Knowing When it's Time to Say Goodbye to Your Pet 

I'm crying on the inside. I'm crying on the outside. My 15 year old pitbull Pepper is going tonight. She was my mom's dog. Lost my mom in 2013. So Pepper is a link to her. She is going Home--to her real Mommy. Thank you for the video. I needed this to help make the decision to end her suffering, and give her a loving goodbye.

This is the most thoughtful, compassionate counseling session I've ever experienced, so much better advice than I've ever been given by my past vets. My old border collie is probably in his last year of life, somewhat managed for pain, but still eager to take walks, play (although he falls over a lot), and chasing the bunnies in our back yard. It hurts to see him stumbling and collapsing, but he seems indifferent to these occasional collapses. Thank you, thank you for such great insight. My boy still loves his life...for now. Thank you for alerting me about trends to watch for. You are an angel. Thank you.

I needed this! I’m saying goodbye to my best friend of the last eight years and I’ve been on denial island the past 3 days. Such a wonderful dog and loved by everyone. Thank you for this video as it spoke to my heart. He will be in heaven this Thursday.

I wish I found this video a couple of days ago when I was going through the agony of deciding to put my elderly dog to sleep. Now I am sure that I made the best choice and shouldn't feel guilty about it.

This video is balm to my broken soul. I had to say goodbye to my 14 yr old dachshund a few days ago. He went downhill overnight. I saw it coming, but when it happened it was traumatic.

I also want to extend my condolences and heartfelt sorrow to the many others whom are and will inevitably have to endure this

Thank you so much for this informative, beautiful and caring video. I am going this process now for the first time with my wonderful companion of 13 years, Clyde, a 100lb male weimaraner. He was the light of my life and meant the world to me. I went though many phases. And finally I made a decision just a day ago. Now I'm feeling all sorts of emotions washing over me in waves. Most of which is did I choose the right time. I struggle with this constantly and I hope I can resolve it though time. I wish everyone having to experience this my best and surely we share a common bond if you loved your companion as much as I did. Again thank you for this wonderful video. I miss my baby.

Last year I had to put my 2 dogs to rest within 2 months of each other. I still think about them constantly and, in fact, I’ve got tears running down my face right now from just typing this. They were the best.

I’m getting ready to say goodbye, I’m devastated. Thank you.

We have used Lap of Love twice for our cats and there is absolutely no other option when it comes to saying goodbye. We are now at the same decision point with our dog and it is just as difficult as the first time. This video was so helpful in helping us process and make the most difficult of decisions. Thank you for the work you do and for helping not only our four-legged babies, but helping us as well.

I’m literally crying, such a good video, can barely type through blurry tear eyes

This is by far the most compassionate and informative video on one of the hardest things you'll ever have to do in your life and I thank you for it. As I comment we are struggling with whether or not it's time to say goodbye to our sweet sweet 16 year old baby pittie. It won't be my first time saying goodbye to one of my babies. But it doesn't make it any less heartbreaking or easy. Thank you Mary for your compassion.

Watching my friend of 19 years decline was the most soul crushing, helpless, living nightmare aspect of life that I've ever experienced. You can see the fear in their eyes and there's nothing you can do.

Thank you for sharing your story 💕It’s time for me to say good bye…love the bucket list..this video was helpful! Duncan was lucky to have a mom like you!

Thank you so much. This has helped me immensely. My 76 pound boxer mix has been experiencing mobility issues for several months. We’ve gone to the vet (2) and because he’s limping (2.5 months) and x-rays revealed nothing. His quality of life has deteriorated quickly and my emotional and financial budget is up. I’m going to let him go this week. Thank you.🙏🏽😭

I have a 17 years and two months chihuahua x I’ve been taking her for acupuncture once a month since her back legs failed and she’s bounced back but we went a few days ago and there wasn’t a bounce back. She has passed out a couple of times and now I’m having to take her for a pee give her water and hand feed her. Thank you so much xx I bet everybody including me wishes they could come see you! I’m in UK sadly but bless you for making this video which speaks to me. God bless you ❤️

Thank you for this video. Our 17y 2m old lab Vincent left us today. He has had a wonderful life for the most part. Thank you Vincent for the time we shared together, have fun in heaven.

As I move into a career at a senior dog sanctuary, I knew I wanted to learn about this inevitable part of a dog’s journey, as it will now be a part of my life. I am so grateful for the level of detail in this video. Also you gave me the peace of mind that I did the right thing for each of my dogs when the time came, which was always in the back of my mind. The comfort this gave me after years of wondering is indescribable … amazing. Thank you.

I just lost my 13yo baby on Feb 16th. She waited for my oldest son to get here and died in his arms. She was a 6lb shih tzu and she was absolutely beautiful! The day she died she looked exactly the same as when we got her at one year old. I miss her so much.

What a thoughtful, thought-provoking and helpful video. You cave real, concrete ideas and solutions to a very ephemeral issue. Thank you. Just used you guys three weeks ago today to help our Buster cross over. You were beyond kind, gave us the kindest way to help us say goodbye, even on short notice. ‘Thank you’ falls far short

Thank you for this video. I have a 12 year old German Shepard and she has lost the ability to use her back right leg, tried aquatic treadmill therapy, laser therapy, got a harness to help her get around but it has hit me that she is not living a normal quality of life. I will do anything to keep her around but I feel that it is time to make the decision I don’t want to make but I must for her. This pup was the most amazing soul I have ever been blessed to come into my life.

