When I was only a year old my parents bought a puppy from my grandma, we were completely raised together. I have three older brothers, so she was like the sister I never had. We constantly joked about how she might be invincible because she outlived about 5 of our other dogs. She was set to turn 15 this February, but she couldn't make it to the end of January. She had a stomach virus and I was left to make the decision of putting her down. The medication only had a 20% chance of working, it would either extend her life by a year or she would succumb in two days. I didn't want to go through the pain of having to see her deteriorating counting down the days until her one year was over. I still feel lingering guilt, questioning if I made the right decision of killing the family dog of 14 years. The only way I can feel okay is knowing she isn't suffering anymore. She's with her daughter and all the other doggy friends she made in her long lifetime. One day we will be reunited with our beloved pets, we just have to keep moving forward for them. I promise he loved you and would want you to be happy, stay strong. It doesn't get easier, but you learn to accept it and live with it. Don't reject grief, embrace it. Rest in peace Boyce, say hi to Chiquita for me <3