[B]Hi I have a 15 year old Pomeranian who isn't doing too well. He has a brain tumor and has seizures. Sometimes he can't even walk down the stairs.He has arthritis and the vet said he's in pain when we walks because his kneecaps have shifted I don't want to cause him to suffer. From that descriptions is it time to let him go?:(:(:(:(

I am so sorry that you are facing this decision. I think when we make a decision like that it is not only the most difficult decision we must make, but we have to really feel like it is the right one. Let me tell you my story...

I lost my best friend, my Sam (Samantha), in September, 2005. She was a much loved therapy dog, but contracted severe kidney failure and wasn't eating hardly anything, her fur was falling out in handfuls, and some days she had a terrible time walking. I took her in to the vet and asked him if it was time. He asked me to try one more thing over the weekend, promised me that she wouldn't suffer needlessly and if he felt that she was he would call me and tell me. I agreed. She improved a little so on Monday evening I brought her home.

By Tuesday night I realized that I was being selfish... hanging on to her to avoid pain myself. I feel that dogs (and cats) by nature tend to NOT show us their pain. Their survival instincts won't allow them to seem weak until they just can't hide it anymore. If this is true, then I was allowing my gal to suffer incredibly... and that was the last thing I wanted for such a loyal, loving companion. She slept in my arms that night on the bed, I talked to her and loved her almost all night long. First thing in the morning I called the vet and said it was time to release her. They told me to bring her right in.

When we walked into the office, Sam usually headed straight to the waiting room. This day, however, she walked straight into the examination room, where they had placed a comforter on the floor anticipating our arrival. Sam walked straight in there, curled up on the comforter and looked up at me as if to say, "This is the right thing to do.". Someone came and told me they would give me 10 minutes with her before the vet came in and shut the door. I laid on the blanket with her and talked to her as I pet her. She stared into my eyes as if to say, "It's okay... it's time." The nurse came in and told me that because Sammy's veins were somewhat difficult ones at the best of time, they would put in an IV. She put it in very quickly. She left and the vet came in. He got down on the floor with Sam and hugged her, pet her, talked to her with tears in his eyes. He asked me to tell him when I was ready and I said right now, please. I just don't want her to suffer anymore.

He attached the syringe to her butterfly and we both loved her and talked to her while he slowly injected the anaesthetic. She slowly drifted off to sleep, as I laid beside her looking into her eyes and telling her I loved her. The vet left the room telling me to take all the time I required.

I miss Sam almost as much as I miss my deceased husband. She was my life - my sanity. After my husband died she consoled me and loved me like no human being could. She taught our Bernese Mountain Dog pup the house rules before she moved on. I miss her so much... but I have never regretted my decision.

Is it time to let your boy go? You know in your heart... you are the only one who really knows. I say, follow your heart.

Hugs, Didi

If he is in pain and just isn't having good times, then it is time to let him go. It is hard for us to watch them suffer. It seems a little early for such a small dog, but decisions need to be made on an individual basis.

Thank you for your opinions. I really don't want to put him down if his time isn't up yet and its too soon. But I don't want to put him down too last either