Thank you so much Dr. Mary. This really helped this dog dad. We now know it is time to say good bye to our black lab Benny. Thank you for helping us evaluate our budgets and see that Benny and his family are in a good place, even if it doesn't feel so good right at the moment...

Thank you so much for this video - put my little dog to sleep yesterday and although she was progressively getting more and more ill I thought I may have made the decision too soon. You have shown me that I likely made it at the right time.

I just reading the comments and they make me cry I had to say goodbye my loved one 2 Years ago..GALAN (COCKER SPANIEL ) I HUGGED HIM THE WHOLE process AND WAS TELLING TO HIM I LOVE YOU, IM SORRY THANK YOU , ONLY STOP TELLING THAT WHEN HIS HEART STOPPED. HE NEVER WAS ALONE... THIS PROCESS WAS AT HOME.

So helpful to me as I try to make this very, very difficult decision to say goodbye to my Annabelle. Life will never be the same without her.

❤I’m struggling so much right now and heartbroken that my 14yr old pom was diagnosed with cancer & I’m trying to give the best care possible, without prolonging any pain & I want to be humane but also can’t imagine my life without her… this video was so informative and helpful and put me at ease in better knowing what to do for her… Thank you for sharing this. 😭

A wealth of info, thank you. One that sticks to me is the comparison of photos of now vs then... I begun looking at pictures of my cat who is struggling with malignant lymphoma that has travelled to his intestines, spleen, lungs and heart... And the difference is vast. I feel sad knowing the end is near, yet, watching him suffer is no good. Thank you once again. 💙🙏

Thank you so much for this video. I appreciate your compassion for the pets, but also for their human parents.

Thank you so much for this video I lost my little girl last November due to a freak accident between her and her husky sister my boy Bobby has had bad knees and hips since he was 2 he is 11 now but I have noticed he is sleeping a lot more and cry’s more when he is awake after watching your video I know what I need to do I did ask my vet a few months ago how would I know when it’s time she told me that the fact I’m even asking means it’s getting closer.I don’t want him to suffer so I will start making a bucket list for him.

Probably one of the best videos I've ever seen on this topic. Thank you for going over each thought with accuracy, truth, and heart.

Awwww, my orange cat, Maui, was just diagnosed with a primary lung tumor too. This video is very helpful. Thank you.

Great video! This has been insightful and very helpful on an inevitability difficult and traumatic decision-making process i wish never needed to be made! Really helps, so a huge thank you 🙏 ❤️

Thank you so much for this video. I am crying as I type this... The thought of you saying goodbye to your Duncan brings up all the goodbyes I have had to say over the years. At 50 and as someone who has never been without animals that has added up to a LOT. Of course there have been some that were harder than others. Like with people we have relationships that are extra special. I have come to count the stand outs among my blessings. Like my Rough collie Jock. Officially known as Jock McTavish of Agape Farms my parents bought him when I was a baby. He and I grew up together. But our relationship was extra special ( although my brother would tell you he was his) I was blind until I was 3 and had many surgeries. I learned to walk with my hand on Joc'k's back. We lived in MN and he didnt love water but anytime I went in the lake he went in with me. But when I was 5 we moved to Oregon and the lakes got traded in for the Pacific ocean. Jock liked the beach and climbing the sand dunes with us but was still very watchful of me when it came to the waves. He was my service dog without ever being officially trained. He just naturally did all the things that I needed like guiding me away from danger. I had amazing parents but a reslly hard childhood. He was there to help me through it all. Like pretty much every dog I have ever met he hated fireworks. My family went camping over the 4th of July weekend and my parents thought he would do better at home where he could be in the house. We couldn't control what other campers did and that was before a lot of things were illegal. We had a great weekend. But, when we got home we learned that our neighbor had confused his reaction to fireworks with pain. She was our vet's receptionist. She td the vet that my mom asked her to ( she didn't) and had Jock euthanized while we were gone. It's been 38 years and I still miss him SO much! I can still hear her saying " I had him put to sleep" as if she was saying the mail was on the table when I asked her where he was. It took me a long time to forgive her. I know she was trying to do the right thing for him. I felt like she treated his life like it didn't matter at the time. We should have been the ones to make that decision and should have been with him. Rosie was supposed to be my husband's birthday present but I was a stay at home mom and she chose me. ( they choose who they choose!) She was a purebred Irish setter and she KNEW she was beautiful! We again had her through some pretty difficult life stuff. I had to have an emergency hysterectomy because I had a basketball sized tumor. She was still pretty young and I was worried that when I came home from the hospital she would jump on me. I'm not sure why because she didn't jump on people any other time but I had an 18in abdominal incision and I just didn't know how to keep her from hurting me when she was used to being with me all the time. ( EVERY animal we have had spayed since then has gotten ALL the pain meds lol) Well, I got home and she sat in the middle of the living room and watched quietly. When everything was calm ( I have 5 kids who at the time we ages 7 through 14) so us getting home was always an event. I was set up in the recliner ( it was a long time before I could lay flat) and she very slowly and carefully inched her way up. When she got near my belly she went onto the arm of the chair then slid down onto my side. (so she didn't come close to it) them she just sniffed it whined and put her head down. She only left my side to go outside or eat for the next several months . She was right there when I got the call with my path report that it was cancer. And she was with me for the next 7 years all the time. Stuck like glue. In fact her last day my husband and I were sitting in bed talking. We had just dripped the kids off at school and Rosie was sleeping between us. Suddenly the bed was soaked and niether of us knew why. Rosie kept sleeping. I realized it was urine in a big puddle around her and woke her up. When she tried to stand her back legs we limp. We weren't too worried figuring her legs would wake up. But it didn't improve and Rosie wasn't acting like herself. She knew me, her eyes found me when I talked to her but other than that she didn't really respond. We had NO money at the time. When we called the vet the decision was made that if she didn't "come back" by 4 we would let her go. I had just been having a sense for a while the time was coming but nothing really indicated it. It was just a feeling. By noon I had realized she had no sensation past her shoulders. My husband went and got the kids from school. We let them have some time just hanging out on our bed with her. We didn't make a point of telling them it was to give them time to say goodbye but they all figured out what was going on. When 3:30 rolled around she still couldn't move, or stand . We were all with her but she looked me in the eyes with those melting chocolate eyes that say I love you. Then she closed her eyes and stopped breathing. It was very calm. We were all there petting her and telling her how much we loved her. The last thing I said to her was I love you. Thank you so much for loving us. Of course I miss my girl.

