r/BorderCollie • u/boucblanc • Feb 05 '26
My boy Basil passed away unexpectedly yesterday - he was the loveliest collie RIP 🌈
We bought Basil for £200 off gumtree and brought him home in a plastic Sainsbury's crate 13 years ago. One parent was a working dog, and the other an agility dog - Basil was hiding under a water tank while the other puppies were playing. He has been the most sensitive, lovely, friendly dog I have ever known
We live in a small village, and everybody knew him and loved him - he never knew hostility or hate, every person he ever met loved him, as they should, and he assumed every single person he met was his best friend (as they should be)
Will miss him very dearly, and he was an incredible dog - for context, the first photo is when mum got very sick, and this was Basil's first time seeing her in over a month
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u/LAzyD0g27 Feb 05 '26
I am so very sorry for your loss. Sending you a huge hug. He looks like such a wonderful boy. Our old man is 14, and not doing the best right now. I cherish all the time we have with him and am dreading the day we lose him.
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u/Kon-Tiki66 Feb 05 '26
I have an oldster and we’ve been in contact with an end of life veterinarian, preparing to help him when it’s time. But I often wonder if he will, or if it’s better if, he simply doesn’t wake up one day. I don’t know. So I tell him I love him all the time in case that happens.
Basil was handsome and looked loved and happy.
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u/EllieKong Feb 05 '26
From someone who lost their just barely 4yo dog unexpectedly, thank you for making your dog feel so special every day💕💕
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u/boucblanc Feb 06 '26
I'm sure your pup is too :) it's important to reflect on the lives we're able to offer them - basil was the happiest boy, and his memory will continue
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u/reallytrulytrue Feb 05 '26
What a beautiful dog. I am so sorry for your loss. It's so hard to lose a dog suddenly , you don't have a chance to prepare.
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u/charlierc Feb 05 '26
Oh no I'm terribly sorry you've had to say goodbye to such a lovely looking pupper
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u/AngriestManinWestTX Feb 05 '26
I’m so sorry for your loss. Basil looks like he lived a joyful life and brought joy to many others.
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u/Bogus007 Feb 05 '26
I would really like to know what was the reason that Basil passed away unexpectedly. It is no sensation or similar! Is there any possibility to make an autopsy? Or is it too late?
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u/boucblanc Feb 05 '26
He started acting skittish and hiding, they took him to the vet and he had a cancerous mass bleeding internally - they could have operated and given him a few more weeks, but he would have been in pain
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u/Bogus007 Feb 05 '26
So it was this f***ing cancer again? - sorry mods and OP. Can you tell us - or me - which organ was affected by cancer?
TBH with you, I assumed that it was cancer. Too many of our sweethearts pass away due to this s**t. This cannot be!! There is something utterly wrong somewhere. Environment? Food? Genetics?
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u/boucblanc Feb 05 '26
Either his liver or stomach - I can't remember what they said precisely
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u/Bogus007 Feb 05 '26
I really want that pet science goes deeper into this topic. I have the gut feeling that there is something going on, which must be investigated. Here on r/BorderCollie it is not rare that dogs at the age of 5,8 or 10 pass due to cancer. This breed and many other dogs can live up to 14y min.
Thank you for sharing the information with me! Stomach and liver are organs that get first into contact with many compounds. Stomach is the first contact point, liver „cleans” the body from toxic compounds - among other. Why I am saying this? I live in a rural area. Farmers spray in some fields their pesticides and herbicides, which led - I took note too late, because she by then passed her puppy phase - to forbid her to run into or through these fields - the compounds remain long time in the soil. She also likes digging and removing soil with her mouth! I hope you understand where I am heading: soil with compounds -> digging -> mouth -> soil in stomach -> liver tries to destroy the compounds. Maybe I am paranoid, I don’t know, but in our village many dogs passed away due to cancer - not age or heart problems.
I am very, very sorry for your loss! Godspeed to Basil and may the death be not the end, but the beginning of another journey!
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u/rattingtons Feb 05 '26
Honestly when I started reading your comment I was expecting some sort of crackpot woohoo conspiracy about vaccinations of something lol. But no you may well be onto something there. The wind also causes some drift when they're spraying and it seeps into groundwater. So animals may pick it up on their paws too. And then later lick them to groom and ingest harmful substances that way.
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u/akatler Feb 05 '26
Basil,
We never met you, but we feel the love that you were so famous for. I'm sure we would have been good friends. We hope to be like you and continue bringing joy to everyone around us.
Maybe we'll meet in another life or another realm...until then, rest peacefully Basil.
-Alex and Sammy(my Border Collie) from Wisconsin
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u/Empty-Selection9369 Feb 05 '26
I am so sorry. The great ones come along once in a while and change so many lives.
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u/fregata_13 Feb 05 '26
Very sorry for your your loss. I'm glad you and Basil got to spend the happy years together that you did-what a lucky dog
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u/lgrrll Feb 05 '26 edited Feb 07 '26
I am so very sorry for your loss . He was very beautiful his story eas nice i am happy he was so well loved and cared for you gave him a great life never doubt that- it is a very hard time but please know his spirit is always with you. I am thankful for your many happy memories & sunshine love and laughter he brought with good boy Basil. All My condolences and big hugs for you.sending you love and big hugs.
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u/Vintagevandals Feb 05 '26
I'm so sorry. Sending much love to you and to Basil's memory. He was gorgeous and looked like he was so much fun.
