I want to thank you all for your incredibly kind words about my dog. They helped me get through the night.
Please don't feel compelled to respond here...I wanted to do a separate OP for this. Your responses in my other OP are more than enough.
Jona passed this morning at the vet's office.
My wife and I sat side-by-side on a couch while the vet administered the drugs. His butt was on my wife's lap, and his head was on my lap. He passed as I rubbed his face. He always loved to have his face rubbed, and he would let me do it for hours.
This boy was so special. I used to love taking him to the park for long walks. The park was a good 20 to 25 minute drive from my house, and he knew when we were getting close to the house when we drove home. About a mile away from our house, he would start to get excited. Then, about 100 yards away from the turn down my street, I would, with extreme exaggeration, say "JONA, THIS IS OUR STREET"! and he would start to howl with glee.
Every time I saw him, I would shake my finger at him and mock scold him, saying "You're going to get it"! And his face would relax and he would give me that "dog smile".
You're a good boy Jona. You always will be. I'll see you again pal.
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I know you understand.
I sobbed up until the time it was ready for him to go.
Well, I sobbed and laughed at the same time, apologizing to the vet for my reaction...but she assured me it was alright.
My wife was stoic, until we walked to the car, and then it hit her hard.
I can only hope that your Jona is playing with my Lily ... sometimes I just think I'm Mr. Bogjangles, cuz after 15 years I still grieve (actually, it has only been 6, but I miss her every day)
Treasure those memories
Now I'm crying ... and I can understand why this was so difficult for you. You'll always have him in your heart ... but for now he has crossed over the Rainbow Bridge.
may your memories keep you!
I am ugly crying now. I am so so sorry your wife & your hearts are broken, but I am so so glad Jona knew love.
Just out of human sight
I'm so sorry for your losses.
That is an incredible picture...is that one of your pups?
Please don't cry...I'm doing enough for the both of us. This is hitting incredibly hard. I don't like it.
The photographer said it was taken while they were on a train in Scotland, sheer luck they saw the dog on that peak, just looking into the mist. It is so evocative.
What a precious, precious dog. Honestly, this brought me to tears. Not long after I read your post yesterday, my husband got back from the vet with our beloved rescue dog, Dickens. We learned that he has kidney/renal failure and has at best six months to live. I absolutely collapsed sobbing and my husband had to hold me up. Dickens is the sweetest, most affectionate dog. Every day is a gift.
Please know you and your wife are with me in thoughts, healing vibes, and yes, prayers. I know all too well what you are going through having lost several much-loved dogs. Their love is unconditional and never ending.
If there is a kind, benevolent being in the universe, you will see your sweet Jona again. In the meantime, I hope he is frolicking with my Henry and Nathaniel at the Rainbow Bridge.
I'll try to give you some encouragement...
Jona was diagnosed with bladder cancer one year ago. We chose not to treat him. He was given several weeks to live, because the vet predicted a blocked urinary flow shortly. He surprised us and lasted one year instead of several weeks.
Renal failure can be like that too. There's a good chance that he could beat that 6 months by a substantial period of time.
I appreciate your kind words. You hang in there...it might go better than you think it will. One day at a time.
Your kind words are appreciated.
I am so sorry for your loss, Lucky.
And yes, my dogs always remain "pups" in my mind. All 16 of them.
I'm a dyed-in-the-wool dog person. Always have been, always will be, and I'm damned proud of that.
You sound the same way, Lucky. 
Last edited Tue Jun 30, 2026, 11:54 PM - Edit history (1)
Jona lives on as long as you’re alive to think about him.
My sweet girl of 15 years passed in a very similar way last August, and I still weep at her memory, or when I am reminded of the sadness of losing her in my arms that day. Your sweet memories of Jona touch me, and I weep with you.
I very recently endured another very deep and personal loss. It has reminded me how inescapable grief is, if we choose to give our love. Someone close to me shared an ancient poem with me, to help me find some comfort in my grief. I'd like to share it with you, in hopes that you too might find some comfort from it...
Ezkerah - These We Remember
'Tis a fearful thing
To love
What death can touch.
To love, to hope, to dream,
And oh, to lose.
A thing for fools, this,
Love,
But a holy thing,
To love what death can touch.
For your life has lived in me;
Your laugh once lifted me;
Your word was a gift to me;
To remember this brings painful joy.
'Tis a human thing, love,
A holy thing,
To love What death can touch.
—Judah Halevi or Emanuel of Rome; 12th Cent.
I feel your pain, brother. You are not alone.
I'm so glad you, your wife, and Jona had each other to love. My deepest condolences on your
loss. I will be thinking of you and your wife. Love and light to you both.
These stories always remind me of my own babies dying. I need to get another tissue, I can't handle this. I'm a very emotional person and our babies are 100% unconditional love.
Look at those eyes!!!
Actually, there's a bunch of members here that love you.
Cross gently, Jona.
