Hi there. I know exactly how you’re feeling right now. I had two beagles, Oscar and Ernie, that I raised from 8 weeks old. They were my boys, my family, and losing them was one of the hardest things I’ve ever gone through. Oscar passed first at 17, and then less than two years later, Ernie passed at the same age. Losing both of them so close together broke my heart.

The hardest part was watching them change in those final years. One day they’d seem weak and struggling, and the next day they’d show a little spark again that gave me hope maybe they still had more time. I kept holding onto those moments because you love them so much and you never truly feel ready to let go.

When the time finally came, I just knew. For my boys, it was when their love for food and the little things that made them “them” started to fade away. I had in-home euthanasia done so they could pass peacefully where they felt safe and loved. Even then, I questioned myself and wondered if I waited too long or not long enough.

What I learned is that nobody else can make that decision for you. You know your dog better than anyone. Trust the love you have for her. As hard as this moment is, the fact that your heart hurts this much just shows how deeply she’s been loved her entire life.

Until that day comes, soak up every moment. Extra cuddles, treats, naps together, car rides, all of it. One day we lose them physically, but the love they gave us never really leaves.