Beth Fisher’s dogs Spencer and Rocky were best friends for a decade.
Totally inseparable, the two had never even spent a night apart and were happy to trail around after one another all day long and sleep together at night.
“Rocky and Spencer slept in the same bed, ate from the same bowl and always walked together when they went out,” Fisher told The Dodo.
However, the family got some devastating news one day after a trip to the vet.
Rocky, the blonde dog, had developed a large cancerous tumor inside his body. He had been feeling unwell for some time and this was the worst case scenario.
Unfortunately for the family, and especially for his best friend Spencer, there was no hope for a recovery. It was too late for treatment and since the dog had already been suffering, the most humane course of action was to put Rocky down as soon as possible in order to end his pain.
The family had no idea their trip to the vet would end this way. Rocky was put down the very same day.
Returning home, the family coped with their own loss but also dealt with Spencer’s confusion.
“It was hard to process Rocky’s sudden death, but we can’t imagine how hard it must be for Spencer to have lost his little brother,” Fisher said.
There’s no way for Spencer to know where Rocky went, and the family had a hard time watching their beloved dog look for his friend.
“Since Rocky passed, Spencer has been getting up in the night to wander the house looking for his brother. And then he starts crying because he can’t find him.”
While Rocky’s ashes sit in a shelf above his former bed, Spencer has no way of knowing he’s nearby, watching over him.
Fisher said the family realized that they would need to do something else to help the dog cope with his confusion and loss.
That’s when her father came up with an idea. He ordered a special pillow for Spencer – one printed with Rocky’s smiling face on it.
Surprisingly, Spencer reacted well to the gift, which helped put him at ease.
Fisher told The Dodo that the simple object seems to be helping him fill the void left by his best friend.
“Spencer has been cuddling into the pillow since it arrived, carrying it from the sofa to his own bed,” Fisher said. “He seems a lot more settled now he’s got something to cuddle into.”
The sweet pup is still in mourning after losing his playmate, but he no longer has to sleep alone. The pillow has reminded him of the days when his friend was by his side.
“I don’t think Spencer will ever get over Rocky’s passing, but I hope he’s able to learn to go on without him,” Fisher said.
Of course, the family has given Spencer extra attention as well in order to help everyone cope with the loss.
It’s heartbreaking to lose a family pet and loyal companion and there’s no simple answer to moving past it. It simply takes time and the love of those around you.
Luckily for the Fisher family (Spencer included), their support system is a strong one.
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