How will you know when it’s “the time” to euthanize your failing dog? If you’re facing this difficult decision or if you’ve had to say goodbye to your canine companion, my heart goes out to you.
Not long ago, our family had to make the difficult decision to say goodbye to our beloved dog, Luke. (For part one of the story of Luke’s cancer diagnosis and his passing, please read Saying Goodbye to Our Dog: Our Family’s Story of Our Last Days with Luke.) With raw honesty—my own recent experience weighing heavily on my heart—I’d like to share my thoughts with you.
I know the pain is stifling. May these reflections on my own experience with Luke help bring you peace and comfort.
5 heart-to-heart takeaways to help you know when it is “the time” for your failing dog:
1. It is always better to be too early rather than too late when making THE decision.
More times than I can count over my 20+ years as a veterinarian, I have found myself sitting on the floor with weeping clients who have come to me to euthanize their failing dog. And they ask, “Are we doing the right thing by letting our dog go today?” (This is particularly true for dog owners caring for elderly dogs.)
While I can’t tell them that 2:18 on Thursday afternoon is indeed the “right time,” I can reassure them that they are in the right window of time, validating their decision to let their dog go with peace and dignity.
My guiding principle in saying goodbye to Luke was not to eke out every last second of life together, but rather to spend every last second of life together that he could enjoy.
In reality, Luke probably could have “lived” another week or two. But he had a rapidly growing tumor in his chest which was affecting his attitude, appetite, and breathing. We didn’t want him to get to the point where he was struggling for air.
My daughter (who was Luke’s person), was very cognizant of this. In the days after Luke’s diagnosis with cancer, she repeatedly told me, “I don’t want to do what’s best for me. I want to do what’s best for my dog. I know he’s not happy. He has such a sadness to his face, and I don’t want to keep him alive for my sake.”
The veterinarian who came to our home to euthanize Luke commented, “You’re fortunate to know when it’s time. So many dog owners struggle with this decision and wait too long.”
We can’t change the past, but my wish for you, if you are wrestling with making THE decision for your beloved dog, is that you will never have to lament, “I waited too long.”
#2 As much as we all long for it, the odds are slim that our dogs will pass away peacefully in their sleep.
I don’t know the actual stats, but I can tell you that very few of my own clients have been given the gift of their faithful canine companion passing gently in the night.
For the vast majority of dog owners, we must be brave and selfless and give our dogs the final gift of a peaceful and painless passing through euthanasia.
After counseling many clients and through my own experience with Luke’s passing, my heartfelt advice is this: making THE decision will most likely be a part of the journey of life with a dog.
#3 Release some of the pressure by living in the moment and treasuring each day with your dog.
The big, looming question is, “How will I know when it’s time to say goodbye to my beloved dog?” I believe, to some extent, that focusing on this question adds additional pressure during an already difficult time. When you recognize that, due to old age or serious illness, your dog is on a downward trend and not recovering, you probably don’t have to plan the specific date and hour immediately. Rather, take it one day at a time and consider each additional day as a gift.
As I discussed Luke’s progressive failing with the veterinarian’s assistant, she shared, “When clients are struggling with THE decision, I advise them to put out two jars.” She tells them, “Every time your dog is having a great day, put a penny in that jar. But every time you think ‘My dog’s just not himself, and I’m concerned about his quality of life,’ then put a penny in the other jar. Watch the pennies in each jar add up. Pretty soon it’s very obvious.”
Keeping a dog health journal is another way to track your dog’s good days and bad days. It will help you objectively reflect back on your thoughts and observations over time.
Recently, my friends lost their beloved senior dog unexpectedly after an anesthetic procedure. The dog developed a secondary pneumonia. My friends went to visit their beloved dog in the ICU and made the decision, based on his poor prognosis, to euthanize. In Luke’s situation, we had a couple weeks to process his diagnosis. In the case of senior dogs, sometimes the goodbye can be very prolonged.
While each situation is different, I think this is wise counsel across the board:
- let information (not emotion) be your guide
- seek insight, advice, and support from your veterinarian
- when in doubt, please remember point #1.
#4 Talk openly about euthanasia before “THE time.”
