Brendon

So, Liz was out of town and something bad happened.

No, I didn't lose one of the kids, but we're on the road to losing someone else.

Benji has been sick a while and he's getting old.

I saw that he wasn't okay and I took him to the vet.

We're gonna have to put him down.

My heart broke at the thought of having one less pet, let alone the pet my wife has had for years.

Benji has been in our family for upwards of seven years, and has been a part of Liz's for even longer.

We're scheduled to put him down on Thursday, today being Tuesday.

Liz isn't due back until Saturday, but I have to break the news to her.

She deserves to know.

Liz😍

B: FaceTime me ASAP

L: I'm on my way to hang out with Claire, what's up?

B: I need you to call me NOW

*incoming FaceTime call from Liz*

Hey babe, what's up?

We have a problem.

Uh, okay. What's wrong?

I took Benji to the vet, and the news wasn't good.

What going on with him?

They want to put him down, Liz.

Liz
As soon as Bren said that, my heart dropped.

What? Do they have to?

It's pretty much set in stone. They want to do it on Thursday.

I immediately stopped the rental car and turned it around.

Liz? I thought you were going to Claire's house.

I'm getting the first flight back to LA.

But you're supposed to leave Saturday.

B, there's something called re-scheduling.

I'm aware, but don't cancel your trip for this, I have this under control.

Bren, Benji's like my son. I'm coming home to him.

I'll see you soon, be safe, please.

And within an hour, I was in the air, en route to Los Angeles.

I got home by 6:15.

"Babe!", I yelled out for him the second I stepped in the house.

"Liz! Hi, baby.", he said, walking into the room, kissing me.

When he pulled away, he looked sad.

"What?", I asked.

"You didn't kiss back.", he looked down.

"I'm sorry, I'm really upset about Benji. Can we go see him?", I replied.

He nodded and we got in the car.

Once we arrived at the emergency vet, we went to Benji's room and Bren let me go in alone.

I had a hard time containing my emotions.

He was laying down and he looked so tired, an iv in his paw as he smiled a little at me.

"Hi, Ben. I love you buddy.", I smiled, laying on the bed with him.

I ran my hand through his fur.

His golden, soft fur.

He whimpered a little, almost as if he was crying out for me to save him.

"I'm gonna miss you so much, I feel like I've had you for what feels like a lifetime. Thank you for everything.", I said.

He let me wrap my arm around him as we snuggled on the bed.

We eventually left and came back on Thursday to watch him be put down.

As I saw his eyes close and his heart monitor rapidly drop, I began to scream and cry into Bren's chest, tears stained his shirt as he rubbed my back, comforting me.

This is what grief feels like when it comes to an animal.

Seeing the pet you've raised all their life die in front of you.

"Mr and Mrs. Urie, we're so sorry. Benji is officially gone.", the vet said.

That just made me cry even harder.

I walked over to him, sobbing as I touched his cold fur.

He was really gone.

elizabethurie Benji spent the last 10 years living with me and my sister, and the last 7 with Bren and I. Today, June 10th, 2017, he left us. He's now free from pain and trips to the vet, and is hopefully eating all the meat his heart desires in puppy heaven. Thank you Benji boy, for bringing happiness to all of us. Nothing will ever be able to replace you. Thanks for the memories. We love you.

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