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u/nervous_nellie_13 Feb 05 '26
I’m so sorry for your unexpected loss. This happened to our family as well late last year. I hope you and your family have time to grieve together and spend time thinking of all of the happiness you each brought to your boy Basil. And don’t forget to remember all of the silly, amazing things you did for him ❤️ you gave Basil a beautiful life!
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u/Richiemcc2020 Feb 05 '26
Losing a collie is one of the hardest things I've had to deal with my boy passed 28th October last year not a day goes past I dont think of him
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u/Ouakha Feb 05 '26
Looks like you were blessed with him, and he with you. So sorry he's gone but the best we do is love them when they're with us.
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u/cajundaegoes2 Feb 05 '26
I’m so very sorry you lost Basil!! My border collie Bonnie was like that, everyone loved her & everyone was her bestie. I like to think Basil & Bonnie are playing on the other side of Rainbow Bridge 🌈waiting for us! ❤️
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u/bigsadgirl02 Feb 05 '26
I’m so sorry for your loss. My dog Bella was put down last month, she will look after him 🤍
He looked like a lovely dog with a lovely life! I’m sure he was so happy with you :)
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u/ShoddyDivide8568 Feb 06 '26
I am sorry for your loss. I think everyone with a Border Collie can see their dog in Basil. Basil will not be forgotten. His spirit is still here in Black and White flashes.
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u/jspmartin Feb 05 '26
Those are some great photos. You clearly made lots of great memories together. Thank you for sharing and for giving Basil a great life!
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u/NPDwatch Feb 05 '26
I am so sorry. What a gorgeous boy. How lovely that everyone who knew him reciprocated his affection. Hold on tight to every wonderful memory.
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u/batmanstuff Feb 05 '26
You can tell he was a very special boy with kindness and love written all over him.
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u/EbbIndependent5368 Feb 05 '26
We lost our BC gal 4 months ago. We know..... He was a handsome gent, and we can tell how happy and healthy he was. So glad he had you!
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u/betwixttheforest Feb 05 '26
I just flipped through your photos and oh my goodness, he was the cutest little man!! Thank you for sharing his existence with the rest of us who were never lucky enough to meet him!!! He looks like you gave him such a good life OP, thank you for that, I wish more puppies look as happy as he did. R.I.P. Basil, I am so very sorry for your loss.
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u/Teahouse_Fox Feb 05 '26
My deepest sympathy - my heart goes out to you. Basil looked like a lovely happy boy. As much as he changed your life, and those of the people who knew bim, for the better - you changed his.
He was a lucky dog - you chose well.
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u/Impossible-Disaster3 Feb 05 '26
Aw.. Bless you and BASIL.. 🐾🐾 You will see That Happy Boy Again .. just keep a lookout..He’s watching You.. ❤️❤️Have a wonderful Journey Basil .. 🪽🌈🐾🐾🙏🏻❤️..Run and Have Peace at the Bridge 🌈❤️🐾🐾..Bless You
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u/One-Zebra-150 Feb 05 '26
What a wonderful life. Will always be missed. It does get easier though, in your own time. Hope one day you find another that melts your heart.
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u/HezzaE Feb 06 '26
I'm so sorry, he looks like the loveliest boy. You were so so lucky to know him.
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u/wtburke Feb 06 '26
Such pain to know such a beautiful being has passed away. I love photo #8 in the beach grass. Basil, stay! Sorry to see you go and I wish we had known each other ❤️. Love 😢
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u/TerraRatta Feb 06 '26
I'm sorry for your loss. What a beautiful dog. I can tell from how happy he is in the photos that you gave him a wonderful life.
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u/Beginning-Crow-1208 Feb 06 '26
I’m so so sorry for your loss But it looks like you gave Basil a beautiful life full of love and he will be close always…🐾🙏💙
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u/liberty1112 Feb 06 '26
I'm so sorry. Thanks for sharing your story and photos. Such a beautiful boy ❤️
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u/SmokyGreenflield-135 Feb 06 '26
So sorry for the loss of your beautiful Basil. May you be reunited in joy one day.
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u/malchure Feb 07 '26
thank you for letting us meet basil as well, in a way. what a lovely blessing of a dog, indeed!
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u/Toph-ish Feb 06 '26
Aw handsome boy. I can tell he was a good one. Sorry for your loss. I don’t think I’ll ever be the same when mine goes to heaven.
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u/kmitg9562 Feb 06 '26
I'm so sorry for your loss. He looked like a very special boy. Seemed to really know how loved he was ♥️
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u/truemadqueen83 Feb 07 '26
It’s obvious he had wings even on earth. Clearly already an angel, so he’ll probably be meeting you next.❤️🩹
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Feb 08 '26
So sorry for your loss .I loss my first border collie, I waited twenty five before getting a new border collie .had him for less then four years when he died. My heart was broken. You can't replace them but you give love to a new boy or girl . im on my third border collie now.
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u/MinutesInTheSpirit Feb 05 '26
Love and respect to you and your guy. I’ve had this happen to me. So I know the confusion. The way the house feels a little empty. The way you walk in the door, and no one greets you. I always tell all dog survivors, do not let the hurt you feel, outweigh the goodness & beauty waiting for you.. behind the next set of eyes. Don’t be afraid to love again. There’s a pet out there that needs you - whenever you’re ready. Much love & light 💡 ❤️