I escorted my sweet Bandit dog to the other side this morning. He was telling me it is time and I am filled with gratitude for the 15-plus years we had together. He was in his youth a mischievous escape artist and irrepressible spirit. Age took the energy, but not the spirit.
Yesterday I saw big changes and I knew that he was starting to shut down. The decision still gnawed at me because he was still beautiful on the outside, with a shiny coat and bright eyes. He had for quite some time lost track of whether he should pee inside or outside and I was willing to make accommodations.
But yesterday, he peed huge puddles throughout the kitchen about ten times. I awoke this morning to a couple more ponds and when he barked for his breakfast he lost bowel control. So it was time.