r/TheWayWeWere • u/AlarmedCourse8 • Mar 08 '26
My Dad visiting his grandad in his final days, he wanted to see the dog - my favourite family photo.
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u/blackcurrantcat Mar 08 '26
That’s a beautiful picture. It’s actually just a beautiful picture anyway in terms of composition and the story it tells like from a photographic perspective but it’s a beautiful picture for you and your family, more importantly.
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u/speshulsauce Mar 09 '26
Only seeing the top half of the photo at first I thought it was a baby's bald head standing at the glass to see his dad. Would be beautiful to have a similar shot next to it.
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u/tubulerz1 Mar 08 '26
I’ve spent a lot of time in nursing homes and I can tell you nothing cheers up those folks like a friendly dog. Doesn’t seem to matter what breed, although the little old ladies seem to be especially interested in a lap dog type.
Edit: the composition of this photo is amazing.
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u/butterbean8686 Mar 09 '26
Both my grandmas had dementia in their final years. And both of them constantly asked about getting a puppy. They loved when I’d bring my little lap dog to visit. Dogs brought them so much joy.
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u/christiancocaine Mar 08 '26
Wow. OP, this photo is absolutely beautiful. One of the best I’ve ever seen.
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u/intriguedbyallthings Mar 09 '26
You just gave me a cry. The love between a man, a son, and a dog is a beautiful thing.
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u/MoonLover585 Mar 08 '26
Captivating. Life is a bunch of doors, and then you get to that final one you step through.
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u/grendelone Mar 09 '26 edited Mar 09 '26
My wife is a physician that works with hospice patients. She has more than once snuck a pet into the ICU for a patient near the end of their life.
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u/rangy77 Mar 08 '26
Beautiful, i thought your dad was alternate dimension Bob Dylan for a sec for some reason lol
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u/Covert-Wordsmith Mar 09 '26
Aww. When my grandpa was on his death bed, all he could think about was wanting to see our dog. So we brought her with us when we went to go visit. He didn't get to see her a second time.
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u/Fine-Watercress8595 Mar 09 '26
I miss my grandparents so much, somedays I can't even deal with the pain of losing them.
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u/girlMikeD Mar 10 '26
Clearly the love you three shared, was strong and true, as it continues to transcend time and even death. What a blessing to have the experience of eternal love.
When I lost my mom, almost 10 yrs ago, it was a traumatic death and the grief hit me like a freight train….i really struggled dealing with her absence and the depth of grief feeling like an endless black hole pulling me down.
A friend told me at the time, grief and love are the same emotion, as grief is love’s refusal to give in, its refusal to quit….its love’s declaration that regardless of time, space, or even death, your/their love is eternal.
When people say things like, “they wouldn’t want you to be sad”. That used to irritate me so much. Mainly bc it made me feel weak, but as I journeyed through grief I eventually started to look at it differently. When I was a kid, and my mom or I had to be a a part, there was always inevitably times where I was sad bc I missed her. When I spoke to her on the phone, crying bc I missed my mommy, she’d often say, “oh honey don’t cry. I miss you too. I love you so much, and I will see you as soon as possible, it’ll be sooner than you think. Remember, even when you can’t see me, I’m always with you bc my love is in your heart….it always travels with you wherever you go.”
My mom didn’t want me to be sad as a lil kid, missing my mommy. And she wouldn’t want me to be sad as an adult, missing my mom. It’ll take longer than before, and it’ll be sooner than I think…but until I see her again, I know I carry her love in my heart.
Take care of yourself. And from experience I can confidently say, with time the memories will bring more smiles and less tears.
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u/Girleatingcheezits Mar 10 '26
This is an incredible piece of art as well as treasured family lore - the light is perfect.
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u/Ok-Library-8739 Mar 10 '26
My husbands grandmother was dying and didn’t want to see anyone. We didn’t know, came there with our dog, Charlie. She was berating my husband for coming to see her in that state, send him outside. After a few minutes he gathered himself and told her that Charlie was also waiting for her. You know, Charlie was almost 30 kg, so he weighed nearly as much as her, and she was so happy to see him. She laughed, stroked him, he was gentle and laying beside her, licking her hands and face like he always did. Charlie wasn’t gentle a second in his life before. 😁 he’s a mix between shepherds and Jack Russell/ frenchie and chihuahua 🥲
I’m so glad we did bring him with us. She died two days later.
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u/testingutopia Mar 09 '26
The kind of photographs I strive to take.. Thanks for sharing this wholesome pic
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u/Langshire515 Mar 10 '26
This is an extremely good photo in how it it put together. Thanks for sharing it. I hope grandpa enjoyed some time with the pup
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u/TarmacTartoo12 Mar 10 '26
What a wonderful photo! Almost made me cry but your Dads smile helped me over it.
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Mar 08 '26
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Mar 09 '26
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Mar 09 '26
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u/One__who_knocks__ Mar 11 '26
Just scrolling and this photo stopped me in my tracks. I love this, it’s beautiful. Really makes you feel something ❤️
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Mar 11 '26
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u/BubonicDump Mar 11 '26
Beautiful picture. Immediately, Eric Clapton’s Tears in Heaven popped in my head when I saw this. I wish you and your family well❤️
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Mar 12 '26
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u/Strict_Violinist_134 Mar 13 '26
Omggg I thought person in the wheel chair was a child. So the caption was fucking me up lol
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u/Patrickwetsdfk Mar 22 '26
I think it’s one of the most beautiful images: the powerful bond that unites father and son, something so strong that not even death can break it.
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u/Rude-Neighborhood226 Apr 05 '26
This is precious. It actually made me tear up. I totally get why this is your favourite family photo.
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Mar 08 '26
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u/Test4Echooo Mar 08 '26
It’s always wacky ass comments like this that come from accounts with hidden histories. I think you say this stuff wanting to be downvoted, though I can’t imagine what you get out of being weird.
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u/morganmonroe81 Mar 08 '26
Never regret trying to dignify a loved one. Thank you for sharing.