re: Reading dog threads on here for years.... when do you know it's time for the big sleep?

We lost both of our dogs this year. Maggie in May, and Boudreaux last Friday. My wife took Maggie to the vet for emergency treatment, but the little girl collapsed and couldn't even walk inside. (Evans Syndrome). There was nothing that could be done and Maggie gave Melissa that look as if to say, "I'm tired. I'm done with it, Momma."

Boudreaux was 16-1/2. He'd had many tumors in hi lifetime but none malignant. This last one was malignant. We did everything to ensure his comfort, including helping him walk up and down stairs on the porch. He was uncomfortable frequently during the last week, but as long as he still had that light in his eyes and would wallow on the floor every once in awhile to scratch his back, I wasn't going to let him go. When he quit eating and would only drink water if we carried it to him, we knew that was our signal.

The vet came to our home, and Boudreaux crossed the bridge on November fifth at exactly 16 years and six months of age. A hundred-nine-eight months is a pretty long life, and he was spoiled rotten every day of it.

Keep that old hound around as long as there is still a little bit of joy that he expresses. He'll let you know when he's too tired to carry on.

My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. These are hard days in the life of a dog family. Love to you, your family, and your dog, my friend.