If more than one person lives with your dog, I hope you can talk openly and have meaningful conversations about the possibility of euthanasia as the time approaches. I’ve witnessed many couples who tiptoe into the topic of dog euthansia during a veterinary appointment. It’s as if the subject is too painful to broach at home and brushing it under the rug will negate the reality.
However, I’ve also witnessed the sense of relief and strength that comes when a couple finally talks openly about euthanasia for their dog. I’ve seen the compassion and support that comes from dog owners talking and crying it out together. Also, if you have children, I encourage you to include them in age-appropriate discussions. Kids are amazingly resilient and intuitive. In my experience, trying to “protect” kids makes it more painful for them in the long run.
In our case, my daughter Abigail made the final decisions for Luke. He was her heart dog. However, Abigail and I talked about Luke’s well-being and health status daily, often multiple times a day. So it was my decision too. As the mom of eight children who all tenderly loved Luke, there were many questions. I tried to answer each one in a sensitive but honest way.
#5 Consider at-home euthanasia for your dog.
There’s no place like home. Dorothy had it right. And it’s especially true when it comes to euthanasia.
Euthanasia should be a reverent time, scripted the way you want it. Veterinary hospitals are busy, loud places. With home euthanasia, your dog’s last moments can be in the comfortable, stress-free environment of his or her home, and you can grieve in privacy.
Resources for at-home euthanasia
If you are searching for resources about at-home euthanasia or end of life care for your dog, I strongly endorse and adore Lap of Love veterinary hospice and home euthanasia service. It is a network of veterinarians from around the country who are dedicated to end-of-life care, including in-home euthanasia. You can find more information along with a directory of veterinarians in your area at Lap of Love. Also, Home to Heaven—one of the world’s first animal hospice services—offers a map of in-home pet euthanasia providers nationwide on their website.
I’ve heard many people say, “I could never be a veterinarian because I could never put a dog to sleep.” Well, I don’t want to say it’s my favorite part of the job, but I can tell you I’ve seen the value, for my clients and for my patients. Therefore, it’s my privilege and my honor to be able to help pets transition at the end of their lives.
A dog’s love lives on
I’ve read studies claiming that it’s harder for people to lose their pets than human loved ones. I’m sure that’s not true for us all, but one thing dogs have over humans is this: Dogs embody unconditional love, forgiveness, and joy.
I think a dog is a little reflector of God himself on this earth.
Do you have questions about end-of-life care for your dog?
Please comment below. By connecting with others, may our hearts heal.
My heart is breaking for my 14 1/2 yrs old mini Schnauzer Angel. During her lifetime she has had numerous operations: two for bladder stones, a rear leg knee subluxation and a lymphoma. She is the sweetest little girl and my heart has been breaking since April of this year. She is losing strength in her back legs and has dementia and severe sundowning starting around 3:30ish everyday. She wanders around stumbling and falling at times where we have to pick her up and right her. The vet can’t confirm if she’s in pain or not. She makes high-pitched sounds a lot… not a bark but more like a tone. She has a good appetite and is on numerous medications. Can’t make a decision about when we may need to euthanize her. I have never had to do this with any of my other pets and it breaks my heart thinking I would be in charge of ending her life. Thank you.
Dear Carol,
I am so sorry you are facing this difficult decision for your beloved pup. It would make it easier if we didn’t have to choose to say goodbye, but what a blessing we can offer a peaceful passing and spare them from unnecessary suffering. I will attach links to other articles with more information and great advice from other readers as well. Praying for strength and clarity as you navigate this emotional path. Bless you and your sweet Angel. ♥
1. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
2. Dementia in Dogs: When to Euthanize Your Beloved Senior Dog
3. Dog Euthanasia: Knowing When to Say Goodbye
4. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
Hi Dr. Buzby,
You’re advice was so helpful with our girl Sade-Mae who was diagnosed with bladder cancer in May 2024 she lived another wonderful 4 months before we had to let her go on Aug 19, 2024, just a year and 3 wks ago, even though it was best for her, she was still happy, eating etc but suddenly she could not empty her bladder, only bloody urine leaked out when she laid down, our hearts still break today.