My brother used their service and told me about it. I used it with both of my elderly best friends last year and it was so much easier than at the sterile vet's office. Done in the comfort of their own home in your loving lap. Well worth the cost.

Very very helpful …I have a 15 year old 7 pound maltioo and this video was very helpful💕🐶

Thank you so much for this video! It has helped me with my decision to say goodbye to my 22 year old cat. He was my baby. Your video helped me work through so many questions. You are an amazing person!

Thank you, tomorrow I'm sending my friend of 15 yrs home to be back with her mother and father in dog heaven. My wife is taking it hard as well as I am because I'm her original guardian 4 yrs before I met my wife. I retired military and dutchess was my true rock. I am going back and fourth with this now that it's 24 hrs from now that end will arrive. I can't be selfish. Pills and vet visits aren't the answer now. We've been down that road already and it bought her more time. Now her mobility is a problem. She struggles walking and she just sleeps which is normal, but I don't want her to suffer what's next for her pain. So I know it's time to let go.

How do you say goodbye when the ONLY reason is money for his diagnosis. He is happy, healthy, eats, wants to play, but his back leg suddenly paralyzed. He needs an MRÌ to be able to make a diagnostic of : an infection, a pinched nerve , a tumor. Im a senior with limited finances. If all he needs are antibiotics or therapy I could manage it. If he needs surgery....then I will have to make a decision. But ending his life now because I can't afford his MRI, how can I say goodbye to my best Buddy.... THANK YOU , DOCTOR.

YOU GOT ME REALLY GOT ME WITH “AND DUNCAN’S MOM WAS ME” AND I WAS BAWLING AT THE BUCKET LIST!!!!You see, my Cat, my first Cat, Noodle, came home one day in the morning from playing outside for breakky gave it a miss which he sometimes did, and rubbed his head for about 5 mins against my foot, later that day I found him dead, under a spare bed. No symptoms, no nothing except the love of my life (animal wise) just dead, and I haven’t been able to understand it, he was only 10 and I SO WISH I had thought to do a Bucket List, but I just didn’t know…..I just didn’t know…..

Thank you. This video has helped me so much 😢 dealing with grief now, the poetry by Kahlil Gilbran on Pain is comforting

Thank you, this really helped me be able to look at our situation a little more objectively rather than emotionally and with that I know what to do now.

Today we agreed with our vet to let our dog to sleep, 15 years labrador. He slept quietly in our arms. Before 9 months we lost our german shepard 14 years old at home. He suffered. I believe today that our decision was the right one. Enjoy your friends when you have them.

Your video is wonderful. I just put my 17.5 yo dog to sleep today. I watched this type of videos before and now I’m finding myself still looking for this after. This is the first one that mentions evaluating the toll (physical, financial and emotional) that the pet’s stage may be putting on the owners. Your content truly helps me be at peace with my decision. It was the best for my beloved life companion and now I can say for me and my family too. Thank you!

I have a 15.5yr old Corgi mix. My cousins have been saying for over a year now I need to put her down. She's been to 45 states, 4 providences of Canada, rode with me on a ferry ⛴️ to Vancouver island, BC, Canada. She has about 1.3 million miles in an 18 wheeler. Very well traveled puppy. I'm on medical leave probably never going back driving due to back injury. She has hip dysplasia & cataracts. Front legs & mind is doing good. Bathroom is a little bit of a problem at home, semi might be a different situation. She's bull headed as ever. Wants her meals ASAP. Loves fast food, riding in the semi 🚛, pickup not much. I tell her she's a farm doggie not a trucker doggie anymore. She's spoiled rotten eating farm fresh eggs in the morning with sausage, normal hamburger or chicken for dinner. Took her off dry food & her cancer is slowly shrinking. Basically keto for her

I had to say goodbye to my beloved Bailey yesterday. He was more than a dog, he was my companion, my best friend. He had congestive heart failure, diagnosed about a year and a half ago. He was in several meds. I began to notice a few weeks ago him starting to refuse his medications. It was really becoming a challenge. It seemed like his cognition was slipping. One of the meds made him pee a lot. I hadn't had a solid night's sleep since his diagnosis. Lately, he began to wake up at night struggling to breathe. His anxiety was evident. Yesterday, he absolutely refused to take his meds. I had been struggling with when to have him euthanized for weeks. Probably months, if I'm honest. I called his vet and asked to bring him in. I spent the day caring for him, giving him a bath, taking him for a walk. He loves walks but but hadn't gone on any because he was so ill. A car ride, a trip to McDonald's. His actual passing was beautiful but heartbreaking, utterly heartbreaking. 💔 He looked so beautiful. Your video has helped me tonight. I wished I had seen it sooner. The pain and loss I feel is immense but I am sure it will get better in time.

