re: When is it time to put down your pet?

I had a great Border Collie named Piper. She was a fantastic dog. She loved kids and was used to help kids who had suffered from a dog attack to overcome their fear of dogs.

She had a tumor. The vet did exploratory surgery. The office assistant had a young boy who loved Piper. He played with her all day before the surgery, and gave her a pre-surgery hug and "its going to be ok" before the surgery.

The tumor could not be removed. On a Friday, I woke up and she wasn't moving. I called the vet and they said "bring her here later today when everyone is gone." I load her up and we drive down, no movement of any kind. We open up the back of the Suburban and the vet is about to administer the euthanasia. The kid comes out and says "wait, I want to say goodbye." He hugs Piper, and she became alert and gave him a huge dog kiss. It was the only conscious movement she did that day and that last one of her life. Even the vet cried.

RIP Piper. You were a great dog.