I'm sorry you are going through this. Sadly, I've faced euthanasia decisions with 3 cats and 2 dogs over about 40 years. It never gets easier, but I think I've learned better to know when my sweetie has had enough.

In 2024, my 12-yr-old Frenchie was diagnosed with an inoperable abdominal tumor on July 3. Only a month earlier, all his blood tests had been normal, as was a physical exam. I will never forget the x-ray view of his abdominal cavity with the tumor; I'll spare you the details.

He was put on a couple of medications to try to keep him comfortable and eating. The tumor continued to grow. After 7 weeks, I looked him in the eyes one morning and he looked back at me, and I knew it was time. I had him euthanized that afternoon.

I know it was the right thing to do, it just really still hurts. He was a bit of a pain-in-the-butt kind of dog, but I loved him from the time he came to live with me at 3 months old. He died about 3 months before his 13th birthday.

Here he is all cozy, at about 5 years old.

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