15/05/2024
Our Dale put a post up earlier about the passing of Lincoln, but I just wanted to share an insight to how important and special he was.
I’m absolutely heartbroken, and can’t imagine life without him in it. He was 15, and had advanced kidney failure.
He had stopped eating and was loosing weight quite rapidly. Sadly there was nothing we could do, and the vet told us he was feeling nauseas (despite medication) and that his condition would only get worse.
It’s an experience I’d hate to go through again (but know I will) but when the vet told us if Lincoln was his dog, and he’d let him sleep because of his declining health, we knew we had to give Lincoln this final act of kindness.
But a bit of history to how Lincoln meant so much to myself and my family.
From the age of 11, I’ve suffered a myriad of mental health issues.
The impact it had was immeasurable and to this day causes me issues. But most of my early life was spent lonely because of it.
I never had any friends to celebrate my milestone birthdays with, no one to take out when I passed my driving test at 17, I had nothing.
From body dysmorphia, to severe debilitating OCD (I never once left the house for over a year), and despite loving, supportive Parents, I was many times suicidal.
I didn’t want to live, and I spiralled to depths of utter sadness.
Then at 19, after trying everything, my Mum and Dad decided to get me a dog.
That dog was Lincoln.
I now had my first friend. He wouldn’t judge, gave me unconditional love, and most importantly required me to walk him.
Walking Lincoln (at this time a very cute puppy) meant people stopped to talk to me which was a first.
Lincoln was be his happy bouncy self, and other people would stop to fuss him, and in turn talk to me.
This may not sound a lot, but for someone to want to talk to me was something that had never happened before.
On my darkest days, I now had a friend to take with me in the car, and go to the beach, or forest and I didn’t feel alone anymore.
At times when I would often cry, Lincoln would come up to me and comfort me, and the world seemed a brighter place.
Over the next few years, my confidence grew, I’d see familiar faces I’d see on the walks, and it was then my Dad told me about an article he read about someone starting a dog walking business.
So at 21, I started ‘Lincoln Walks’.
It was the start of the turn around in my life. I met many new people, making one of my first friends’ Victoria (who also has a border terrier).
At 24 I managed to courage to go out and meet new people outside of dog walking, it was then I met my future Husband Dale.
(He really is the rock that keeps me from going over the edge).
We got married in 2018, we have a beautiful Grandaughter, a lovely home, and the life I have now, wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for Lincoln.
You see, Lincoln wasn’t just any dog. He was the dog that quite literally, gave me a reason to carry on living.
Without him, I wouldn’t be here now.
Lincoln’s passing has left me broken, and life won’t be the same, but I owe it to him to carry on, and be grateful for the life I have.
(Many times I have imposter syndrome)
After all, it was the life he gave me.
To make all of this even harder, my closest friend passed away last week.
I know though that Tina will be looking after Lincoln for me, until we one day, all meet again.
…
Lincoln, I’m heartbroken, hurt, and I love you beyond words, and thank you.
I’ve got a bit more to do on this Earth for now, until we are reunited.
(Tina go easy on the treats 😂)
…
