Found out yesterday that Louie, my Golden Retriever who is 6yrs old has Cancer throughout his entire body. He is acting fine except he is breathing a little hard. The vet said that he has 2 weeks at he most. I'm having a very hard time with this and don't know when to make the call to put him to sleep.

I am so sorry for your pain. This is the worst part of having a dog. We just went through this this summer with our Bulldog/son. I based my decision on his pain level. Our boy couldn't tolerate pain meds, so it was our only choice for him. You will know in your heart when the time comes. We just have to remember there is a fine line between loving an animal and being selfish. You will be in my prayers.

Here is a time when I can honestly say that I know how you feel. I just had to make the same decision based on my Maddie's level of discomfort. She had cancer and it was a difficult decision to make but it was only a matter of time.

You have to be strong for your baby and I will also put you in my prayers and hope that you will find peace.

My favorite bitch Gretchen had cancer of the spleen...the decision was out of my hands she was dying when I took her to the vet and she was too far gone for surgery, there was no other decision, I had her put down right then and there. The bad thing about cancer of the spleen is it is a silent killer until it's too late. In her case the sleen was torn and she was slowly bleeding to death(over a 12 hour period) in some cases the spleen completely ruptures and the dog is gone within minutes... This happened in the evening and I thought it was pye, her symptoms were not serious, so the vet said to bring her in first thing in the morning. Had her symptoms been serious, I would have had him meet me at his clinic, but the only things were a low fever, 102, and general malaise, that is she felt crummy...didn't want dinner, just laid around etc. Nothing that would indicate an emergency. But the next morning, she was so weak she almost couldn't walk to the car, and her temp went the other way, it was 96 at the vet's office. She was literally dying before my eyes. I wanted to take her home and have the vet come out at lunch to put her down, but she was as I said, too far gone. Darn I'm at the library crying my eyes out now.....
But I think you'll know when the time comes, just enjoy every minute you have left...and please don't let your dog suffer because it's so hared to do this....but I have a feeling you won't...
edit...my Gretchen was also 6. way too young

I am sorry to hear about your dog, that is the worst decision to have to make. My previous dog was a 14 yr old Siberian Husky, I made the decision to put her down in Feb. The vet couldn't tell me how long she would be around for and eventually she wouldn't be able to even get up at all. She had severe arthritis and calcium building up on her spinal cord that was putting pressure on and damaging her nerves. She couldn't tell she had to go potty until it was too late to get outside, some days it took her several tries to either get up or lay down. I got her when she was 7 weeks old, she was my baby and I didn't want to let her go but I couldn't put her through the pain anymore. She was getting snappy with the family, which I'm sure was because of the pain she was in. So I made the decision to put her down, it was the best thing for her. So I understand what you are going through and your in my prayers. You will know when the time is right.

Thank you all for your words of comfort and thoughts. Louie made the decision for us yesterday. He waited until my husband got home and collaspe while running in the yard. He didnt suffer. He was gone in a matter of seconds. The vet thinks that he might have had a blood clot that let go. IT was just all to soon. I didnt have time to even process that he had cancer and now he's already gone. My husband and myself do not have children. He was our child. I don't think there is any pain like this. Louie was the best dog and will be extremely missed.

So sorry for your loss. God will provide you with the strength to make it through this.

As I read your post,I am crying for you and Louie. Loosing them hurts so much.Don't be ashamed to grieve for him. And we are all here if you need to talk.

Thank you all! As I am reading all of your posts I can't help but think there really is good, caring people out in the world still. Sometimes they can be hard to find so for that I thank you all.

My husband and I are so sad about Louie but we also can't help but think about getting another dog. We just can't seem to stand to not have a dog in our lives. We know that we will never replace Louie, lol for he was a one and only. It's funny how things happen though, I got a call from my sister today and she told me that her Chocolate lab's brother is looking for a new home. He just shy of 3 yrs old. Maybe this is Louie's way of giving this dog the loving home that he needs and the home that Louie was loved in for the last 6 years. I guess things really do work out somehow. Somehow the idea of getting this dog is easing the pain of losing Louie just a little bit and for that alone i'm thankful! Even though our time with Louie was short, he was sooooooo worth it and I would do all over again in a heart beat!!!