But, it is our other dog Maxx I(he is 13 yrs 4 months, Staffy Mix, 85lbs) I write to you today about, for a year he would pant excessively, then 2 yrs ago he also began to have “spells” where he would totally collapse on walks, he would cough & gag when excited and at times wake up at night with these coughing, gagging episodes, could no longer walk inclines, uneven surfaces, needed a dog ramp to get up on sofa, bed, in/out of the car, stairs were totally out, our Vet at that time said arthritis but at our persistence did tests for heart/lung issues, still no diagnosis, then just over a year ago (July 2024) they sedated him to do a full chest, heart lung series of x-rays, well we almost lost him to the sedation, when waking up he could not stand, breath well, they thought he had a seizure but would not permit my husband to stay there w/him till the sedation wore off more, they helped him take Maxx to the car and said goodbye!
Still, they had no answers after all that! February of this year (2025) we were able to move back home (NH) and I booked Maxx an appointment w/his regular Dr. here, she saw him & after finally getting the records from Vet in WV (we lived there from Dec 2022 till Feb 2025) she was astounded! She upped his Carprofen & Gabapentin to see if the heavy panting was due to uncontrolled pain, his heart & lungs are fine, well things just progressed.
She saw him again in March, she “flipped” both of his hind paws and he just stood there relaxed, no thought to right them, his panting is raspy now, he drags his hind feet, he does not walk on top of them though. He has every symptom of GOLPP, he cannot be sedated due to his breathing, so his diagnosis is from classic symptoms, x-rays from WV & documentation of symptoms we reported to WV Vet.
Anyway, Maxx’s breathing has gotten worse, AC, limited outside time etc has no effect, he pants heavily just changing positions on sofa.
Buy, I am torn on letting him go, he still WANTS to go out, eat, drink etc although he breaths like he just ran a mile & he only stood up, he does collapse mostly when in the house, he can’t walk steady for long but he still wants to GO, GO, GO!!
How do I make this choice for him when he still wants to live although it’s getting very difficult for him?
Dear Jude,
I am so sorry you are facing this difficult situation with Maxx. I can only imagine how emotional it must be to see him declining especially after having to say goodbye to Sade-Mae last year. It is ok to let go before all joy is lost and the only thing that remains is pain. I would rather say goodbye one day too early than one day too late and allow unnecessary suffering. We so often focus on giving our dogs a good quality of life, but a peaceful passing is just as important. I will attach links to other articles with more information and great advice from other readers as well. Praying for clarity and strength as you navigate this tough path. Bless you and your sweet boy. ♥
1. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
2. Dog Hospice Care Can Bring Peace and Dignity to Your Dog’s Final Days
3. Dog Euthanasia: Knowing When to Say Goodbye
4. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
Dr. Buzby,
Thank you for you quick reply! Yes, we had all intentions of having Maxx with us for a few more years at the very least!.
Sorry for the long post, just wanted to give you all the information, I do get not having him suffer but if he’s willing to deal with the huffing, panting, leg issues etc, I feel like I’m taking his life, I know how crazy that sounds, I know we will have to let him go soon but it’s not as it was with Sade-Mae, she had cancer, yes she would’ve kept going too but she would have been in horrendous pain if her bladder burst.
IDK he just loves life so much he’s willing to deal w/these things & he doesn’t seem bothered by them. I do keep calendars, use the QOL scales, I’m just so conflicted, btw my husband is not, although he comes back in saying “boy, he just wants to walk, walk, walk even though he’s huffing/puffing, stumbling at times, he just keeps on going”
If Maxx didn’t want to do anything the choice would be much easier, thank you, I’m just conflicted w/how he acts & what I see. Thank you for your prayers, I too keep praying maybe I’m just not seeing the answer.
Dr. Buzby,
I did read all articles you gave links to, we are still so conflicted!! Right now we are going to wait till months end, he has to give a very clear sign that he’s done.
Although he pants, coughs etc he still wants to live!
He does seem anxious lately, when outside he will stop and look around or just give a hard stare in one area, there is never anyone or anything there though, usually he would just ignore everything now he seems hyper focused to all which in reality is nothing.
Thank you again
Dear Jude,
I’ll be keeping you all in my thoughts. Praying for clarity and peace. ♥
Thank you for providing such heartfelt and thoughtful insights on a topic that many pet owners find challenging. Deciding when it’s time to say goodbye to a beloved canine companion is never easy. Your emphasis on observing quality-of-life indicators and seeking veterinary guidance resonates deeply. As highlighted in the Wikipedia article on dog food, proper nutrition plays a crucial role in a dog’s overall well-being. Ensuring that our pets receive balanced and appropriate diets can contribute to their comfort and happiness, especially in their senior years. Your article serves as a valuable resource for those navigating these difficult decisions, offering both emotional support and practical advice. Thank you for shedding light on this sensitive subject with such care and compassion.