Thank you Mary. Two years ago, I came here to assess QOL for my loved Coco, my 13.5-year-old chocolate labrador diagnosed with Cushings and diabetes. It was not her time yet, as I did everything I could to take care of her, medicate her and give her quality of life. I made a bucket list then and now, she´s been diagnosed with end-stage-lymphoma and spleen cancer. A part of me wants to hold on and wait for my son to return in 8 days from the university, and my husband from his trip in 7 days, but another part knows it might be too long and too late for her. I am stuck in the dilemma of when I should let her go, this weekend or next weekend. I pray and hope I make the right decision for her and God help me and her vets to help end her suffering.

Thank you so much! I´m in this complicated process of deciding WHEN. Two months ago, my beautiful black young cat got a deadly liver disease, and the vet told us there was nothing else to do (in matters of treatment). When we received that notice, he was still kind of active, and we could not imagine how an energetic, joyful kitty would need to be euthanized. But some weeks have passed, and as you said, bad days are getting more and more often. We lived on "denial island" because we love him so much, but this is affecting us severely, both emotionally and financially. I made the QOL tests and I know he deserves a peaceful goodbye before his suffering erases all his essence. We are very sad, but the idea of him without pain comforts me more because I love him so much.

Very informative video.I had 2 put my pittie Peechie down on Dec.2022.I miss her

Thank you, Lap of Love.. I wish, I would have seen this sooner. My Mindy, a Mini Pinscher, who was a rescue dog when she was about three years old. I had to make that hard choice of putting her down yesterday, 7/31. While I did adopted her with some issues which most dogs have when they are abandoned. Mindy did progress over the 7yrs we spent together. One of those things which she struggled with year after, was Loud noises such as fireworks, which are unvoidable and is common to most dogs. The first couple of years, we would take her to Palm Springs and avoid fireworks altogether, this was helpful, because she couldn't tolerate them. She would not only run and hide, but her actions where those of being terrified. As time went on I would try different ways to help her cope with loud sounds, whenever she heard them, especially when out on a walk, I would comfort her by stopping acknowledging her reaction. which included, saying to her, " it's okay I'm here" among other tactics, which eventually paid off. This last 4th of July went surprisingly better then ever. She did not react like other years, she laid in her bed and was so calm, I couldn't believe it!! (She was ill nor acting any differently.) The fireworks where no longer a threat. This was definitely the best ever!! Mindy had a medical condition, which was diagnosed to late, after many emergencies and misdiagnosis at the end of last year, I had to wait to follow-up with her medical appointment due to the Covid-19 just recently she was diagnosed with Addison's disease, unfortunately, because of prior medication given by the Vet. She end up with ruptured intestine, which then lead to a very difficult operation to repair it, after her surgery and few nights in hospital care, she came home to us with many medications and 24hrs care. I made up my mind to be her caretaker, until she would turn the corner to full recovery. She was a fighter, I know this by the she showed it, prior to the surgery her surgeon had waited 5 hours for her blood pressure to rise, he called us after waiting with no change in her pressure, he explained her prognosis, and then suggested we come and say our goodbyes.. I hung up the phone, as we prayed and called love ones. About 15 minutes had gone by when the phone rang it was the surgeon once again, saying Mindy's pressure had rised to normal, and want to proceed with the operation, he needed our consent, we said yes!!! As her chance of recovery was 50/50 I didn't think about what to expect after bringing her home, meaning will she have bad days will she be miserable having to take 6 medication daily and how delicate would she be, more over how would her quality of life be once her recovery happen.. well, after two night one good and one very bad, I had to ask myself is she suffering, and was she in more pain? In the morning as she was seeking where to lay down, after a rough night I putter in bed with us, which she always preferred to be in her own bed, and she just wasn't a dog to cuddle with. This morning she welcome being near us in bed we all had a good sleep. This was my sign. Thank you, again..for all this helpful information. I would like to stay in contact for your services.

I cried trough the whole video Linus has a parathyroid tumor, diagnosed a year ago, and lately he’s been having more bad symptoms and I’ve been asking myself the question for about a week now,especially now that he’s starting to show signs of kidney failure. We have an appointment in two days to check his kidneys and his trachea. I just hope I’m strong enough when it’s time to call it. I’ve had him for 9+ years. Linus is my baby. It’s so hard to make the call

I should have never watched this even though i knew i needed to. My 12yo boy has laryngeal paralysis and polyneuropathy. He struggles to get up and move around and watching him decline is breaking my heart. I don't know what I'm going to do without him

Thank you so much for this video. It is painful at any stage, and in my case a long grieving period followed. It would be nice to cover this post period. So many jump and get another pet hoping to heal faster. And the new pet's presence will not heal you, so I've seen alot of these fill in pets become neglected or abandoned. My personal physician helped me be sure when I felt ready to get a new pet. Hope this made sense.

