I can't do it

Then if your heart knows it's not time, it's not. My heart goes out to you and Liz. It is such a sad and painful time and I will be praying that Kirby, when it is time, will go peacefully.

oh my gosh I have a lump in my throat. Please let me know if I can do anything for you! PM me if you want my cell number again.

We are so sorry to hear this. I think you'll know when the time is right. My husband was not a man who cried, but when he had to have our 15 year old cocker spaniel put down, he sobbed uncontrollably. Sammy was the best dog there ever was.

I think this is the hardest decision anyone can make. As long as he's not suffering then just pray that God will take Kirby when He is ready.

I'm so sorry, Debbie. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. I had to make the decision for my chow because he had cancer. Somehow, I knew in my heart it was time to let him go. I can't tell you how I knew, I just did. If Kirby gets to that point, you will know for sure. It sounds like he still has some happy moments to live though.

I'm so sorry, it's such a tough decision to have to make. You'll know it's time when the bad outweighs the good for him. It sounds like it's not quite that time yet. Give Liz a hug from me, I'm sure she is really upset as well.

Hey, have you thought about getting Kirby some wheels? I'm not kidding- at his age, he might have arthritis (did I spell that correctly?) or DM- degenerative mylopathy I believe is how it's spelled. At any rate, those dogs in wheels love their life- go to corgiaid.org to find out how to get a wheel'chair' for Yoda. Wheels for Corgis might be able to help too, but I'm not sure of their contact info- it'll be on the corgiaid site.

BTW, Charlie does that random panting thing too. No idea what prompts that...

Hey, I also sometimes pant for no reason at all. Maybe it's a Corgi thing?

I'm so sorry for you and your family. What a terrible decision to have to make. I just lost a 10-year-old Greyhound to bone cancer a couple of weeks ago, and I knew it was time when she couldn't get comfortable any longer. Kirby will let you know when it's "time." In many cases, letting them go is the hardest but the most loving gift we can give to them.

Debbie,
I am so sorry. You are better than me. I was in complete denial with Champ up until the day he coughed up blood. He was panting all the time, too. It's never easy and you can't prepare for it. But you can get lots of pictures with him for now and make an album. I think that our dogs endure a lot more pain than we do just so they can be with us. They don't know what's on the other side, like we do. He loves you, how could he not? You and Liz are his most favorite things. I, too, will have you and your family in my prayers.

Gee...there are 3 of us with bad hind legs...Kirby, Nelson-foster and Me!

Don't worry Kirby...I can't use stairs for 6 weeks. I know you will be around when my 6 weeks are up.

I'm so sorry Debbie. It does sound like Kirby is still enjoying the simple things in life right now, just at a slower pace. I think Judi has some good ideas about getting him some wheels. Let us know if there's anything you need us to do.

Oh Debbie, my heart goes out to you and Liz and Keith. I say go with your heart on this one. If you know in your heart it's not time, then it's not time. Trust that the Lord will either take Kirby when it's time or that He will clearly let your heart know when it's time. ((hugs))

PS. I know I'll be exactly the same way when this inevitable thing happens to my dogs.

None of my animals has ever died naturally. Sigh. It is terribly hard, but you will really know when the right time comes. I think it is something really great animal caretakers know.

thinking of you.

I'm so sorry your family is hurting. Watching our pups grow old and frail is undeniably the hardest thing we face as parents to our furkids. Please know that we are thinking of you and your beautiful family.

OH, Debbie, I'm sorry to hear that Kirby is failing, but I agree that it sounds like he still has a good quality of life.
I have been through this many times, and it is just one of the hardest things to do, but a great gift to them as well. You will know when it is time, and you are teaching Liz such valuable things about unconditional love and loss and caring.
Many hugs to all of you.

Debbie-

We'll be praying for you, Liz and all the family. Kirby is a tough old man. Love- Mama T and ETB

L: I've had both ways and I don't think either is easier....less guilt when it's natural but (possibly) less pain when it's not. Your heart knows... and Kirby will speak to you in his way... they always do.

when the time is right, Kirby will let you know. I've been through this same situation and its never easy. you should find out if the vet will come to your house if you have to make the decision for Kirby, it would be easier for all of you...hugs to you and your family.

I will be praying for you Debbie and your family. I can't even imagine what you are going through right now. It breaks my heart to read this post. I know I have never met Kirby, but through IP I feel like I know him so well. When the time comes for me to make that decision, I don't know waht I would do. Saying goodbye is hard no matter the circumstance.

Sorry that you, and Liz, and, of course, Keith are going thru this with Kirby. It's never an easy decision. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I always pray that mine die peacefully in their sleep too.

I totally understand what you are going thru, my thoughts will be with you and your family. You will know when it is time.

I am sorry to hear about Kirby. I've recently had Jinx gone missing..I know the heartache. Just pray that Kirby isn't suffering and you'll make the right decision when it comes time.

Bless all

I am so sorry....I pray that my dogs live forever or die in their sleep during old age...I know this is the worst feeling in the world. You are in my prayers...

Two years ago I thought I was going to have to put mycat down. IVEC said she needed a blood transfusion or she would die within a week. Since she had been poked and prodded for months prior, I made the decision that it was time to let nature takes its course - and that should she seem uncomfortable I would take her to my vet so she could go peacefully. I blogged it on here that night...crying my eyes out. And it was everyone's comments and encouragement that made me feel so much more at peace with my decision.

My cat's "one week left to live" is now going on a happy two years later. Once we tok her off the meds, etc, she became a happy cat again.