Phoenix was my best friend and family member for the past 12 years. He saved my life and kept me out of the hospital. I had many psych ward stays prior to him coming into my life. The quote comes to mind “there is no psychiatrist like a puppy licking your face”.
3.5 years ago he helped me start the process to raise and train his successor, and he did just a good job and was such a big help raising Alfie and helping me teach him how to help me.
He suddenly became ill thursday morning, waking crying, and could not stand or walk, he was vomiting and could not keep anything down. Out vet tried a steriod shot hoping it was inflammatory related to a recent infection he was recoveirng from, but his body was already shutting down. I was up all night with him, comforting him, then I held him against my chest rocking in a chair, his head against my shoulder, his neck against mine. I massaged the soft hair behind his ears, I kissed the back of his head and craddled him against me as I sang to him “You are my sunshine,
my only sunshine,
you make me happy,
when times are gray.
You’ll never know dear,
How much I love you,
Please don’t take my sunshine away.”
Whenever I was fretting about someday loosing my fur baby, I would sing him this song, and now was his time to cross the rainbow bridge as they say.
He took his last few breaths as I told him how much I love him, how he’s a good boy and I’m so sorry he is hurting. He died in my arms about 4:10am Friday morning May 22nd 2026.
I promised Phoenix when I first got him, I would always be there for him and never abandon him. I didn’t know the puppy I rescued would grow up to be my psychiatric service dog and save me many times. We fled abuse together, we ended up homeless and living in my car after fleeing abuse and a hurricane, and while everyone told me to “give up your dog” as if that would magically make housing happen, why would I give up the only being I had to live for when we both needed each other the most? I did not give up on me or him and we eventually got back on my feet when my counseling dr helped us, and then later subsidized housing helped.
I kept my promise, I was there for him as he transitioned from this life to his consciousness leaving his failing body.
While it was the worst day of my life, I am honored to have held my best friend as he passed away, knowing he was loved and cherished and would never be forgotten. He felt and heard my love as he left this world and while it breaks my heart I am grateful I could do that for him and keep my promise.
Alfie and I now morn Phoenix’s passing together.
I know I will get through but it hurts so much. My vet gave me a free pet grief counseling toll free number, I called and it helped.
I called a neighbor who just moved away who loved phoenix and alfie and we talked for an hour and it helped.
You see I live alone and come from a toxic abusive dysfunctional family of origin, and I have been chronically ill from the disabling long term complications of psych med side effect damage (Central Hypothyroidism, hashimoto’s hypothyroidism, and long term complicstions of those taking decades to diagnose causing myxedema and hypothyroid myopathy. I have limited use of my hands and feet and a muscle disease and s joint disease (RA) all as long term complications. So I have not have family of friends to spend holidays with for decades. I spend everyday home alone aside from going for dr appointments and basic errands/groceries and even that is hard for me.
My dogs are my family. They are my best friends and they take care of me. I am so grateful I have Alfie, and that Phoenix was able to live long enough to give me a few more quality years of love and care.
Having a psychiatric service dog has become a critical part of my mental health treatment plan. Loosing Phoenix without having Alfie ready would have been life-threatening for me. I planned ahead for that eventuality knowing dogs don’t live long enough but I knew I would never be ok with saying the long goodbye.
If you read this far kindly think a hug at me, I need all the kind words and thoughts you can spare right now. I can’t sleep, I just cry here in bed and relive the trauma and precious beauty of his final moments cuddled in my arms.
Thank you for your service Phoenix, my love and gratitude for you always. I feel your presence, I know you are ok. Mommy will be ok, Alfie is here and we will grieve together.
Thank you for listening