The local Humane Society will euthanize animals for no charge, important for people with ailing animals who can't afford the expensive vet visit. "It's the last kind thing you can do for your pet," is the theory. When the day arrives is subjective - it depends on the owner reaching a point where they understand that letting the animal suffer instead of taking them in is trying to spare their own feelings, not that of their pet.

My pitbull had such a big heart, and though she had an enlarged heart in her last year, it was a form of cancer that was killing her. Once she reached the point when she wouldn't eat her normal food, and we had to persuade her to eat canned food, I knew it was time. I put leashes on all three dogs and we took a slow walk into the woods across the road, her absolute favorite place to walk. When I got back home I put the other two dogs (a catahoula mix and a chocolate lab) in the house, loaded Cinnamon in the SUV, and called ahead to tell the vet I was bringing her in for this purpose.

They were very nice about it, knowing how hard it is to make this decision. They came and got us in the parking lot so I didn't have to sit tearfully in the waiting room; they took her back to put in the IV and I stepped back into the room where she was ready. The vet said she was ready, and if I'd waited she probably would have died at home soon, but she would have been so uncomfortable that I didn't want her to suffer.

Her companion Poppy lived another year and a half (both dogs were about 14 when they died) - and she was slowing down and not eating but didn't seem to be in pain. She died in her favorite place in her sleep overnight. That's the death you hope for them.

It's a tough call. We're a dog-positive household, so after about six months I went to the local shelter and adopted another one to keep Zeke (the lab) and Poppy company, and she fit in quite well. Whey Poppy died in May the new dog (Pepper) was here to keep the old lab company. And last week I adopted a puppy from the same shelter, because the lab is quite old and I want Pepper and the puppy to learn his yard smarts while he's still out and about in the yard.

You're not thinking ahead beyond the death of this pet, and when they die they leave a dog-sized hole in your heart. But you can rescue animals later on and keep up the joy of having a dog in the house. It's good for you and good for them.