I am a 30 year old woman. For all of my adulthood, I had a yellow labrador who was to turn 13 in May 2012. The vet told me after feeling her organs, an ultrascan then operating that she had a large mass which was cancer & smaller tumours everywhere. I was responsible for ending her life & I carry so much guilt, because I know for a fact that she did not want to leave me. She held on no matter how sick she was & was fighting it just to be with me. I wish she would send me a sign to let me know she understands it was so she didnt suffer any more & forgive me.

Dear Lee,

I am so sorry for what you are going through. I understand what you are feeling because I am going through the exact same thing. My dear Sweetie - an 8 1/2 year old Akita Shepherd mix, was diagnosed with inoperable spinal osteosarcoma on Wednesday and they sent me home with her telling me it will be just a matter of days or weeks at best. I know what you mean about trying to look for the signs. One moment, she is struggling in obviously excrutiating pain to get up and can't put any weight down on her leg, then somehow, she walks it out a bit and we go for a walk outside and she seems relatively o.k. Her apetitie is still good. But there are definite signs she's not o.k. too - she doesn't play anymore, she can't follow me around, she's in too much pain to get in the car for the car rides she used to love so much. The day is coming soon but like you said - how do you know??? I feel your pain. I don't wish this on anyone and wish I could take your horrible decision away from you; I wish someone would take this away from me.

Know that I'm praying for you and all the people who have to go through this. We love our animals so much and the price we pay for that is the pain we feel when we lose them. I just wish it didn't have to hurt so much.