[flybigjet]

Originally Posted by Watching The World Burn

For sure - I just don't want him to be in pain either, but I'm picking up on some cues that he's trying to tell us that he's hurting. He ate one treat today, but wouldn't eat more (which is something he never would have turned down in the past), he used to love walks, now he's dragging his feet, and he woke us up 3 times last night to go out, once where he apparently disappeared for 20 minutes in the forest according to my wife who had him that go around where she thought he might have gone away to die.

But otherwise, he's still smiling on the outside, super gentle as he always has been, etc, so its hard to make the decision, but given the above cues, I feel like he's trying to tell me its his time, much as I don't want to do it. Still, keeping him around if he's in pain is unfair and I know it, so I'll do the right thing if I see this continue...because these are definitely marked changes in his behaviour.

Really sucks though.

The best advice I've ever been given is that our pets hearts beat faster than ours, and eventually we have to make the decision to let them go.

And, we have to be the adults-- and have to do what can be incredibly painful and make the decision that's best for *them*, and not for us.

As much as we love our pets, there comes a time where we have to decide on when to call it a day.

But they *trust* us. And with that trust comes the responsibility of making the call on when to "call it a day", regardless of how much you might want one more "perfect" day with them.

It sucks. And it's horrible. And if you have an ounce of love and compassion in your heart, there will be a *lot* of tears.

But, that's part of the contract. They give you unconditional love, and you eventually have to make "the call".

I'm *so* sorry for what you're going through. Been there, and will be there again.

R.