Hi Sammy's mom/dad...we had the very same questions about Misty. Although Misty's amputation had been cancelled because the cancer had now spread to her lungs, we thought she would be just fine for months or even years. She was happy, swimming everyday and eating like a pig. In my mind I told myself that she would let me know when it was time, but unfortunatley these wonderful fur kids would probably stay with us forever even going through unbelievable pain. Misty had been carrying around her ever growing cancerous leg for about 2 months and then one day her breathing began to get labored, like she had asthma, and she was sitting or laying down at every opportunity. The 2nd, and 3rd day passed with her wheezing getting louder. I just knew that every day it would get worse and whether we said good bye on that day or a week from then, it was going to be the hardest thing we ever did. As a family we said it was time and our wonderful vet said she would come to our house even though it was her day off. We spent the day before pampering Misty, having lots of people stop by to give her kisses and just reassuring ourselves that this was for Misty. Waking up that morning was like waking up into another world. Misty hobbled to me when I came downstairs (my husband had slept with her all night on the ground) and she proceeded to the backyard. Just me and her and the first thing she did was point to her tennis ball. She wanted me to throw it into the pool. So why not. We did a couple of throws. She went after it once but that was my sign, she just didn't have the lung capacity to swim out. When our vet came she spent allot of time with us. Watched us cry, cried allot herself, and when we were ready said Misty of course could be outside by the pool when she crossed the rainbow bridge.

I think our hearts know when it is time because they are breaking every day we watch them not be themselves.

We do have 3 other dogs. Millie is a 7 year old chocolate lab, Lola Millie's daughter is 4 and Toby our Rottie mix is 5. The first day after Misty was gone they all seemed to be sniffing around like they were looking for her. They all seems more interested in me and my crying. I think they know something is not quite right but their main concern is their people. Toby and Lola were best friends with Misty but since she became stricken with OSA they really cut back with their aggressive playing with Misty and with each other. After Misty passed they all started back to their crazy rough housing like they knew it was now ok, but they had been holding back while Misty was here. I think it's ok to worry about Sosa. He will need extra love and kisses when his brother is gone, but he will also bring you some extra joy.