From Kim & Angel Buster:

"I just came across this saying & I wanted to share;

'It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart with them. And every new dog who comes into my life, gifts me with a piece of their heart. If I live long enough, all the components of my heart will be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are.'

~Author Unknown

Our friends at Land of Pure Gold Foundation just posted this excellent article called Veterinary Hospice or End of Life Care: an Evolving Field.

In the article, they reference their “Compassionate Veterinary Hospice Resources,” page, which, if you scroll down about 1/3 of the way, you'll find a compilation of animal hospice care and grief counseling resources.

jerseymay said:

I am really having a hard time tonight and reading this helped a little bit…

We're glad for that, thanks for letting us know. Others have found Doug Koktavy's book about his dogs Beezer and Boomer helpful in coping with the anticipatory grief your facing.

We shared our experiences of setting Jerry free, and many have commented that it helped them through their own difficult decisions too.

It's been said before about many a dog, but it's true … Jersey May will let you know when the time is right. Until then, Carpe Dog!

Just came across this helpful post from the Humane Society:

Coping With the Death of Your Pet: How to cope when it's time to say goodbye

Here are a few suggestions to help you cope:

• Acknowledge your grief and give yourself permission to express it.
• Don't hesitate to reach out to others who can lend a sympathetic ear. The Delta Society offers a list of pet loss hotlines for those grieving over the death of a pet.
• Write about your feelings, either in a journal or a poem.
• Call your local humane society to see whether it offers a pet loss support group or can refer you to one.
• Prepare a memorial for your pet.