I lost my Cocker Spaniel, Roy, tonight.
He was dying...events started in the last few days and progressed rapidly. Tonight I took him to ER, and they explained to me how bad he was and that he may not make it through the night. So it was best to put him to sleep.
I am having him cremated and will keep his ashes alongside my last Cocker Spaniel's.
I have his companion, Rosie, still (a terrier mix). She seems to know, but I'm not sure. She's very smart and smelled Roy's blood and saw me crying, carrying Roy around. She gave me a special welcome when I came home, as if to say she knows. I hope she understands and won't start looking for him.
My heart is breaking. I loved the little Munchkin. He was so sweet and good natured and happy. He was 11 or 12 (not sure...he was a rescue). I will miss my little fellow.
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love lives on.
But I have also been there and I do understand. I grew up with a cocker spaniel - since my father did - and have had four in my life. The last three were senior dogs who I adopted from rescue. My heart goes out to you, I'm getting choked up as I type this. The most important thing to remember, though I know you hurt terribly right now, is how fortunate your beloved Roy was to have found you. And your Rosie will need extra attention since she will be missing him too. 
Thanks.
That's how my cocker had also become homeless, her owner had died, as well. And I found out awhile afterwards that I had actually known her. She'd been a nurse in the oncology unit of the local hospital where my Dad had been, she was memorable because she was so upbeat and humorous - and I had adopted her dog. Those two pups hit it off from the very first night. He'd been separated from his biological sister who was adopted elsewhere. And I realized that it was probably tougher on him than on me.
I often wondered if the two pups hit it off so well because they both had lost their owners. That was the worst thing, my little guy found another sister, then lost her as well. But you're right, it is better than the other way around - painful as it is. Rosie is very fortunate to have you since you still have each other.
On one hand, your pain and his weren't drawn out... on the other, how awful to suffer such a terrible loss so suddenly.
You did a kind and difficult thing for him. I know from experience how painful it is to make that decision. He sounds adorable and I'm glad he was so happy for so long. You must miss him and his sweet spirit so much.
Everyday I treat my little girl like it could be her last one, she is 14 1/2 and I dread the inevitable. I lost my first little one and it was devastating (actually it was worse than that). I have never experienced such loss and pain. The only silver lining is that I was recently diagnosed and I have only a few years left so I am grateful that the time I will have to endure the loss and pain will be shortened. I can't imagine going through the death of my girl again. My mother was right when she told me I should never have dogs. I need them, but the loss is so excruciatingly painful. I live alone and am sick so when she goes I will no longer have my best friend and my best medicine...warm, soft kisses on my toes from her and pink belly rubs from me.
Fun, cute, happy, unconditional love, loyal..... I never have met a single person that has all of those qualities and in such endless amounts. 
He was on his way to Austin to file a complaint with State Board of Veternarians (actually it was to testify) on behalf of one his Spaniels that had died a year ago. Anyway, he took his other two Spaniels with him. Apparently one of them got overheated in the car and died suddenly. He dogs were adorable. I think they were pure breeds. Adorable dogs and a bit smaller than most Spaniels. Long moppy coats and you just wanted to pick them up and hold them.
I'm so sorry. It is a bad time of year to lose a beloved pet
of Roy push away the sadness. 
Your love was returned a 1000 fold I'm sure. Always hard to let any loved pet go. I dread the day. Sending a hug your way and a scratch behind the ears to Rosie. May you both comfort each other.
Exactly 50 years ago today, Nov 20. 1967, my father succumbed to lung cancer. He was only 44 years old. And over the ensuing years I have learned that the loss of what society calls a "pet" but is actually a member of the family can hit every bit as hard.
Godspeed, Roy. (See, I'm an agnostic, but I gotta believe there's a nice, gentle place where animals go after leaving this earthly plane. Because they deserve such a place, because they're so much better than us!)
