I had to put down a family sheep dog of my parents.

It was going blind, deaf and couldn't walk much so when they were away one weekend I put the dog down. They knew I was going to do it. Our other sheep dog knew I had done it and was never the same from that day.

I have only ever had two dogs. My first died at home one cold night when I was away living in Europe for two years which I found sad not being able to say good-bye. But this little dog was a great mate to an earlier sheep dog we had. They were inseparable. When the sheepdog was either shot and run over to cover the crime by someone, or run over and then shot to finish it, I buried it. My little dog was very upset by seeing the corpse. We showed him it so he wouldn't go looking for the sheep dog. He was quite frantic when we buried the sheepdog so took him away.

Dogs do have strong emotions and attachments. Of course.

Erik, Funny you mention a Viking funeral. I have already decided my current mate will have a flaming pyre on a hill in his paradise (hunting grounds) when he one day goes.

I think you and your friend did well for his old mate, Delga. Well done.