Dogs

Thank you 🙏

Your boy is also gorgeous, they'll make a striking duo ❤️ I will have you in my thoughts tomorrow, sending you strength and support.

I've had and lost a few other dogs, but it hurts just as bad each time. I do know it was his time, but it's so tough when they still have that youthful glint in their eyes. Just grateful that my clinic does at home visits, so he got to go at home with his other animal companions, favorite people, as cozy as possible.

Thank you 🙏 Been crying on and off for the 3 days leading up to today, surprised I have any tears left to shed. And indeed they will, he was such a great, loyal dog. And a hairy one, too, I think I will find tufts of his hair around my place for as long as I stay here. Hairstorm was his special power ❤️

Thank you 🙏 he really was extravagant, and especially in his old age always cozied up nearby. Gonna miss those old boy snores.

Thank you 🙏

I'd say I agree with the other commenter. You know your girl best and will be able to tell if she is still happy and able to live her life in a fulfilling way. From what you mentioned, it sounds like she is still able to do the things she loves with you without undue difficulty ❤️

With Juneau, even though he was still happy to see me and his other favorite people, enjoyed barking at squirrels while he meandered about his yard, still wanted to play fetch, good appetite, strong heart, all the same spirit was there, but I knew his physical body was failing him. It was primarily his hips and back legs. He had similar hip problems as your girlie and while they had been manageable for a long time, I'd say in the past several months the muscles in his hindquarters were becoming very weak which really changed his ability to live at his own liberty. He was having trouble lifting his hips up off the ground and the amount of time that he could spend up doing what he liked was waning quickly. Especially toward the end when he did stand he was a bit wobbly and unstable with his hind legs so he could only spend so much time up before having to rest again. In the last couple weeks, I could tell just getting up to drink water, eat his meals, or get out to the yard was more challenging than it ought to be. I know he was still objectively happy with his companions and all the extra time I spent petting him, but he had always been an independent dog (part Pyrenees so while he loved his people/pack, he still greatly valued his space and autonomy) and that independence was pretty much gone.

I hope you and Delia have as much good time together as you can, give her some extra snuggles and snacks for me ❤️

Not OP but been thru this a ton of times cause I love dogs more than humans 😄. I dunno if you're gonna get a good answer here. Every situation is different, every person is different, and every dog is different. The best way I've been able to describe knowing when it's time is simply when it pains me to see my little dude/dudette just simply live. If they struggle just to get up each day or can't eat without vomiting or any number of maladies that make living more of an ordeal than I'm comfortable putting them thru, it's time. Life shouldn't be a punishment, especially for those little bundles of pure happiness. Its terrible and it's incredibly hard but I think most people end up just instinctively knowing the moment. Dogs (and even the few cats I've had) have a unique bond with their owners I think, and when that bond is strained to the point of breaking, you can just sorta feel it. Course, like I said, everyone is different and approaches the situation differently. Unfortunately i don't think there's an easy answer. For what it's worth, just from the sound of it, it seems to me like Delia has some fight in her yet and still enjoys her days.

My kitties are 4 and I can reliably make myself cry by thinking about them crossing the bridge. Very sorry for your loss OP.

It means a ton, thank you 🙏