Hi Patricia,
Thank you for the kind words. Best wishes to you and yours!
Hello,
I have a soon to be 9 year old Calupoh. She is absolutely my light, and the best thing I have ever had in my life. Unfortunately, lately she has had issues with incontinence. The vets have said she is healthy aside from the arthritis, but I can see her mentally declining. She used to love having a go at the sprinklers and used to run to the door everytime she hear them. Now she just stares at the back door, then lays back down in her dog bed. She refuses treats now, and won’t touch human food anymore. I got her 5 years ago from an acquaintance, and was never told anything else about her history. Im just wondering if I should make this decision for her. She doesn’t seem happy anymore with day to day life. The only thing she enjoys now is me laying with her and petting her, and it’s in those moments that I can see how truly tired she is.
Dear Confuddled,
I understand your concern for your senior pup and can see why you are conflicted about her quality of life. From what you describe, I am suspicious she may be exhibiting some signs of cognitive dysfunction/dementia on top of the issues you are already aware of. There are therapies and supplements that can help, especially in the early stages of dementia. You can discuss options with your vet and see if your girl is a good candidate for treatment. I will also attach links to other articles with more information. Ultimately, I encourage you to trust your intuition as you know your pup better than anyone. If you think she has lost her source of joy and happiness and is merely existing instead of truly living, then saying goodbye could be a loving option. Praying for strength and clarity as you navigate this emotional path. Bless you both.
1. Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Checklist: Could Your Dog Have Dementia?
2. Signs of Dementia in Dogs: Stages, Symptoms & Treatment
3. MCT Oil for Dogs Can Help Dogs with Dementia or Epilepsy
4. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
My dog has been apart of my family for the past 10 years and we all love him so very much which is why it’s hard to see him and his health declining so much lately. He was diagnosed with a heart condition a few years back (heart murmur) Because of this many places turned us away once he needed dental work…because of that it’s got worse, and I just worry about his comfort level with pain. He’s the only animal I’ve ever had and I’m not sure what to do to make sure I’m giving him the best possible care at this time
Hi Dominique,
I am sorry you are facing this difficult situation with your senior guy. I think it is very wise that you are monitoring your dog’s quality of life and taking his dental pain into consideration. There are some vets that will offer to do pulse therapy with antibiotics to keep dental disease at bay (temporarily) in patients that cannot undergo a dental procedure. You can also ask about a consultation with a veterinary dentistry specialist. They have lots of experience dealing with complicated cases and some specialty hospitals even have a bord certified anesthesiologist on staff. Of course, it is ok to forgo further treatment and focus on comfort care. Hospice services can make these final months/years more pleasant for you and your pup. I will attach links to other articles with more information. Hoping you can find the answers you need to make the best choice for your sweet boy. ♥
1. Is My Dog Too Old For Anesthesia?
2. Senior Dog Tooth Extraction: What to Expect
3. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
4. Dog Hospice Care Can Bring Peace and Dignity to Your Dog’s Final Days
Thank you for such an informative website. we are currently caring for our 15 year old spoodle who has a number of issues such as, epilepsy, thyroid, deaf, ccd and now frequently urinating in the house we have her in nappies. Just typing all of that puts it into perspective, however she is such a happy pooch, loves her food and family until the evening until the pacing starts with ccd, the hardest thing is to watch her pace aimlessly, if I do take her to the park off leash, she will naturally sniff around and within 20 seconds forget where I am and stress that I have left her and starts loooking for me, even though i may be less than 3m away, a 10 min walk in the park will result in this happening dozens of times.
Does the ccd and anxiety associated with it, as mentioned above, cause her so much pain/srress that I should consider releasing her from her struggles?
Hi Oliver,
I understand your concern for your senior girl and think it is good you are taking her quality of life into consideration. CCD can cause enough anxiety to warrant letting go, but I can’t say for sure if this is the case with your pup. If the anxiety and stress is consuming most of her day (and night) then saying goodbye may be a kind choice. Here is an article that may help when trying to evaluate how things are going: Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
Hoping you can find the answers you need to make the best decision for everyone involved. Praying for a clear path forward and for peace.
