Had to put down my 9 year old German Shepherd the other day. On the Weekend Rex was his usual self, full of bounce. Come Monday he had that hang dog look.

Off to the vet for x-rays because he was refusing to eat.

At 42 kilos he was sedated so he could be lifted to the X-ray table.

Blood started pouring from his chest.

Bottom line, cancer of the spleen, and other complications.

The decision was made while he was sedated, to send him back to God.

I was an emotional wreck, even though I knew his role on this earth was to give love, and for him to learn the odd lesson in life. Like ducking for cover when the magpie birds swooped down to peck him.

I will miss those little things about him. Like at 5.57 every night he would come up to me whilst I was engrossed in sorting out the daily emails, and put his paw on my knee.

He did ever so gently just enough to wake me up and tell me time to go to the other room and watch the 6 o’clock evening TV News.

His inbuilt timing was just amazing.

To get over the grief that afternoon I jumped on my computer. Surfed all the regular sites and got engrossed with something on eBay.

At 5.57 I felt a paw on my lap.

Without the slightest hesitation I sat down and watched the 6 o’clock news.

I was stunned, I knew it was Rex on the other side of the veil telling me he is ok and back to the Spiritual Animal Kingdom.

Now I walk alone, but I still throw a stick into the Surf for Rex.

Then the tears start, for the Love Energy overwhelms me although I try to fight it off. I don’t enjoy weeping.

Rex was the 5^th German shepherd we have rescued and have loved them all

But Rex was the final. It’s too gut wrenching when they depart.

Brian Newington