thanks for this post. I just brought my dog to the vet yesterday; she's 15, has had a good long life, and is now panting, bad hips, in pain and may have cancer.

I brought her home for a few days to try the painkillers and see how she does...but I know it my heart it's just time.

I did not take the vet up on her offer to do bloodwork, steroid treatments and chemo. I'd only be doing it for myself.

Right now, Ladybug is asleep at my feet, dreaming like a puppy. I'll miss her very much.

It is the hardest thing in the whole world. My cat died at a very advanced age, I wish I had been a stronger person and taken her to be put down about a week or so before she died on her own - but I just couldn't do it.....denial and hoping that she would get better. How dumb is that.