I noticed Liam was off his food for about a month, and thought he was tired of what I was feeding him, but finally when I noticed he wasn't stealing cat food about 10 days ago, I made a vet's appt for him. That was on Jan 28th. At 10 am the vet felt a mass in his abdomen, did an ultrasound and told me his spleen was extremely enlarged likely with a cancer which normally isn't found until the dogs collapse and bleed out. Liam was 9 yrs old, but strong and otherwise healthy, so I opted to give him a chance, since he couldn't survive without it. Surgery was booked, based on the results of liver function tests. Those turned out OK, so surgery was booked for 2 pm - no time was wasted. I had gone home, leaving him at the clinic, but pulled myself together enough to return and have a brief visit before he went into surgery - one quick lick on the hand and wag of the tail. I waited out in the lobby thinking I would sit with him while he came out of the anesthetic. About 45 minutes into the operation I was called into one of the exam rooms and told that they had found that his bile ducts were riddled with cancer as well, and there was nothing they could do for him. I opted to have him put down without waking up from the surgery. It has been a heartbreaking week - he smiled at me every morning and gave me a 'hug' with his paws on my shoulders. Since he was such a big boy, he has left a huge hole in my heart and my life. I knew I had to let him go, but it was one of the hardest things I've had to do.

You will know in your heart when it is time to let go - if you're keeping the dog alive, make sure it's for the dog,or because there is hope, and not just for you. It will be really hard, but you will be amazed at the support and understanding around you.