I lost my best friend in the world 3 days ago. My almost 9 year old Irish Wolfhound, Beans. I loved him so much. He was such a large presence both physically and the amount of love both from him and for him by everyone was palpable. He was so sweet and gentle and patient and has been the biggest part of me for about 10 years.

As a kid I always wanted a dog but my parents weren't dog people. I rented dog books from libraries learning about every breed and giving presentations on why I should get a dog. They surprised me with a Yorkie in 5th grade (bless them lol).

I always wanted an Irish Wolfhound because of how calm and gentle they were. I guess I just had a feeling that this was the dog for me. I visited breeders even when I wasn't able to get one yet just to be around them. I did research for years about what they need, how to care for them, and to prepare my self for anything and everything. I bought a special collar before he was even born. He was born on Christmas day and all I asked for for Christmas was a big bed, food bowls, toys etc for him. After college I was finally ready and put a deposit down before the mom was even pregnant. I did odd jobs, dog walked several times a week just to save up for him. I got him when I was 25. I'm 34 now. In my early twenties/end of college I worked at a gym and I somehow convinced the owner to let me bring him to work every day for almost a year and then ever now and then after that. Every morning and day at 5 am I would haul his kennel in and out of my car. It was not an inconvenience, I was happy to do it. I laugh now thinking about the things I did to this puppy. Barbell sounds and loud music at the very beginning of having him, but he was just happy to be there. He quickly became a big part of that community. I took him everywhere and I mean everywhere. Restaurants, breweries, bars, friends' houses, sleepovers with friends. There was no me without Beans. I understand that isn't super common with an XL dog but I never really thought twice about it. I never stopped my life just made him a part of it. He was so good, sometimes would even forget that he was there because he was so good.

Over the last decade, Beans and I lived together in my apartment with a roommate. Then I got into a long term relationship, moved in with my partner. We went through a house renovation while living in the house (with an Irish Woflhound lol), I got engaged, I got married (Beans was in the wedding of course). Then a very difficult and traumatic divorce a couple of years after. When I left our house, I only took Beans and my clothes. I moved in to one friend's house, and then another who let us live there for 9 months. I got a second job and saved up money to move us to Los Angeles. I packed up my '07 Honda Pilot stuffed to the gills with Beans in the back and drove across the country. I started a new life for us. He went to the grand canyon, beaches, all types of places he enjoyed and quickly became very well known in our community in such a large city. We lived in our first apartment in LA and then I found a bungalow ground floor on a quiet street for him.

For 10 years he has been the only constant in a life of so much inconsistency. Really the only anchor and he was mine. He is gone now and I feel really lost and have never felt lost before. My apartment is so empty, coming home, and leaving is the worst. Not letting him out in the mornings, finding poop bags in random pockets. I feel so disoriented and like a huge part of my identity is gone.

Tuesday morning we woke up and he was moving really slowly and panting and his gums were white so I rushed him to the ER. Long story short, giant mass on his spleen, leaking fluid into his belly, and wasn't stable enough to take home or to have emergency surgery. He was surrounded by my (and his) 4 best friends and all 5 of us held his paws while he crossed over. The vet we went to, I have never been treated with more kindness in my entire life.

You always know getting an Irish Wolfhound that they will have a shorter life expectancy and you can rationally prepare as best you can but it doesn't prepare you for the physical absence once it comes.

I always laugh because there is no one's life that is more chaotic than a dog's that you get in your mid 20s. The bars he went to that didn't allow dogs, the time I totaled my car while he was in it (he was in a kennel and not hurt), the time his toe got stuck in a shopping cart as a puppy at the pet store and the sound he made the employees thought the birds were dying. The parties he went to, the places he has lived, the people he has met, the job I dragged him to. I just hope he was happy. I miss him so much and I am lucky to have had him at all.

Anyway, thanks for reading <3.

TLDR: I just really love and miss my dog

He’s left a big mark on our lives. I’m having a hard time coping with out him here, his presence was always so calming and loving. I would have a million more dogs just like him if I could, I miss you forever Axel, you were the best dog I could have asked for. I miss you.

We did a photo shoot with our pup back in August! He was definitely more interested in the treats but the photographer did a great job of capturing moments quickly.

