Wednesday – February 13th, 2019 – was really tough to live through. Yesterday, my family and I said our goodbyes to our beloved dog, Deus. We had him for eleven years, but yesterday, just a few days after he and his brother’s birthday, was his last day with us. Now he’s up skateboarding (that’s an inside joke, of sorts), chasing balls, and barking with our other lost loved ones in heaven.
I only just realized that he was with me from my last years in the Danish primary school (Folkeskolen), through my years at the upper secondary school (Gymnasiet), as well as for the entirety of my time at the University of Copenhagen. Deus was my buddy, and he was with me through it all. He cuddled up next to us when we were at our lowest, and he was just as kind when we were laughing and being silly.
Deus was a head-strong and kind-hearted dog. He was always gentle, and, in his last year, he was remarkably patient and loving. I’ll never forget how he would go and lie in front of my television to spend time with me when my family was making too much noise. He was my buddy, and I already missed him and his friendship the moment he was gone. Although we still have two dogs in our family, it does feel like something’s missing. I’m not sure that feeling goes away, you just get used to it.
I suffered through sleepless nights in the lead-up to his last day with us, and I cried for the entire day on Wednesday, at least it felt that way. I was devastated. I am devastated. I got to hug him many times, I held his paw for so long. I remember lying on the ground with him, in an attempt to get the most out of the last hours with him. Again, it’s been really tough.
I don’t know how to end this. I don’t know how to stop thinking and talking about my buddy. But, I guess, that’s not the point. Because you don’t ever stop thinking about your friends and your family. I’ll never forget him. I’ll always love him. He’ll always be my buddy. I love you, Deus.
– Jeffrey Rex Bertelsen.
I'm Jeffrey Rex 