Hi Hanrahan We were sadly faced with the tough decision a while back. My beautiful Boxer boy - he was my dog well before I married- became sick with cancer. He was happy and relatively pain free for some time. Then we had a very cold winter and it hit him hard. We could hear him crying during the night ....it was absolutely awful. There was not much we could do to help him. I remember phoning my husband one morning sobbing and heartbroken. I had made THE appointment at our vets. I gave him his last dinner, fresh chicken , his favourite ... And helped my husband lift him into the car. I still cry when I think of waving goodbye as they drove away. I felt like an executioner. However, my husband returned shortly and told me that it was a really beautiful experience. He held Mitch and patted him as the vet prepared his medication...my husband says our beautiful boy looked up at him as the needle went in as if to say " thank you" . It was a calm and dignified departure... he simply closed his eyes....It was the greatest gift we could give him- he had been such a huge part of our family life. I still get tears when I think of that day , but we have never regretted our decision. It wasn't fair to let him suffer and it was our duty to help him be at peace. You will know when the time is right.
