friend.
What a beautiful story. Rest in peace Merlin. What a life well lived.
I’m so glad this little hurting doggo thrived under your love and care. I can see that Merlin loved you so much. I know he understood how much you loved him. Dogs and so many other animals understand much more about us, than we give them credit for.
I’m so sorry for you, Tony, and the kids. I know you’re missing him horrible. I hope that about now, you’re all thinking about all the live Merlin showed you, how he persevered, the goofy things he did that made you laugh ( I personally think dogs know when things about them are getting too serious, and do something goofy to make people laugh).
It’s so hard to say goodbye 😢. Sending big hugs
Thank you for sharing Merlins story and the sweet photos. It is so easy to embrace them in our hearts and so very sad to let them go. May you find comfort when you treasure the memories and share the stories to plug the hole in your heart.
Dr Emily, I to love St Bernard’s was never able to own one though and I loved seeing Merlin on Dr Pohl and on your blog. You gave Merlin life, remember that. You gave him the best life and he knew all along it was you who saved him. I am also happy he finally was able to eat the pork chop bone and the paper wrapped in it. Again thank you
Thank you for sharing this beautiful story. All of us that have been where you were, having to make this decision grieve with you. You and Merlin were lucky to have each other to love.
What a beautiful love story – he luckily found the perfect “dog mom” and lived an amazing life. In the end you were able to do what was right for him even though it broke your heart – I’ve been there a few times and know how heart wrenching it is. Hugs you you and to Merlin who,
I’m sure, will be waiting for you at the Rainbow Bridge❤️
I’m so sorry for your loss. You gave him the best years of his life and I’m sure he will always remember your family for taking care of him. RIP Merlin and prayers and love to your family. 🙏🏻❤️
Emily,
I am sorry for your loss. I lost my 10 year-old Frenchie in December.
I know the pain you feel. Believe me, the heartache does fade and the wonderful memories will last forever.
😿😿😿😿
RIP AWESOME FURBABY
prayers for you & your family
Yes ,he really was ahandicapped dog.You all gave him so much love.You did the right thing .
Thank you for giving Merlin the best possible life. He will be missed, even by us on the outside looking in. RIP Merlin💜
My thoughts are with you during this time & always 💜
He was loved, and he knew it. You did perfectly by that big love. Peace to you.
I’m so sorry for your loss of your good buddy. We all know that endearing love from our animals and the unexpectedly great pain when we have to let them go.
Thank you for telling us about Merlin’s life. Im so sad that he’s gone. What a huge hole for you. I believe he’ll be waiting for you on the other side. Sending you lots of love.
I’m so, so sorry! 💔
Thank you for saving Merlin and giving him the best life he could have.
What a beautiful big teddy bear he was. 🐻
I’m glad he enjoyed his milk bones and porkchop dessert.
Thinking of you, feeling your heart. I have vivid memories of my last days with my pets, too.
RIP Merlin 💙
Emily, you gave Merlin a life he never would have had. It was so hard for you and your family to watch him fail but how lucky Merlin was that you recognized it and helped him to the Rainbow bridge.
I’m so sorry. I am right there with you. My 14-year-old wire-haired dachshund female, who I have had since birth (I owned her Mama) will be leaving this world soon. I try to make each day a good one for her. But this is so hard.
Bless you, for not giving up on that little puppy. It’s pretty obvious that he needed you both as much as you needed him.
My heart breaks for you
I know what it is like to lose a loved furry friend, 5 years ago this past November our beloved Taz (a Boxer/Lab Mix) crossed the rainbow bridge into doggie heaven, not a day goes by where we aren’t thinking about him so I feel your pain.
One of the toughest days in a pet owners life is the one when you have to say good bye . Knowing that it’s the best choice for the animal doesn’t make it any easier.
Deepest sympathies on the loss of your sweet boy.
Big heavy tears are running now over my face . Every time I have to let a pat go I swear this is the last one…I am 72 now and never learn my lesson…(of course I have one now avery old smelly lazy cat…
Dear Emily, Im so, so sorry for your loss. Merlin was na handsome boy with a personality as big as he was! The love be-tween you and Merlin was special. His heart Was all about loving you Emily. What a wonderful gift. And you gave him a beautiful life with Tony and the kids. Thank you Emily for sharing his story. I am currently the owner of a much loved St Bernard. My beautiful girl is 10 years old and has elbow and hip dysplasia. That said we are enjoying her each day knowing that we are lucky to have her here with us. She struggles a bit but she is maybe one of the happiest dogs I’ve ever known. When things change I will make sure be right there to send her off. She will take a small piece of my heart with her but I (like you, Emily) have a lifetime of love and laughter to remember.
Oh, Merlin, you good boy. Your story touched my heart and I never even knew you. I am so happy that you got to live a life full of love and that you were treasured to the very last minute. Blessings to your beautiful family.
❤️❤️❤️
Thank you Emily for sharing your life journey with Merlin. He was a very special puppy from the beginning-you made sure of that. I am so sorry and so saddened for your loss though, I know how much it hurts to say good-bye to your furry friends. Take care; sending you big hugs. You will see him again some day.
Awww Emily… I’m so sorry for your family’s loss of this big, beautiful baby😢😢You all gave him the very best life & he loved you all very much for that. God bless you all. May Merlin RIP Always ♥️🙏🏽♥️🙏🏽
I loved learning about Merlin’s life. Thank you. My heart breaks for you. I’ve had that experience and know the heartbreak you are feeling. I’ll keep you all in my prayers. Hugs.