This was the most emotionally helpful article. My dog may have cancer. Your kind and insightful article helped me face it with grace and understanding. The fact that this is “a fact of life” as a pet owner made it so much easier to contemplate euthanasia. Thank you so very much.
Dear Victoria,
I am sorry your pup is facing a possible cancer diagnosis. Praying for clarity and strength as you navigate this unknown path. Bless you. ♥
My 16 year old dog has had Cushing now for 7 years I have managed him very well
He now has gone deaf and is losing his eye site he also has pine in his back and shaking
He is getting confused at night he doesn’t travel well anymore we are going away for to months in July am I doing the right thing by having him put to sleep
My husband and myself have talk about it we think so but it’s heart breaking to think about it
Dear Elizabeth,
I am sorry your senior guy is starting to show signs of declining health. If your boy is painful and living each day with anxiety and confusion, then letting go may be the most loving option. If you are not comfortable with how to proceed, don’t hesitate to reach out to your vet for support. They can do a quality-of-life exam and give you their honest opinion on your dog’s situation. Hoping you can find a clear path forward and praying for peace.
We took a dog away from an abusive home about five years ago and the first time we took her to the vet they told us she had heartworms… since we weren’t sure of her age we guess she’s around 12-13…. She’s a sweet , never messes in house, just a happy girl… I found a pill that worked for her for all this time but last year she started losing weight and now weighs about 11 lbs. to the 22 she use to be, a Boston terrier ,,,,her rib area is swollen and she’s just started laying around a lot. Over the years the yearly vet visit gave her the necessary shots and till now she’s been fine…. She now has her run around the house like a racehorse times and others when she doesn’t seem to know who or where she is….. she stands and shakes !,,,, we don’t know if we need to have her put to sleep, we don’t want her to suffer she has brought us so much joy…. What do you think, is she in pain?… Ty in advance
Dear Barbara,
I am sorry your pup is starting to show signs of decline, and I understand your concern. Without being able to personally examine her, it is hard to make specific conclusions or offer advice. Your best bet is to schedule an appointment with your vet and let them do a thorough evaluation. I’m sure your vet will go over all the options and let you know if there is a way to ensure she is comfortable or tell you if letting go is the most loving choice. Hoping you can get the answers you need to make the best decision for everyone involved. Bless you and your sweet girl.
Our 15 year old dog is showing increasing signs of dementia. He has started relieving himself in the house, often paces around the house and when we go outside to let him relieve himself he walks around for a bit and heads back to the door without doing anything.. He stopped begging for walks months ago. The problem is, the couple hours a day he is not sleeping or laying around he acts normal. Begs for treats, plays with his Kong and eats his food, although down to only eating once a day. His vitals are strong, but it’s so obvious that he is declining. I’m just struggling with making the call to put him down. He’s seems so normal for the couple of hours or so he is up. When making our decision with our last dog, he just acted ready to go. It feels very different with this one, which makes it harder.
Dear Nancy,
I am sorry your senior guy is staring to decline. I understand how hard it is to evaluate quality of life when most of the issues are mental instead of physical. He is very lucky to have you paying such close attention to his well-being and taking such good care of him. I will attach links to other articles with more information and great advice from other readers too. Praying for clarity and strength as you navigate this difficult path. Bless you and your sweet boy.
1. Dementia in Dogs: When to Euthanize Your Beloved Senior Dog
2. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
3. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
I made the difficult decision to put my 13 year old Labrador to rest last Tuesday and I’m still having a very hard time. I think it’s because she was still able to walk, very slow but it was something. Still eating but not drinking much water. She had a rough coughing spell about a month ago now that lasted about two weeks, but cleared up with antibiotics/steroids.
She all of a sudden had left sided swelling that happened basically overnight and started to have a very mild cough that same day. I put her down two days after that. She passed peacefully at home, in her bed with me by her side. I just hope that it was the right decision and not too soon. The vet didn’t really know for sure what her diagnosis/prognosis could be but she had some fluid in her abdomen and a possible mass on her liver. Deep down I know it was for the best, but I’m still struggling that I did this too early. This was my first dog that I owned that I have had to make this decision. Any advice/opinion would help. Thanks!
