Pets

He did well to make it to 10! Wow! Ours only made it to 6 before developing stomach cancer.

Does he still eat?

We have had to make the decision for many pets, one as recently as last month. He stopped eating just the day before, although he had been slowing down. He spent a lot of time in his little "house" when we weren't with him, but he always came out for cuddles and visits. That morning, he was in his house, butt out. He didn't even have the strength to turn around and face out. That was our clue. The strange thing was that he never looked sick like some of the others did. Except for his behavior and not eating, he looked healthy. My husband wanted to get blood work and x-rays done, but the vet said they wouldn't tell us anything we didn't already know. He had been in kidney failure for 2 years and it didn't matter what else was going on at that point.

I wouldn't know how to describe how you will know, except to say that you will. He might stop eating or have a pained look in his eyes. Maybe he won't be able to make it up the stairs. Maybe he won't be able to go outside. Whatever it is, you'll know.

My heart goes out to you. I know the pain, both of the loss and wanting so much to get it right.