[Carlea]

I am so sorry for you and Paris. Believe me I know just how you feel and hard the decision is to make. We made the decision to stop my best friend suffering Nov 26, 2011 . Let me tell you how we came to our decision and maybe it will help you "know when it is time". It all started with what we thought was a simple UTI. A couple of years before he had bladder surgery so we watch for them. The vet gave him antibiotics but even with the medicine one day he would be better the next two worst . He seemed to be confused part of the time. We spent over $600.00 on blood tests, x-rays, ultrasounds, etc. something would show up but after doing further more specialized test it would be ok. Back and forth we went, it was a terrible time. To us it didn't matter about how much money it costs, what did matter was he was getting worse and we didn't have any answers. He went totally blind suddenly. Being blind is horrible but not something we can't live with. Dogs adjust amazingly well. He was a picky eater so that was hard to judge. He was drinking but he became more and more confused. Almost like he had Alzheimer. For ten years he has been my constant companion. I am disabled so he spent the majority of his time sleeping beside me on the couch. Now he wouldn't stay still. He walked with his head hung down around the house. At first I thought he was "mapping" the house getting use to his blindness. We have a doggie door to our back yard and he has used it for over 10 years but we woke up one morning and he was not in the house. We found him lost in the back yard. His paws were so cold. I gave him some of my oxygen and held him until he warmed up. Later that day he seemed to be better was still mapping the house but would let me hold him and still would sleep beside me. That night he never stopped walking. He refused to be held and now he would bark as he was walking and when you picked him up. This is when I knew it was time. He was not a barker. Only when the door bell rang. It was obvious he was on pain. Only one time during the night when I woke up to check on him was he asleep but I bet he walked 23 out of the 24 hours. He was blind so looking in his eyes was not a option but he always shook when we went to the vet this time he slept and continue to sleep until the end. This told us he knew we were helping him that the pain would soon be gone. We believe he had a brain tumor but we will never know for sure. Sorry this is so long but I wanted you to know how we knew it was time. He was only 10 Years old. RIP my friend. I miss you so much.