I had a Rottweiler that was 9 years old I had to put that pretty girl down she had a stroke and soiled herself all the time that sucked real bad a few years later I had to put down my chihuahua who was 18 years old I had him since he was 4 weeks he broke my heart when I had to do it now I have my pit boxer he is 14 had him since 4 weeks also he has a large tumor on his spleen back in 2017 he had major back surgery he was paralyzed in his hindend it cost me almost 10.000 to walk again thats when I learned a dog will try and do what ever it takes to please there owner but back to the spleen it turns out it is cancer which he had money years ago now that same vet wants to do surgery again for 4500 but can't garrentee he will make it thru the operations he is doing ok for now eats good drinks a lot and potties ok so we opted not to do surgery and hope he will stay ok for a while and maybe just go to sleep and not wake again he is the best dog I've ever seen we adopted our granddaughter and protects her like she has always been here we hope we made the right decision we don't want him to suffer after the surgery since it is cancer nobody know where else he has it any we hope God helps us through this it is a horrible decision to make for this loving dog when time comes I will do what I have to just don't want him to suffer I say a prayer for him everyday and nite

Thanks so much for such thoughtful, compassionate talking!!! I love my sweet Moli so much, I want the best for her, I want to let her go with dignity and love. This talk is helping me a lot to start making the decision, I cannot write it down yet, but. my heart is starting to understand Moli deserves a good quality of death as the vgood quality of life she had. I want to her to go to rest in her home, in our arms surrounded by her world. I am making the bucket list, my sweet Moli is 16 years young, she is my longest relationship, she is my daughter with tails. She rescued me when she was 2 months old. We moved together to the US from Argentina ten years ago, she had a lot of amazing adventures!! She is.a blessings to us. We love her so much!!!! Thanks for your kind work, thanks for making me understand beyond my human racionalization of "what is to wait to the right time" . I want my sweet Moli to transcend. 🙏🏼💐💗

I love you Ginger. First time u made me feel how to be a dad. I will miss you a lot. Thanks for being there for me when i am having bad times. Will never forget u ❤

I had to euthanize my rescue dog Samson in April only a week after celebrating his “gotcha day”. He had a reaction to his vaccinations and rapidly declined despite a blood transfusion. It all happened so quickly and I struggled with guilt afterwards because when he was getting the sedative it seemed he got anxious and he backed away like he didn’t want it. Those last moments have been hard for me to relive. I do think I made the best decision though because he was having trouble breathing and I could see he was uncomfortable/ suffering and I promised I would never let him suffer. I just try now to focus on the love and memories we shared for the past 12 years together. I always knew he was my angel. I miss him so much

I've had to make this decision several times. Every time I find myself searching for resources to reassure me that Im doing the right thing. It seems that my pets have always rallied a day or 2 before we say goodbye, and I always feel so guilty.

This video really helped me. Thank you so much. I have a 15 year old yorkie and I'm struggling.

Thank you. I feel like I'm coming to this point with my 13 year old baby girl. Its breaking my heart.

Such a beautiful and compassonate video. My 14 1/2 old Labradoodle had two seizures yesterday and I'm quickly thrust into figuring out next steps. This video really helps to understand this painful process. Thank you.

I needed this so badly. Thankyou so much, for explaining it so easily . I feel much better now.

Doing it this week for the fourth time n still sucks but it’s our job for the unconditional luv they give you

I have had a guilt this past 2 weeks that I wasn't doing enough for my fur baby Katie Cat. After 12 years and having no health issues, she declined rapidly. Thank you for helping me see that I wasn't just making this choice for me, but to give her the most peaceful transition that I could. I know in my heart, she was ready and had a beautiful last day with us. Always and Forever in my heart.

I said goodbye to my best friend pet yesterday morning (10/01/2022 at 6 am) and I was very sad and devastated.😭

I have also seen an angel, 3 weeks after Mom passed away in my home. I awoke at about 1 am. I saw a full angel, hovering over me. I sat up and the angel backed up, floated to my husband's side of the bed, and turned, and as it turned, it disappeared. I felt more peace and serenity, than I had felt in my whole life. I just felt at peace, and totally calm. I remembered looking at the clock and wondering how I was going to get up for work, but I closed my eyes and it felt like instantly asleep. When the alarm went off on the morning I hopped out of bed, got ready for work, and calmly told him about the angel. He said, so you think it was Mom? I said, no, but perhaps she sent it to check on us. That feels right.

Thank you for your video it was very informative, and covered a lot of ground.i have two small dogs,and they have been with me for about 14 yrs.I can tell that you too are a compassionate dog person.thanks,God Bless

Thank you for all the tips for the most difficult time of owning a pet. My dog of 14 years died suddenly in hospital. I was not present when she passed. It still haunts me today three years later thinking about how she died wihtout me being present. I still cry when I think of her. She was a beautiful Basenji

Thank you so much for sending this message. My very senior dog has run into some substantial heart troubles that required emergency medical intervention, and has caused obvious lasting discomfort and distress that, so far, medication changes have not alleviated. I've been feeling guilty for wanting to do what I know is best, even though she still has some positive quality of life. I like your bucket list idea. Thank you for your support.

My pug is 15 has horrible coughing fits due to an enlarged heart and collapsing trachea. This video was very helpful, thank you.

My sweet girl has Cushing Syndrome and she's had it over 3 years. She is in the last stages and sometimes forgets who I am and yes shows fear and confusion at times. She never forgets my husband who has been a certified vet tech for 42 years and rescued her from a puppy mill. She has always been his girl. He sees her little body, the changes but can't bring himself to admit it's time. I am so not looking forward to the serious talk we need to have.

