A touching photo of three Belgian Malinois dogs sharing kisses before saying their final goodbyes has dog lovers’ hearts breaking.
Reddit user Rawtashk posted the photo of their oldest dog – 11-year-old Sef – saying goodbye to his family before being put to sleep later that day.
He wrote, “Our old boy is getting put down today. Somehow our other 2 seem to know, and they’ve been saying goodbye all morning.”
The family arranged for the veterinarian to come to their home so the family could be with Sef when he crossed Rainbow Bridge. “You know you have a good boy when your vet doesn’t normally do at-home euthanasia, but she volunteers to come out and do it for Sef,” said Rawtashk in his post.
“And that’s what happened this morning. Somehow Rhonin and Jaina both knew, because they kept coming over and giving Sef kisses this morning while we waited for the vet.”
“Sef was able to go peacefully at home, while my wife and I stroked his fur and told him how much we loved him and how much we were going to miss him,” he revealed.
“I love you, Sef. You were the best boy I could have ever asked for. I would have carried you forever, had I been able to, but it wasn’t fair for you.”
Following up on his original post, the family wrote: “Thanks for the kind words everyone. We said our goodbyes and he’s getting cremated so we can put his ashes on the mantle next to our first dog. He was the best boy I could have ever asked for. Love you buddy. I hope you had a wonderful time.”
Sef’s owner later told LADbible that since Sef was put to sleep his other two dogs have been a bit sad.
“We have two dogs still,” he said. “A five-year old male named Rhonin and a two-year old female named Jaina. Rhonin has a very soft personality, and I can tell he still thinks something is wrong, although that might just be because he’s picking up on my general demeanor.”
“Jaina is more outgoing and energetic, so she doesn’t seem too phased by it….but last night she did come over to the couch and sniff around at the blanket on the couch that has been Sef’s ‘spot’ for the last five months or so.”
Jaina also knows she’s not allowed on the couch but she jumped up on it and “curled up where Sef would normally be” the dog owner revealed.
Sef’s owners are hoping that people who are moved by Sef’s goodbye support dog rescue and will donate to the American Belgian Malinois Rescue in his honor.