Posted on by agilejack

Farewell Bender

I said my final farewell to Bender on Tuesday afternoon. The house is terribly quiet. Rico and I are sad.

Redsky Bender 4/9/13 – 12/9/25

He had gone downhill so quickly since his 12th birthday in April. He was almost totally deaf and blind. He had increasing dementia that was so puzzling to watch. He was more and more wobbly and fell down several times a day. I had to help him stand up pretty regularly.

Bender was the happiest dog I’ve ever owned. Absolutely nothing phased him. Throughout his life with epilepsy, he never let it bother him. He never let it negatively affect him. I was the one who carried that burden. But his refusal to be affected by it helped me deal with it as well.

He was also the most photogenic dog on earth. He really never took a bad photo.

I knew this time was coming. When my friends saw him at Thanksgiving after not seeing him for 8 months, all three of them said, “Anne, it’s time to let him go.”

On Tuesday he told me it was time. I called the vet with tears in my eyes and asked if they could get him in. They had an opening. We had a couple hours to cuddle on the sofa, eat lots of cheese and some ice cream, and just enjoy hour last moments together.

He loved al the attention he got at the vet. And the staff there was so amazing. I think that letting a pet go is a generous gift we can give them… a peaceful, dignified, quiet passing with their favorite people helping them on their journey.

It’s such a difficult deicision to make. But I know it was the right one.

211 Replies to “Farewell Bender”

  1. Bender is a beautiful dog and looks always so bright and perky in the photos. Your tribute brought tears to share with yours. It is just so hard to let them go because they love you so well. The pets are truly angels on this earth and they love so unconditionally. My sympathy to you and also wishes for Happy Holidays.

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  3. this makes me so sad, as I remember my heartbreak after losing my past two dogs.You’ve been thru this before, but we love our dogs so much, they are such a big part of our lives everyday. He was blessed to be

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  6. I have been reading your blog for a few years; loving your quilting , but also sharing your passion for your dogs. This post touched me deeply as I have had to say goodbye several times over the years to my devoted canine companions. You expressed your thought beautifully.

    Congratulations on your well deserved retirement.

    Thoughtfully yours,

    Leslie Beach

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    1. With tears in my eyes….I think you were so brave to give Bender his send off to Heaven……

      Dogs rule !! I thinke he is having a wonderful time up there ~~ ❤️

      http://www.avg.com/email-signature?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=webmail Virus-free.www.avg.com http://www.avg.com/email-signature?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=webmail <#DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2>

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  9. Oh Anne my heart breaks for you. Our furbabies are such a big part of our lives and you were so committed to making Benders  the best it could be. My Weiser is 13+ and the end is near, no more hikes or deep snow this winter. I know you have wonderful memories, keep th

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  12. I’m so sad for you, after you shared about Bender. I’ve had to put to sleep a cat ,and lost my dearest dog in a shocking way as covid broke out. Your last times together sounded precious..cheese and ice cream. I’d like that before I go. You don’t know me but I follow you. Marcia

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  13. it’s so true what you wrote. I know how this feels. I will soon have to make this call about my Lab who is declining. I love the illustration and will take it to heart. You are a wonderful dog owner and I wish you comfort from all the memories. Dear, dear Bender. Hugs.

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  14. Goodbye Bender, I shared a tear with Anne as she shared with her followers that she had let you pass where there is no pain. Anne will miss you but have wonderful memories of a precious, loving companion you have been. To Anne Arohanui, love from Denise in New Zealand. 💕

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  15. Goodbye Bender, I shared a tear with Anne as she shared with her followers that she had let you pass where there is no pain. Anne will miss you but have wonderful memories of a precious, loving companion you have been. To Anne Arohanui, love from Denise in New Zealand. 💕

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  20. Losing a beloved family member like beautiful smart Bender is heart wrenching. I’m glad he was surrounded by such great love and care. A couple years ago my son and d-i-l’s dog died of cancer. I found a picture frame that said: “Thanks for everything. I had a wonderful time” around the space for a photo. —Andrea, Vashon Island, WA

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  23. Anne,No matter how long they spend with us, it’s never long enough. You gave Bender the best possible gift; a life of love and care and walks and runs and cuddles. And, Rico of course.Bless you,Kate

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  26. I’m sorry for your loss. It seems like such an inadequate response but having also lost a beloved pet, I feel your grief. May you be blessed with the wonderful memories he’s left you with. He truly was a beautiful soul, inside and out. I will miss him with you.