My dog has Dilated Cardiomyopathy like Dunkin and he may have Lar Par. We did not want to take the risk of sedating him or doing surgery for it since is already 14. We are going to have to decide soon what to do for our boy Sneaky. His cough has gotten really bad, especially at night so the Cardiologist prescribed him Hydrocodone 2 tabs 5 mg each every 12 hrs. He also takes Gabapentin which knocks him out with the combo of both. He sleeps most of the time now so I feel like he is slowly fading. I really hate giving him that much Hydrocodone but when I cut back the cough gets worse and am worried he will faint. I really don’t know at this point.

Thank you for this! I have struggled since I learned my vet told me Bailey has Kidney failure in additional to ongoing heart failure. I decided last week we were done. No more suffering. I did not want him to go into another more serious respiratory distress episode. I am letting him go on June 21

There is never a good time.

Wow! Ive watched so many videos and by super far this video is the best ever in the world! You are so intelligent. Im on denial island. My dog and family are struggling for so long.

My dog has a hernia that's not getting better and I don't have the money to do the surgery and so it's the most humane thing I can do for him we have done stool softeners and gone to canned food but he's now passing blood in his stools so it's time to say goodbye it's hard but it's best for him plus he has a heart murmur

My sweet cat passed 2 weeks ago from lymphoma. I knew since the middle of April that she had only a few months. Right now I'm struggling with whether I robbed her of time she had left. On her last day she was unable to take but 1 or 2 steps and she didn't have the strength to poop. My mind is a battlefield right now...more so because of grief. I miss her so terribly much.

By far one of the most comprehensive, informative, and HELPFUL videos I've seen. It seems most people focus only on the quality of life of the pet, but no one even asks about the owner/caregiver's quality of life. The video covered that and many more questions/struggles we have been dealing with for months, for our pet AND for us. We are more concrete now in knowing we are doing the right thing by euthanizing our buddy/protector before he gets any worse and showing him one last act of love.

You are amazing! I am so thankful to be able to watch this video! Thank you for caring so much ♥️ ❤️ 💜

Thank you so much, my shih tzu Luna has breast cancer and lots of pain with her teeth, she also has dementia, almost blind and can't hear well. She is turning happy 16th in January 25th 2022, I struggle because some nights she can't sleep and complain of pain, I give her CBD that helps sooo much but also makes her sleepy so that is all she does and when she is not on cbd she complains but other days she is wagging her tail, running in my backyard and licking her little yorkie sister so I don't want to cut her life shorter than what she was suppossed to live but also I it hurts me seeing her so uncomfortable and in pain. So this helps a lot, this is going to be the hardest decision of my life. Hope God helps me knowing when to do it. 💚⚘

I don’t know how I’m supposed to live without my best friend of the last 14 years, my whole adult life. My first baby. I keep going back and forth, but I know she’s not herself anymore.

We had to make the decision for our 13 year old American Eskimo, Nanuk aka Nookie this week. We are devastated and miss him so much but know his sweet little heart was just tired and we didn’t want him or us to have to see him suffer or struggle to breath at the end. He was my shadow and best friend and he was such a stoic little trooper during the time he had to take 2 heart meds and day and had scary episodes for us and him in between. Thank you for what you do and for these videos! They have been a great comfort to me and a reminder that we gave our sweet boy not only a good life, but also a peaceful transition.😭♥️ And I’m so sorry about your sweet Duncan!💜

I thought id know when it is time & it was more about coming home to find him stuck on his side from his huge tumor for 8 hours 2 days in a row. On pain meds, he still ate, drank, sought out & enjoyed treats & affection, fastidiously groomed himself etc. But he couldnt take even 2-3 steps in a straight line without falling over (& sometimes getting stuck). He couldnt sit or lie or sleep comfortably. He ended up crossing his back legs to the front & his front legs-paws to the back next to his hips-like an x. Very unusual & looked uncomfortable. I feel like i killed my literal human child. One who came from an abusive background who accidentally jumped into my life who trusts no one but trusted me nearly immediately. I know the logic of youd be a better parent/friend if you let/fought for someone to go if they were not feeling well & werent going to get better, only worse. But it feels gut-wrenching. Its literally heartbreaking because you loved them so much, it means the love was very special.

I just had to schedule an appointment for my 8 year old cat Ripley because of a cancer in her cheek. It has been spreading and affecting her nose recently. I knew when she starting to struggle to breath through her nose and had a tongue out of mouth to sleep that I needed to call. It was a hardest phone call I have had to make. I think having to decide a date to never see your loved one again is one of the worst emotional pains I have felt. I have broken down multiple times today just wishing there was a way to save my little cat. I am now counting time I have with her. I know I don't want her to experience suffocation. I know its the right call. Its just hard. Thank you for the video. You talking about breathing being a big one has helped me think I am making the right call. As well as the roller coaster of good and bad days. Today, while I had to call the appointment, she is having a good day. I am still back and forth in my head about it all, there is some comfort that this is a normal experience roller coaster of good and bad days. Much love to anyone else out there experiencing the same.

Thank you so much! I've been at a lost as to HOW to make a decision. It's very kind of you to share your story to help others know they are not alone. You've given me lots of food for thought and have set me on the right path.

