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Lisa Drew

Member
Hello, new here and just wanted to introduce myself. My name is Lisa and I am a Mastiff lover! Sadly, we just had our English Mastiff (11 yrs old) put to sleep last week and I am heart broken :( . Not ready for another just yet but will definitely have another Mastiff or large breed. They are such a part of the family and I am feeling so lost without him. I work in a dog friendly pub and someone brought a Mastiff cross in this week and apologized about the slober, lol, but I was thrilled and told him it was no bother at all. I look forward to meeting everyone and having another gentle giant when we are ready.
 

Nik

Well-Known Member
Hi Lisa! Welcome to the group! I am so sorry for your loss. It is one of the most difficult things in the world to say goodbye to them.
When/if you are up to it please feel free to share stories and photos of your EM. <3
 

DennasMom

Well-Known Member
Welcome!
Sorry to hear about your loss. Glad you had 11 years with your pup, even knowing it's never long enough.

I'd love to hear stories about your pup and see some pictures - if you'd like to share. I personally find it therapeutic to go back through all the good memories.
 

Lisa Drew

Member
Thank you both. His name was Garm, which was the name of the hound that guarded the gates to hell, which is so funny because he was a big old softy who would not hurt a fly, lol. We bought him from a breeder who told us "He is the last of the litter of 12 and been past over because he doesn't seem to bright". I knew right away he was my dog, lol. He was so silly and happy! I had just moved over to the UK from the US (my husband is British) and was so lost, lol. This puppy saved my sanity and filled the lonely hours (husband worked 12 hour shifts). I was familiar with large breeds as I bred Rotties in the states, but was in no way prepared as this boy began to grow...and grow....and GROW! LOL. He loved everyone he met and covered them with slobbers! I learned really fast you cannot be "house proud" and own a Mastiff, lol. When I walked him sometimes people crossed the street because of his sheer size, lol, not knowing that the worst he would do was ruin their clothes with slobber, lol. His heart was as big as he was and he was a joy to be around. I miss him so much and this house seems so empty. I know he had a wonderful, full life and we are blessed to have had him 11 wonderful years. We had gone back and fourth to the vets with him these past 6 months, his arthritis had began to worsen and he was not getting relief from pain with the medicine he was on and I knew it was time. We have a wonderful vet who came to our home, so he had his final moments in his bed, in his house. She asked me if I wanted to be in the room when she gave him the "needle" and of course I did. I held him and talked to him as he took his last breath and although my heart was breaking, I will never regret those final moments as he slipped peacefully away from us. I have learned that there is no love greater than that of a dog or for a dog. I can still smile through the tears when I think of him and everything he brought into our lives.
 

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Elana P

Well-Known Member
Thank you both. His name was Garm, which was the name of the hound that guarded the gates to hell, which is so funny because he was a big old softy who would not hurt a fly, lol. We bought him from a breeder who told us "He is the last of the litter of 12 and been past over because he doesn't seem to bright". I knew right away he was my dog, lol. He was so silly and happy! I had just moved over to the UK from the US (my husband is British) and was so lost, lol. This puppy saved my sanity and filled the lonely hours (husband worked 12 hour shifts). I was familiar with large breeds as I bred Rotties in the states, but was in no way prepared as this boy began to grow...and grow....and GROW! LOL. He loved everyone he met and covered them with slobbers! I learned really fast you cannot be "house proud" and own a Mastiff, lol. When I walked him sometimes people crossed the street because of his sheer size, lol, not knowing that the worst he would do was ruin their clothes with slobber, lol. His heart was as big as he was and he was a joy to be around. I miss him so much and this house seems so empty. I know he had a wonderful, full life and we are blessed to have had him 11 wonderful years. We had gone back and fourth to the vets with him these past 6 months, his arthritis had began to worsen and he was not getting relief from pain with the medicine he was on and I knew it was time. We have a wonderful vet who came to our home, so he had his final moments in his bed, in his house. She asked me if I wanted to be in the room when she gave him the "needle" and of course I did. I held him and talked to him as he took his last breath and although my heart was breaking, I will never regret those final moments as he slipped peacefully away from us. I have learned that there is no love greater than that of a dog or for a dog. I can still smile through the tears when I think of him and everything he brought into our lives.
 

Elana P

Well-Known Member
What a beautiful boy....

So sorry for your loss, hugs winging their way across the miles.
It's one of those things that never gets any easier, no matter how many times you go through with it.

Allow yourself time to grieve, and to remember all the good days, the funny days, the slobbery days....:p

Then go out there and get yourself that special Pup, that will fill your days with laughter and hair pulling frustration, lol. There is no better medicine for an aching heart than a Puppy.
 

Boxergirl

Well-Known Member
Lisa, hi! I'm so very sorry for your loss. Garm was a beautiful boy. I hope you stick around and share some stories and offer insight from your 11 years of experience. We're very glad to have you here.
 

trevordj

Well-Known Member
Garm is beautiful (I can't refer to dogs who have passed in the past tense he IS beautiful). I am so sorry for your loss. Almost one year ago now, the loss of my bulldog brought me to this forum. I learned that you really owe it to yourself to give yourself time and, when it is right you will know. You will find that new companion but he won't be the same, and that's what is great! You will discover new goofy idiosyncrasies that will make you love a new dog for who he is. The things that you will always miss about Garm are the things that make him unique and special.
 

Lisa Drew

Member
Thank you all for your kind words of encouragement. And yes, he IS beautiful. I picked up his ashes this week and I know this is gonna sound weird, but, I feel like he is finally home. It is somehow a comfort knowing he is where he is supposed to be. I thought it was going to be morbid and at first told the vets office I didn't want the ashes back. They phoned to say he was there and I was so glad. I am beginning to remember the good things now and not so much the day he left us. We are even talking about another dog after the first of the year....we will see. I want to wait until I can give another one the love they deserve without comparing or feeling resentful that they are not Garm, make any sense? Again, thank you so much. It helps to share my grief with others who understand what I have lost.