[jp4m2]

I’m so sorry your having to make some difficult decisions….. Most of us at some point will have to travel this road, mostly alone with our pets, despite all the wonderful help, medical treatment, and advice that we get from our vets, family, friends, and boards such as this one. Each in their own way is valuable and important. But, the final decisions will come down to us and us alone. If any emotion rules supreme when a pet passes, it is guilt. No matter what the circumstances of our loss, guilt is there; it haunts our days, ruins our sleep, and tarnishes our memories. Our decisions and the guilt and grief that follows can be a pretty lonely place to be……We all will worry if we did enough……..

When is it appropriate for us to say - enough? When does quality of life, not quantity, become the most important question to ask? We all must make those decisions based on our own pets, not on what anyone else did, is doing, or would do. Our individual choices are ultimately the right ones. We must remember as well that not everything is in our control. We might like to think it is, hope that it is, but there are times it simply isn't. It takes courage to assume this last duty and it is our last responsibility to a pet which has given us love and companionship. A far more dangerous form of selfishness is to prolong a pet's suffering simply to postpone your own. …..…….. Which choice will bring you the least cause for regret after the pet is gone?..... Unfortunately, "no regret" is often not an option.


When you love that deeply, you would do anything in your power to protect and care for a loved one, whether animal or human. Part of the love is being able to let go, not for us, but for them. These gifts of ours are not meant to suffer. While the thought of losing them, or the actual loss can be horrific, it is *them* we must think of. It’s totally normal to wonder if we did the right things, made the right choices, fought hard enough or long enough. You gave your best and your best is truly enough. You loved hard and no one can question or judge that, not even yourself. You will make the ultimate sacrifice - for them. That takes courage, strength, and love.......

Sending you prayers to help guide you in your decisions…….(((hugs))))