Heartbroken

Posted on by Julia

February 27, 2026

After 17 wonderful years, Nox is no longer with us.

We went to the vet this morning with hope that Nox had improved.

Nox’s overnight treatment didn’t work and her kidney numbers went up. She lost weight overnight.

Nox’s quality of life had rapidly gone downhill in the last few days.

Our vet talked it over with us. She was very sympathetic, but wanted to make sure we understood that Nox’s quality of life was going to get worse.

We asked her to let us talk it over. We both knew it was time to let her go.

We took Nox outside to the grass and let her walk in the sunshine for the last time.

When we came back in, we told the vet we were going to have Nox put down.

She said we could spend as much time as we needed. I filled out the paperwork. We held and petted Nox for a long while, then let the vet know it was time.

Bruce held her while I scratched behind her ears. She left being loved on.

My heart hurts so much. Bruce is having a rough time, he felt Nox was his dog. Having lost his dad in January and now his best beloved dog is gone, Bruce is reeling.

We went for a walk along the Tennessee River and that helped some.

When we got home, he said it is so hard to believe Nox won’t be waiting for us, wagging her tail.

Last Picture of Nox

18 thoughts on “Heartbroken”

  2. I mourn with you, Julia and Bruce, the passing of such a wonderful little dog. Words fail at expressing how sad I am for you. I understand your feelings, wish there was something that could be done, and know that there isn’t. Miss Nox was how I started following you way back years ago in Golden. She popped up on your old blog and I wanted to learn more about this super fuzzy cutie. I’ve tracked her adventures ever since. 17 years is wonderful but no matter how long they live, a beloved dog’s time is always too short. There will come a time when you smile while telling tales about Nox and of course she will always be in your hearts…and ours. Take care my friends. Tom

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    1. Tom,
      Thank you for your sympathy. It is so hard right now. I asked Bruce why we do this to ourselves. He replied we get so many years of love from them.

      Nox loved the biscuits you sent her. She would gently take them from our fingers, and then
      fast walk to one of her beds to crunch the biscuits into smaller bites. It was so cute.
      I loved following your blog about Max. He was such a cutie, even though you dressed him up.

      Take care,
      Julia

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  4. I am so sorry for you all. I was thinking how hard something like this might be for Bruce. He has special prayers from us.

    Last night I dreamed of a litter of white puppies. Maybe Nox is sending a hint to heal your hearts with a new, naughty housemate. ❤️‍🩹

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  6. By far the hardest thing we ever have to do as pet parents. We give them all we can. I’m so very sorry for you both. We definitely understand the pain.

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Published by Julia

I am a retired software solutions architect. I have been married to my husband, Bruce, for over forty years. We have a 12-pound dog, Nox, who we love dearly. She has been with us since 2009. We went full-time RVing for 3.5 years and saw much of the United States. We bought a ranch house on a hill in the middle of five acres. We are working on creating our homestead. I love cooking and enjoy sharing recipes. I am also an artist and I’ll share my current projects. Reading is my favorite hobby.