I am very sorry for your loss. She sounded like such a sweet dog. It's always hard to know when it is time, but you did what seemed best at the time, and on the advice of your vet. Try to focus on the wonderful time she was with you. You changed her life completely when you pulled her from the shelter, and to a dog, even a single year is a very long time. RIP to your lovely dog, and I hope you will find peace too.

I am so sorry to hear about your beloved pet's passing. I have 3 rescues myself, and beleive me, you gave her a loving home with all the comfort and care during her last years, which is ALOT. I volunteered in dog rescue for 10 years, and placed many dogs, and to go home to a wonderful home is the biggest gift you can give a shelter/rescue dog with that daily love and care, and they, of course pay it back ten fold. Take the time to remember the wonderful days you had with her, and the fond memories. Time will help and you will remember more of the good memories and hope the pain and sense of loss subsides as quickly as possible.

I think you did the right thing. She wasn't in agony yet. Either way-you did it out of love for her. Don't second guess yourself. Like the others have said-you gave her a gift that money can't buy-a loving home. She wouldn't have traded that for anything.

I also think you did the right thing, don't be so hard on yourself. We all second-guess if we are making the right decision for our beloved pets, and need to consider the advise given to us by our vets. You made the right decision, and it's really a hard thing to do. She was a sweet dog and you saved her from pain-filled days. I

Thank you so much for all your comments. You have no idea how much your words help me deal with this. People don't know what they are missing out in not adopting older dogs. I know they're not in our life for a long time but every day is such a joy with them. On top of being old she was black and there is what they call 'black dog syndrome' in shelters. Black dogs don't get easily adopted. Here's Nicki ...afternoon nap in the sun:

marielle,

I am very sorry for your loss. You did the right thing and Nicki was fortunate to have her time with you!

she was beautiful! i'm so sorry for your loss but here is my take...i have had to make this decision multiple times and while i probably could have gone a week or two or maybe more, i always opted to lay my sweet dogs to rest before they ever had a chance to feel pain or suffering.

i just recently lost my heart dog, my female great dane who was a rescue. at only 8 years old, she went into liver failure. no warning, no apparent reason. it was an "easy" decision (if there is such a thing) for me to send her over the bridge because she was so far gone after 3 days/2 nights in the e.r. i miss her so much as i have missed all of my dogs i have lost and i know your miss your girl but take heart in knowing you did the right thing for her. it a gift we can and should give our pets when we can. i wish i didn't have to see my girl in pain and suffering but this time, i had no choice. i guess what i'm trying to say is that while your heart breaks and you think you might have had a little more time with her, knowing she was not in a lot (if any) pain when she left, hopefully will give you some comfort.

and i totally agree with you about senior dogs!!! i have had 4 rescue danes, 2 of them were seniors when i adopted them. right now, i have a senior boy who has been with me for 5 years and i recently adopted another 8 year old female from a rescue. as long as there is breath in my body and i am physically able to do it, i will always adopt the seniors!

again, i'm so sorry for your loss. (((hugs))) and hope my rambling makes some sense to you.

nina :)

Thank you Nina for your comment. My pets are all old, to the exception of one dog who's around 7, the other is 10+ and my youngest cat is 14. When I don't have them anymore, this is what I plan to do only adopt older dogs from the shelter.

Marielle, it is right and good to mourn the loss of your dear Nicki, but don't tell yourself any longer that you should have waited a few more weeks. Your timing was perfect. Nicki was telling you this, through her preoccupation with licking the area. Your vet was telling you this. And you were telling this to yourself when you made the decision. Don't be down on yourself - Nicki wouldn't want that for you.

I echo the others in my thanks to you for adopting a senior dog, and a black one at that. We have two black cats who bring us luck, love, and laughter.