Thank you for making this video. 🙏🏽💜

My big friendly boy, Titan has just been diagnosed as having multiple mast cell tumours. They were unable to operate on the large ulcerated tumour due to the multiple other smaller ones coming up in the same area. They said thay steroids will work for a short time from a few weeks to a couple of months when they will come back with a vengeance. Hes 11 years old and has been my best friend, my first fur son of my own since he was 8 weeks old (o axrually visited him right after he was born). He had a chest xray and confirmed the cancer hasnt spread to any organs, however the tumours themselves can turn very nasty. He is weak on his hind end, but he is still loving his walks, loving food, loving his toys and being his usual happy self. I don't want to say goodbye prematurely if he is still loving life, but at the same time i don't want him to get to the stage where he is covered in ulcerated tumours (currently only one is ulcerated). I just don't know what to do. Heartbroken and needing some advice. 💔

Got an appointment for my 18 year old jack russel terrier feels like i'm doing something wrong. But i know she's not happy anymore she's deaf almost blind most of the days she's confused and not herself anymore.

I loved you MIA and will never forget you, miss you so so much. I wish you were still hear with me. Thank you for all the good times we shared.

I lost my 12 yr old beagle/cavalier mix this past Saturday to congestive heart failure. I felt a lot of guilt for having to make that decision, I wanted her to go on her own so it’s been tough for me. I miss her terribly and wish she could’ve had a better end.

I'm on denial island. I think it's time for the bucket list n planning who will be there. 😢thank you for helping me. This will be a very hard day for me

I'm putting my girl to sleep in two days time after her battle with degenerative myelopathy. I'm devastated and have been feeling all of the emotions since we made the decision last week and this video is helping me accept that it's time. Thank you for making this video ❤

I went through the extreme guilt of not being able to afford to treat my little Chihuahua's congestive heart failure. She was suffering and struggling to breathe, and we had to say goodbye.

This video helped me make the difficult decision to euthanize my sweet poodle Keely 10 days ago. Thank you for this excellent video. The video idea really helped make the decision. We did a very minimal bucket list which was helpful.

in 2 weeks, I will remember my 1st bullie that was on the sad side of a wrongful death situation from a new vet I used. She had a tooth pulled, came out of surgery like always but the staff left her alone after 10 minutes to dash off to lunch. I believe she was not given water thus causing her dry throat walls to stick together and suffocate her. It was not her time to go. It was pure neglegnce which the state vet board concluded. Just gave the vet a slap on the hand saying, retake your training when sedating an animal. For the next 8 months, her sissy and I would have to grieve so hard. Every time she went outside, she would just start into the distance, thinking of sister. She is the one I would have to say good bye to this past March. I had never put an animal down. Watching how she would stop breathing, very heavy and seizures on a regular basis. Yes, it was time. The last two babies I willl remember them for my lifetime.

What an informative video. Im looking for advice as i have to think about naking the decision. Im still struggling but this video gave me a lot more to think about and it made me realise that i think it is time, i iust hate being in the position of having to make the choice. Whikst for the nost part she can still walk, she can only fo short walks, her body only allows for that, but her mind and her spirit still wants to go on longer walks. Amd ehilst she can do short walks, she is most likely in quite a lot of pain. Animals bring so much joy and love and it sucks ehen they get old, sick or injured and we have to make this decision

I have a female cockapoo 16 years old. Her kidney is shutting down. I'm giving her IV fluids daily for the rest of her life. She also shakes tremors or seizures and her back legs give out and she falls down. She is suffering. She knows she has to say goodbye with eyes she gives me. I'm tired of seeing her not feeling well. At night or when asleep she has shallow breathing. I don't want her to suffer. She also can't eat protien and the IV Fluids are what allowed her to start eating again but she has acid in her stomach so the vet gave her aluminum Hydroxide Gel. She so gets nauseous and tired.

Thank you so very much!!! Our family really needed this. You are a saint.

Thank you! This video was so helpful and thoughtful. I now know it’s ok to put my darling cat to sleep.