I was brought to tears by your beautiful tribute. So sorry for your loss.
You gave him the only chance he had and a wonderful life. So sad they can’t live as long as we do. So hard to lose that love. Very sorry, Emily.
THank you for taking care of him with such love, he had a good life.
So sorry to hear of your loss. I lost my GSD last feb to old age and am not going through it again, not a year later, with my GS mix so I feel your pain. You gave him a life that he would never have got anywhere else and for that you should feel proud! RIP old fella, my girls are waiting for you!
Our pets usually teach us something about ourselves. What would you say your relationship with Merlin taught you?
I loved your story.
So sorry for your loss, Emily. I know how hard it is to put a pet down, but Merlin was a special case. Accept my sincere sympathy.
So sorry for your loss . Losing a pet is losing an important family member . A pain that never goes away . Prayers for you and your family . 💔🙏🏻
Thank you for the story of Merlin. I wondered what had happened.
So, so sorry. He sounds like he had a great life and lots of love.
Aww Dr. Emily, I usually avoid stories that I know will make me cry, but I had to read this one as a sort of honor and respect to you and your Big Boy. There just never is a enough time with them and there never is a good day to say goodbye. Peace.
Brenda
So very sorry for your loss. I know what it’s like to say goodbye to a beloved dog who’s in pain…but their tail is still wagging. My prayers are with you and your family.
I’m so sorry Emily. I know how hard it is to say goodbye. Each time I lose a pet it gets harder and harder. They take a piece of our hearts with them. You saved his life and in turn he gave you a lifetime of precious memories to always have. I have been 4 years without a dog. I had never lived without one since I was a little girl. I don’t know if I can say goodbye to another pet. Merlin was a beautiful, smart dog who was lucky to have you as his owners. Hugs to you all!!
Beautifully said. Thank you for the life you gave him… made me 😢
Lost my beloved Aussie Panda in October after 10 years quite unexpectedly. Wished I could have been there as she moved on as I was for the others. Those minutes to hold them and bless them on are precious if so very painful. You and Merlin had a special bond. My heart aches for you and your family on the loss.
What a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing.
St Bernard’s have big bodies to hold their hearts. You gave him the best life a dog could have.
I’m so very sorry. RIP Merlin, the best boy.
Prayers for all of you. It is never easy to put a beloved pet down. I am so sorry for your loss. You wrote a loving and wonderful tribute about Merlin. Every person who has ever owned an animal, who at some point had to be put down, will relate to this.
I cried too! We love you and your family! Thank You for all you did for Merlin!!
So sorry. However those big eyes look to us trusting that we know what to do. We had to let our sweet Labrador Dolly go two and a half years ago. We waited until now to get another lab. We were heart broken and not ready until now. Eight week old puppy. Oye. We love her.
Just beautiful ❤️! You gave him life when it was not possible and allowed him to die peacefully. All with love. 💞 Thank you for sharing this story.
That was a beautiful tribute to an (obviously) well loved member of the family! You gave him so many years of happiness he never would have had. You were lucky to have had each other. So sorry for your loss.
Thank you for sharing Merlin’s story.
What a memory! It is so very hard to let our beloved pets go isn’t it? This brought me to tears, remembering every one of my dogs that we had to say good bye to. He was a beautiful dog, glad you got some good pictures. Bless you for taking care of him for all those 9 years. I’m sure it was worth every minute. Good job
“Be thou comforted, little dog. Thou too in Resurrection shall have a little golden tail.”–Martin Luther <3
Tony, Emily and kids, I am so sorry for your loss of Mer-man. I had tears as I read your post. I have had to say good bye to a few of my doggy buddies and a few of my horse buddies and of course my kitty buddies. It is never easy but it is the last kind thing we can do for them. Rest easy Mer-man
Dear Emily and family, I know how how hard it was to not only have to release Merlin from his suffering but also to share his story with all of us. You have a heart of gold for not only giving him a chance at life but for all that you did for him throughout his life. Thank you for all that you do for all of the animals you have helped in your career as a vet. Many hugs to you and your family
I am so sorry for your loss
so sorry for your loss, but that was a wonderful tribute for that big puppy ❤
Wonderful story of Merlin and a great tribute. Last December 3rd we had to let our Jerze go. She was a Lab/Coonhound cross and the best dog you could ask for. The bathtub part of the story made me think of Jerze. That’s where she’d go when she was scared of the Midwest storms.
I miss see you and Dr. Pol but you gotta take of you and yours. I don’t blame you a bit. Take care and I’ll have to follow your blog. You’re a jewel!! Thanks!
I understand. My dorkie passed away right after Christmas and it broke my heart. We had her since she was 8 weeks old and she was 13 years 3 months old. It is so hard to let them go.They are part of the family. I’ll never understand how people can mistreat animals. Dogs are so loving and loyal. And your friend forever.
Oh, Emily, how I cried reading the end of the story. It was time, but oh, how hard it is to let them go! It was quite obvious how much he was loved and you, Tony and the kids gave him the best life he could have had. Thank you for sharing Merlin’s sweet, goofy story. He is waiting for you, his special Hooman, with his perfect, new body at the Rainbow Bridge.