My dog had to be put down

Sad news this evening from my parents in South Africa. My beloved friend and companion, Levi had to be put down down last night (NZ time). He was a Boerboel of 9 years old. He was 65kg of pure muscle and is typical of the breed, was a fierce guardian of the family.

I received him at four weeks of age so wasn't properly weened at that stage. I cared for him like the newborn baby that he was and will never forget him following me one day (4 months old) and then hearing tiny paws scraping for traction as he fell into my pool! I looked and saw him in the water and thought, aww yep, he'll be sweet but nah - just saw these amber eyes looking at me despairingly as he sank towards the bottom. I threw away my cell and my wallet and dived in and caught him, one-handed before he hit the bottom and launched him to the surface and placed him down.

Since then he would always stick to my side wherever we went and he hated water. Funny guy - would always, always try and wrestle his way into the house hahaha and if he got in, then he loved cruising under tables but of course he was too big and then ended up carrying the table away as we chastised him for being sneaky enough to get in.

I left South Africa and he became my parents' dog and he never failed to look after them - he was a stallion and I'm shedding tears thinking of all the good times I've had with him.

Some pictures:

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Nice looking dog, kinda cute as a puppy. Sorry for loss Ryan RIP Levi.

Haha reading his traits he sounds like a real character and a joy to have shared time with. Sadness for the loss but joy in the memories. Ill pour another whiskey in his honour :cool:

He was full cute as a pup Toby but that wore off real quick. Was a devious SOB heheh, needed a firm hand to keep him in check (in a good way) but he loved his family. He was what we in South Africa call a "meneer" ("sir" / "mister"). Shot Hori, fixing myself another Steinlager as I type this.

Sorry to hear, Ryan. Reading stuff like this, reminds me how true the old saying is: a dog is a man's best friend. Here's to Levi, and here's to your next best friend.

RIP Levi.

Sorry to hear of your loss of Levi. It's a time that we never want to arrive but its a time to look back and have a laugh at the good/bad and testing times as well. Keep your chin up mate and cherish the memories.

Sorry to hear that Gibo. We lost our Great Dane at the end of last year so your sadness resonates. RIP Levi

RIP Levi

Fantastic breed, most of them turn out to be real characters :)

Condolences Ryan , rip Levi .

sorry to hear that Ryan. sounds like levi brought you as much happyness as you did to him.

RIP, sorry for your loss.

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Originally Posted by Rushy

Sorry to hear that Gibo. We lost our Great Dane at the end of last year so your sadness resonates. RIP Levi

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How's your new Great Dane pup ?

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Originally Posted by TimeRider

How's your new Great Dane pup ?

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Fantastic TR.

What a Handsome dog, Sorry to hear of your loss, Rip Levi

Thanks for your good wishes guys. Great Danes are super dogs.

Condolences Ryan, hardest thing I ever had to do was having my old Lab put to sleep .

Mate take it however you feel, or interoperate. It's better to of have had than not to of had, or rather better to of loved and lost than never to of loved at all. All dog owners will relate to this, also why does a dog only live for 10-11yrs and we get 80plus.

Sorry for your loss. He was a lovely looking dog.

RIPLevi always so hard losing pets

Now thats my kind of dog, Sorry for your loss Ryan.