Hi Cass,
My hear goes out to you on the loss of your Lab. Losing a beloved pet is always hard, but there is something about the loss of your first dog that makes it even more heart wrenching. Based on what you are saying, it sounds like you make the kindest decision for her that you could. You gave her a wonderful life and then when her body started to fail, you gave her a peaceful death with you by her side. I’m firmly in the camp that it is better to say goodbye a day too early than a day too late, and I hope that in time you will be able to let go of your fears that you made the decision too early. You loved her well, right to the end, and you did what was best for her. In the days that follow, may her memory live on and bring you comfort in the midst of the grief.
Cass you did the right thing! It was the humane thing to do.. You gave your dog a good life. Always remember your dog went to rest w/her dignity & she is so happy & playing again w/other dogs..
I just had my 13 year old lab put to rest 10 days ago at my home. He passed away by my side while I was petting him. He had no quality of life left & couldn’t walk without being in pain. He had a huge bump on his chest. I think his heart was failing him b/c he panted nonstop. I miss my handsome boy so much too. I hope our dogs find each other in doggie heaven & have the time of their lives.
Take good care of yourself & always know your dog is doing just fine.🫠
Dear Sharrie,
I am so sorry for the loss of your senior boy. Thank you for offering support and empathy to others while working through some tough emotions yourself. Wishing you peace and comfort. Bless you. ♥
hi there,
Been having a very rough time with our elderly chihuahua yorkie mix Oberon. He is 16 almost 17 years old and is the only animal we still have from before we were married. The dog is very much a one person dog, and deeply loves my husband, while he barely tolerates the rest of us in the house.
He has greatly declined in the last few years. He had a stint where he became prediabetic and was having trouble using his back legs. we thankfully changed how we were feeding him to keep his blood sugar level and that helped a lot. he can walk okay, but at around 6 months old he broke his front leg being a puppy and jumping from too high up (the bed) and landing hard on his wrist. That front leg didn’t heal well due to inability to keep his cast on (my husband was young at the time and didn’t know better about keeping a cone on him). He limps pretty badly on that leg, he has cloudy reduced vision and sometimes bumps into walls. He used to be house trained and now seems to have little or no control over where he goes. We ended up getting a large pen for our dining room and keeping him in there to prevent him from tracking feces and urine all over the house and exposing the other animals to it.
He eats and drinks fine and loves when my husband sits with him and talks to him. We keep the pen clean with puppy pads and change them frequently throughout the day as someone is almost always home with him. He has fresh water and food at all times, but he can’t go on walks as his legs will give out and he hates interacting with our other dogs. He growls and cries when I bathe him, and tries to bite us when we towel him off. His teeth are bad and hes had to have many extractions. His back is pretty hunched and looks painful. He smells bad from how strong his urine is, even after we bathe him.
He’s just in really rough shape overall and now he is howling all night. Sometimes for 6 hours and the only thing that stops him is one on one attention from my husband. it’s exhausting and my husband is terrified of death and dying and I don’t know how to talk to him about the fact that I think it’s his time to go. I think hes suffering and I feel terrible. I feel awful because I am at the point where Im resenting the poor dog and my husband for not making the decision about his dog. I really dont know what to do. Any advice is welcomed. I’m sad and ashamed at this point.
Dear Iram,
I am so sorry you are in this difficult situation with Oberon. First, please know that the emotions you are feeling are completely normal and are shared by many. Thank you for having the courage to speak up and be honest about how incredibly hard it is to be a full-time caregiver. From what you describe, it does sound like Oberon is struggling and that saying goodbye could be the most loving option. We focus so much on giving our dogs a wonderful life, but a peaceful passing is just as important. Dogs don’t have any concept of “tomorrow”. All they know is “today”. So, if today is nothing but pain, anxiety, confusion, mobility issues, incontinence, and stress, that is not a good quality of life. We don’t want to be without our beloved dogs, but we can’t keep them here in pain just for our own emotional comfort. It takes a huge sacrifice of love to allow your own heart to break in order to spare your pup from unnecessary suffering. I am praying for your strength and clarity when you have the hard conversation with your husband. Bless you and your sweet boy. ♥