    Blessings and hugs

    PJ Kytlica 805-660-4400

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  27. Thank you for sharing. I’m praying for you. I loved seeing pictures of Bender. Lots of love!

    -----------------------------------------

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  28. He was such a beautiful and goofy dog and my heart is hurting for you. Bender will always be with you in spirit and happy memories ❤️ So sorry for your loss.

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  32. My heart is breaking for you… 💔 I’m so very sorry… Thank-you for giving him the best life! He will live forever in your heart and in all the photos you posted of him!

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  35. Anne, I am so sorry for your loss of Bender. There is a huge hole in your heart but Nature abhors a vacuum and with time, that hole with fill with memories. I will soon face your decision with my 15 year old Gryffindor, beloved friend, therapy dog, crisis response dog, soulmate. Thank you for sharing a dog’s perspective; I will hold those words in my heart when our decision day comes.
    Ginger

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  37. So sorry to hear of your loss.  I always love reading your posts and especially enjoyed the pictures of your doggies!   Sue Dunlap

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  39. I’m so sorry Anne. I know you will miss Bender horribly. I still miss our toy Poodle, it’s been 10 years. Also had a himalayan cat that it’s been 30+ years. They are always in our heart.

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  43. Anne, my heart breaks for you. I have tears, too. These sweet creatures are our children who never grow up. I’m sending virtual hugs and also prayers for you. I am so sorry. ❤️

    Sandee Henricks ( devoted Frankenbag follower)

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  45. Bender always looked so happy. You gave him his best life. It’s crushing to let them go but you knew the right time. Hugs to you. And thanks for all of the Bender pup tales and photos. They always made me smile.

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  46. Godspeed Bender. You are a very special and well loved companion. Thanks for all of your good work with your human. You have returned to your maker, and you are safe now. You will be in many hearts and minds, for as long as your humans live. Once the tears recede, all that will remain is the love and the joy. Well done!

    To Bender’s human. I was given the divine gift of a Border Collie Corgi mix, who was a supreme being. I failed to recognize when it was her time. I fought with every ounce of my being, money, and intelligence to make her well, because I could not bring myself to still her heartbeat. She was my first dog companion as an adult, and she was my heart dog. She waited for me to be ready. Finally, I let myself see what she had been waiting for me to understand. * I have tried not to make that mistake again – but it is so tricky, because there will be good days that fake us out as human caregivers, giving us false hope. So they wait on us, they are patient, and the love is real. * I send you lots of love. I now promise each of my dogs when they first come into my life, that I will not make them wait, when they have told me they are ready to go. I now know that look they give us that says, “It’s time to return me to my creator.” * It requires great love not to be selfish and try to keep them with us, just one more day. I know that anguish. From the beginning to the end, you performed well, oh beloved and faithful human. Cry. Cry as much, and as often as you need to cry. I am crying with you, too. Good job, faithful human. Bender never doubted that he was loved. That is the best gift we can give to anyone. May peace find your heart and calm your soul, knowing you did a great job. Philia.

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  48. what a sweet friend he must have been. How lucky you were to have him. My mother always told me that the ending was the last kind thing you could do for your dog or cat.

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  50. What a wonderful, terribly hard share this is. All of us who have gone down this road share your grief. True story: whenever you have a particular helpful or interesting share, a cute photo of Bender, etc. I would share with my husband and I always would say to him that this was from “Anne, mother of Bender”. I think many of us feel like we are closer than just readers of your blog and therefore share your burden of letting him go to a better place. With sincere sympathy…

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