[fifi]

Our first Rott 'Ella' contracted bone cancer in 1993 and her prognosis was grim. As this was our first experience we listened to our vets guidance and she came home was made comfortable and was given strong painkillers. Each time she went for a check-up we asked the vet if he thought it was time etc... and he always replied no. We were going on holiday to Kenya in the April 1994 and again I asked the vet if he felt she was strong enough to go into Kennels, he said she would be fine and had a long way to go yet. Well, she never made it through Kennels and died there. The guy who owned the place was so very kind to her and stayed with her while she 'passed away'. I have lived with the guilt that she wasn't with us at this awful time forever. After that I've always no matter how hard - gone with my own gut instinct on when to PTS. I've taken into account the seriousness of the illness, the happiness, quality of life and age of the dog and then made my decision. Its never easy and one feels like your playing god but if its the last kind thing I can do for my furry friends - then thats what I have to do.