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Terminally-ill dog owner left heartfelt final words for their Springer Spaniel before passing away: ‘I’m sorry I had to…’

Alongside the note to Missie, the owner also wrote to her new foster carer, Jane, sharing hopes for Missie’s happiness and future.

BY PAHUL NANRA

PUBLISHED 12 HOURS AGO

(L) A Springer Spaniel pet dog. (R) A person writing a letter. (Representative Cover Image Source: Getty Images | (L) Lusyaya, (R) Jacques Julien)

Letting go of a beloved pet is never easy, especially when it’s not by choice. For one dog owner, facing a terminal illness meant making the heartbreaking decision to give up their furry companion. But they left behind more than just memories; they wrote a heartfelt letter that touched the hearts of many. The emotional final words reflected the strong bond between the two.

Representative Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Olivier Truan Photography — A woman writing a letter. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Olivier Truan Photography)

As reported by Dogs Today in 2017, a then six-year-old Springer Spaniel named Missie was taken in by Spaniel Aid UK, a rescue and rehoming network. Her former owner, no longer able to care for her due to a terminal diagnosis, left a handwritten note that quickly gained attention on social media. The letter began, “To Missie; It has been a privilege to have had you in my life. You will be in my heart forever.” The emotional message also included a promise: “I will wait for you on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge, and you me! I’m so sorry I had to give you up.”

Dog sniffing owner. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images| Photo by Photoboyko) — Dog sniffing owner. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Photoboyko)

Alongside the note to Missie, the owner also wrote to her new foster carer, Jane, sharing hopes for Missie’s happiness and future. "To Jane; Missie is a very special girl. She deserves a lot of love...I know she is in the right hands now." Missie was then under the care of Spaniel Aid UK and was being assessed to help find her a forever home. Given the overwhelming response and support online from their now-deleted Facebook post, the charity was hopeful that Missie would soon be adopted by a loving family.

Dogs in cages in a shelter ( Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by Camille Tokerud) — Dogs in cages in a shelter. ( Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Camille Tokerud)

The heartbreaking reality is that due to health issues and other major reasons, many pet owners are forced to give up their beloved pets. According to the National Library of Medicine, thousands of dogs and cats are given up to shelters each year. From 1996 to 2017, a large Danish shelter recorded reasons for 90% of 3,204 dog and 82% of 2,755 cat relinquishments. The top reasons included owner health (29% for dogs, 32% for cats), behavioral problems (23% for dogs, 25% for cats), and housing issues (21% for dogs, 26% for cats). Owner-related issues were most common, and dog relinquishments dropped by 3% per year, while cat numbers stayed steady. Relinquishment often happens when owners feel they can no longer meet their pet’s needs due to personal or financial struggles.

A dog in an animal shelter is waiting for adoption (Representative Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by Andyborodaty) — A dog in an animal shelter is waiting for adoption. (Representative Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by Andyborodaty)

Unfortunately, it is extremely common, and these pets are often given up through no fault of their own. In another incident, a couple, during their regular trip to PetSmart, found a litter of kittens left in a shopping cart in the parking lot. A note explained that the owner couldn’t keep them and asked for them to stay together. The couple then alerted the store staff, who agreed to care for the kittens overnight. The mother cat, who had run off, was later found hiding under a nearby car. The next day, the kittens and their mother were safely moved to a local animal shelter.