You and Ruger have blessed each others's lives for 13 years. I wish it could be more and I am sorry for the difficult time you are suffering through together. Ruger looks just like he could have been a littermate to our Brandy, which we lost to cancer at age 5. It's tough. Prayers for comfort.

Hang in there, Randy.

Sorry for your pain and what your going thru.yes sometimes we become more attached to our 4 legged friends then the 2 legged ones.ive put alot of dogs down over the years but it's always the good ones that leave us to soon.

Sorry to read about your best friend. Yes, I believe dogs can be connected to the spirit world. My 14 yr.old beagle i firmly believe sent me messages that he was free and no more pain. Had him put down at a vets. I held his paw and floppy eared head as the vet did his work.I broke down like a 5 year old kid when he went limp.So much for being strong in the face of adversity.
That was 35 yrs ago and my eyes are tearing up as I write this, such is the strong bond a pet can have with its
.owner. Be glad for the time you had and keep a lookout for those subliminal messages. Best wishes Randy.

The pic of Ruger and Olivia sleeping was the day we brought him home. For nearly his first year everyone freaked out on the size of his paws and his chest. It was easy to see that he was going to grow up to be a stud. He maintained that massive chest and grew into those paws. Unfortunately he's lost a lot of muscle tone in the last year.

My favorite .

That's always so hard , Randy. Hate it for you.

Oh man, you and Ruger have an amazing bond.

We've had 6 labs and each one was special in it's own way. Casey was my dog from the start till the end. She flat out loved hunting, Any kind especially dove hunting. She would see them before I would. I carried in the house on her last night. We ate dinner and I was sitting in my chair reading and saw her trying to crawl across the floor towards me. I got up then layed down next to her and put my arm around her. Feel asleep that way. when I woke up she was gone. That was the hardest hole I ever had to dig. My wife left me alone till I filled the grave in then came out and we both cried. I know she's up there running around with the other 5 just waiting for me and my wife.

Unfortunately, good dogs never live long enough. I feel your pain and really don't have the words to say it any better.

Its hard nothing I could say will help. Your not alone I and many others have been there.It sucks.

Thanks everyone for the very compassionate comments. Rugers having a little better evening. Got him to eat a little rice and deer roast. He’s alert. Not active, but no signs of discomfort. I suspect it’s going to be a long night. Thanks everyone appreciate it

There will come a time soon when you will know. When that time comes, let everyone say goodbye and do what you know you have to do. Don't let someone else do it.

Bawl your eyes out, then go get another pup. You will never get another Ruger, but the amount of love and care that you know how to give a dog should never be wasted or forgotten.

Nothing soothes that type of loss better than puppy skunk breath.

I am sorry where you are having to go. 13 years is a lot of happiness from a dog. That is a good life time for a lab. Pray for strength and compassion.

Our last dog had bone cancer. It was awful in how it crippled Liza. My son would not let go. One day I gathered everyone around her and loaded up the truck with a shovel and pistol. Looking back she suffered too long. It sucked and she is missed but I am relieved in knowing she was with me in her last moment getting loved and petted to the very end. Bawled like a baby.

Had two new dogs from the pound in about a month. Some of the best family dogs I have ever had.

Still miss Liza but she is not in pain now. Gator and Rusty make my children very happy.

Hope this helps.

Yep it's hard to let them go, like you said always way to early.