The second 2 of the 4 I'm talking about Miesha was our 7 year old GSD she detected and pulled my son out of seizures, licked my daughter's head when she had a migraine and it went away, licked her abdomen when she had a large ovarian cyst and it went away too. She did those things all the time. We all belive that she was a healing dog and that's not something we had ever believed in before. But in Feb of 2015 she suddenly started limping. I checked her feet and didn't see a problem so I took her to our vet. He said her hip seemed sore so try and keep off het feet as much as possible for a week or 2 and bring her back if she didn't get better. I bought a couple memory foam dog beds 1 I placed in front of the fireplace and the other floated around the house to wherever we thought she needed . She loved sleeping in front if the fire. It took until March to be able to schedule her in again. Our vet was completely booked so she saw the other vet in the clinic. She did labs and x-rays. They showed that she had an aggressive form of cancer. Because she was a GSD and they are already prone to hip issues and the chances were high it wouldn't help anyway we decides not to amputate. That palative care was the best route. We could take good care of her at home, manage her pain with medication, and give her lots of love and the best time left. My oldest 2 were away at school and came home to spend some time with her. In the midst of this we also had a dog that we had been dog sitting whose owner abandoned him with us He bit my daughter bad enough for ER. The county said we had to quarenteen him for 30 days then euthanized and have a necropsy done . We finally reached his owner and she said in 9 years he had NEVER seen a vet! So no rabies vaccine but its not very common locally. He was with us a total of 6mo. Aaccirding to the cointy after 30 days he became ours. We learned there was nobody local to do the necropsy and we would have to pay for that too. So we didn't do the necropsy. Our vet thought he probably had a brain tumor that was common with his breed after Miesha was diagnosed we spent lots of time loving on her and being loved on in return. We have tons of pictures and videos. I took daily pictures of the tumors on her legs as they grew. By the end the one on her hip was the size of a melon and the one on her foot the size of a walnut. They think that it started from. A bone chip and her body sent cells to fight it and they developed a tumor that eventually became malignant. She was 13mo when we got her and had been abused. But we all cherished our time with her ( of course there is never enough) My daughter and I took Pootie in on May 9th . We knew the time had come for poor Miesha. and we had probably waited too long but none of us wanted to day goodbye.Everyone wanted to be here too Every morning I would ask her when I woke up if she was doing OK or if she'd had enough. On May 12 just 3 days after Pootie Miesha gave me "The look". So we all 7 took her in with her dog bed that she had loved so much from in front of the fire . ( we buried her with it) We gathered around her and talked to her as she went She was ready but we were not. I don't think we ever really are. I have experienced that with family members too. But now my sweet daughter is having to make the decision for the dog that started out as just a sweet adorable border collie puppy but quickly became so much more. We knew right away how smart she was. Ari is legally blind. ( unrelated to my vision problems) Takara ( which means treasure in Japanese) as a puppy started leading her around obstacles like cracks in the sidewalk or a toy left unattended.) For her senior project Ari decided to learn more about what it takes to actually get a dog trained and certified to be a service dog. We see so many people with dogs wearing service dog vests that are obviously NOT real service dogs ( I k ow several people who have been btten by so caed "service dogs" With NO provication!) SO Ari met with a local lady who was a dog trainer, groomer and animal behavioralist.. the lady helped Ari and I work with Takara. We learned that the process normally takes about 2 years and starts with very young puppies. Takara was 3 years old and in 2 months was able to be certified! Of course she started out with basic obedience and had been naturally doing a lot of the things. But she was able to go off to college with Ari. In 2019 Ari and I were involved in a serious car accident. Takara was on her lap when the van rolled 5x and was ejected. She ran to the farm house down the toad presumably to get help.... doing her job! A couple months later I noticed that she had been acting strange so I was really paying attention. She actually seemed like she was using echo location. She would kind of yip and listen when she entered a room. We took her to the vet and learned that she was almost completely blind. I think her head was hit in the accident. But blind or not she is still the sweet amazing girl she always has been. She just can't be Aris service dog any more. (She's kinda old now too. She will turn 11 later this year). She has always taken care of Ari and everyone who has ever met her has loved her. Her name fits she is a treasure. But her body is shutting down I think. She has suddenly put on a lot of weight and looks like sausage.it so seems to hurt her to touch her at all sometimes. She is on pain meds because when Ari took her to the vet to find out what was going on they didn't do anything to figure it out. They just are treating the symptoms ( over $500 for 2 dogs to be examined and get monthly flea meds and Allergy and pain meds for Takara. No testing. Takara doesn't chase her ball anymore and is worn out any time she eats, goes out,anything so she jist lays around. A few months ago she was like any other. Border collie and would chase her ball til she collapsed. (That of course is well past arms feeling like they will fall off from throwing said ball. I got her a special ball that glows in the dark and whistles. She was able to see it it longer and could hear where it was going so she could still chase it) Now she's lethargic most of the time. She looks like it's retained water. Poor puppy has always had medical issues and she hasn't helped herself with her joy of eating underwear. Ari doesn't live close enough to use the vet that has always seen Takara but doesn't trust the guy that acted like he couldn't be bothered. She needs someone who will be kind and respectful when the time comes. She knows it's coming but is praying it won't be before she can find a better vet. Takara deserves to be taken care of like the treasure she is. It is going to be so hard for our whole family when the time comes. We all love her so much. I took notes while watching this video and will direct Ari to your website. I have told the story of just 4 of the amazing dogs that I have been blessed to love. I didn't say about my cats. There haven't been as many cats but they were very loved too. It hurts so much to say goodbye but the joy they give us far outweighs anything else.

Thank you so much. In February, we said goodnight to our Girl, she was almost ,15 and the last of our pack of 5 Border Collies. It is always a difficult decision but I knew that it was time to say goodbye. She had a comfy bed, yes and are her food but didn't get of her comfy bed much, only to eat and see outside and even that was getting a chore so, on that day, I took her to see our vet of ,32 yrs and he confirmed what I didn't want to hear but knew......that it was time and that her mobility was soo very bad now. I said goodbye to my Flossy and cried and still cry, for all of them but I knew that it was right for her. She was dignified and kind to the end and I miss her, all of my Collies soo very much. We have a 10mnth old Golden Retriever now called Sonny. He brought light where there was dark ess but still I yearn for my beloved Collies but not the way they were. Nell. Our first had bowel cancer and died in her sleep......Gwenny had lung cancer and was waited too long a decision I will always regret, Finn had dementia and we knew when it was time. Cariad had a heart condition and it was a shock cos she was normal in the morning, going in n out, ate breakfast and then a snooze..... It came suddenly, the yelping then the stillness although still with us, we got the vet to come asap......we said goodbye at 11.20 that Saturday morning and then Floss who was close to her sister and mourned, less than a yr and she too had left us......I will always watch and do what is best for them and then I will cry for my loss of they're beauty and love. Thank you for telling me that I was right to do this. Much love and gentle hugs from me Tanya and my Sonny. Xx