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Newbie was a rescue from a dog fighting house. According to the shelter from which we got her, they couldn't get her to fight, so they used her for breeding. For her entire life with us, she had scars from where they tied her down for breeding... But despite coming from the most abusive background imaginable, she was the absolute sweetest dog. She was in my life for about a decade and, other than in her sleep, I never once heard her make an aggressive sound.
Unfortunately, she died a few years ago from a failing pancreas. She's the only dog I ever had to choose to let die. I wish she were still here.
edit: She was really stinky, though.
The first dog I took under my responsibility (I won't say he was mine; I don't own dogs, I care for them) came to me at 12 weeks. He was the sole survivor of his litter, as his mother was too old.
We spent the next twelve years together. A cancer took his health and at nearly twelve years old I had to ask help for him to go peacefully and painlessly. He took his last breath in my harms.
I miss that dog every single day.
You did your best. If you miss that pup, that much,, you did your best. Remember the good times you had and be happy. They don't like to see us down.
Good on you for giving that dog twelve years with you and for being with him for his last breath.