The Hardest Part of Loving a Pet 
We know when the time is near but we worry that we're giving up too early—maybe there are still a few good weeks left. Or we worry we've waited too long and our pet is suffering more than we realized.​
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There's No Perfect Moment
There are so many factors that can inform our decision. Both the physical and the emotional health of the pet AND the owner who is caring for them need to be looked at. We can remember that we are very fortunate that we CAN make this decision for our pets. The exact moment may not be known but rather we can use a window of time that feels right.
 
What to Look For
Label each day on your calendar with "good day" or "bad day." Are there more bad days than good days now?
List 5 things they are interested in today. These might be things like: watching the birds through the window, greeting you at the door, sleeping quietly in their favorite bed or getting excited when they hear the treat cabinet open.
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Questions To Ask
Is your pet eating and drinking enough?
Can they get up and move? Or are they falling, struggling, unable to stand?
Are they unable to get comfortable even while taking pain medication?
Do they still seem interested in being with you? Or have they withdrawn?​
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​Getting Some Help
You can ask your family or a close friend to help or we can talk it through. You don't have to make this decision completely alone.