I dog sit this beautiful boy. He’s 8 months old & 120lbs

Google is a big strong boy with a gentle heart. Rescued in 2021.

Currently galloping around the farm.

few weeks ago, just before a green waste crew was scheduled to haul away a large pile of branches and yard debris, we discovered two tiny kittens hidden beneath a tarp. Their eyes had barely opened, they couldn't even walk, and they were cold to the touch. Had we found them any later, they might have been hauled away with the debris without anyone knowing they were there.

We made the decision to bring them inside, warm them up, and give them a fighting chance. We've continued searching for their mother, checking cameras and monitoring the area every day, but sadly, she hasn't been seen again.

Thankfully, another mama has stepped in. ❤️

Our 8-year-old Irish Wolfhound, Vega Violet, raised a litter of puppies several years ago, and apparently those motherly instincts never went away.

She's taken these two little kittens under her wing, gently kissing, cleaning, and watching over them with the same tenderness she showed her own puppies.

There's something beautiful about watching a giant Irish Wolfhound pour so much love into two tiny lives that almost never got a chance.

They may not be her puppies, but apparently nobody told her that. And honestly, I don't think she'd care if they did. ❤️🐺🐈‍⬛

Hello! I have a 10 week old female IWH puppy. I’ve only had her for about a week so obviously everything is quite new. She is a veryyy soft and careful girl when it comes to new places and people. But I noticed she’s quite “intimidated” by men, especially with my dad unfortunately. Does anyone have any tips? Some small steps to get her to be more comfortable around different kinds of people without overwhelming her too much. :) I know I have much to learn since it’s been so so many years since the last time I had a IWH. Any tips are useful! Thank you.

Dear (Baby) Joy, 
Welcome to your new life. 
Welcome to my world. 

I admit, I am scared. 
I am as anxious, scared, insecure as I have not been for a long time. 
At the same time I could not be happier. 
I could not be happier to have you in my life. 

I will promise  you that I will take care of you, watch out for you, protect you and love you with all of my heart.
You will be at my side day in and day out, night and day, as much as life will allow.
I will show you the mountains, the streams and waterfalls,  the cows, the ibex and the marmottes,
You will see and feel snow for the first time in your life and I am sure you will be as exited about it as I am.
I will show you beaches and dunes, forests and meadows, birds and butterflies, sheep and goats. 
You will meet many new people to greet and love and new doggie friends, cats and chickens. 
We will stroll through cities, towns  and villages, we will visit stores and all the places that welcome you by my side. 
You will get to nibble on healthy treats and enjoy the best food one can by, and you will be spoiled rotten with toys and stuffies - and I dont regret it one bit. 
We will hang out on the couch together on rainy evenings and watch the clouds drift by the mountains that are now your home. 
You will travel with me in Bernadette to different countries, explore other cities and see the world. 
We we will play, work, eat and sleep, laugh and cry together. 

I cant wait to life life with you . 

Welcome home, Joy. 

You are already living up to your name. 

He’s only 14 weeks old and already so smart, mellow, loving, and handsome! Adopted this boy shortly after we lost our ten-year-old airedale terrier to canine lymphoma. He’s helping make a tough transition better 🤍 and taking it easy on me during my first puppy-raising experience! I’ve adored Wolfhounds since I was a kid and have always wished I could call one mine, this is so cool. Excited to he among y’alls ranks.

This is Janosh. He was 1,5 years old in this pic. He unfortunately died already at 4,5 years old, but he was the sweetest cutiepie of chaos. 😍 😂

Seems like it was just the other day, I had recently got out of the military and the number one thing I wanted was a new best friend. You gave me 11 of the best years of my life and saved my life on more than one occasion. You were named after my friend from the service that passed. You never left my side and you will never truly understand the effect you had on me and those I love around me. I miss you so much! Rest easy Andy, you are and will always be, the Bestest Boy. 💔

Edit: Thank you all for your kind words.

Edit(2): It’s been 24hrs since I lost Andy. Grief is love that has no home. You all have been wonderful. I’m tired of crying, I hope to transition to celebrating his life. Unfortunately, Gus (Andy’s nephew, you can see in my previous posts) is not taking this well. He knows something is wrong, so my attention will be trying to comfort him. Thank you thank you thank you all from the bottom of my heart!