I am typing this to hopefully help other people like me that had to let go of their first animal that is so dear to your heart.
For several year since Gemma was diagnosed with artheritis, and especially in the last weeks of Gemma's life when she was diagnosed with cancer, I spent quite a bit of time thinking about how I would know 'THE TIME' has come. I asked people I spoke to people and all they said was 'you will know'
Now I hated this, I hated them not letting me in on HOW I would know. I asked them How, I asked them how they knew, I asked questions, but to the day I had to decide 'THE TIME' was right I never got an answer.
It was only on monday when I decided that this was THE TIME for Gemma, I realised that the reason why I got no answer is..,
There is no answer.
No one told me that you wouldnt have a clue why you knew it was THE TIME, there was nothing in her eyes, there was no reason. you just knew in your heart that the time was right to do the last act of love you could, by letting her go.
There is No reason for it, there is no logical explanation for knowing that you must let them go.
You know because you know.
So dont ever think, like I did, that there must be something physical that tells you THE TIME has come, because there isnt.
You will know in your heart, and only in your heart.
RIP GEMMA
Lea.

{{{hugs}}}

Margot x

Awww Lea, you've got it.
more hugs from me too.
Karenx

It is just exactly the same as love.  No one can tell you how you will know when you fall in love.  You just know.  And how appropriate because the ultimate act of love is to let someone go, as you said.  My thoughts are with you.

Awww Lea, you have hit the nail on the head there. The only one who knows it is THE TIME is you, no one can put their feelings into words you just know! You let Gemma go in the same way I let my Corie go and yet again when I read it I sobbed for my first true love who I will never forget.

You are so right Lea and I am so sorry to hear of your loss - I hope you have many happy memories to wash away the last days.  I had the same with my last dog - it just took a bit more worry because I had to wait until my son could accept it was the right thing too -
Christine

Very good post Lea, and hopefully very helpful to all in the future whom have not gone through it.

I think the thing is that not all emotions and feelings can be put into words, I think as a race we do pretty well in expressing ourselves, but there are many things we can't, we just know, we just feel, we just have natural instincts about so many things.  And when we listen to them we get it right. Just as you have.

Hi Lea

As you say it is hard for any of us to say why we knew it was the right time, but somehow we always do! 

Though saying that glad that I didn't go through with it with Lydia earlier on this year when I "thought" it was the right time.  Something must have held me back.

Thanks for sharing this with us, it is one of the hardest things any of us can go through.

Lea

I couldnt have put it better myself

Rest easy Gemma

Donna xx
(and my boysxx)

Thankyou Donna
Lea xx

Agree, you just do know but you also hope you have got it right. Sorry for you loss.

Sorry for your loss, it is one of the hardest yet bravest and kindest things to do, to let go of a loved one. My thoughts are with you ! Take Care

you hit it right on the nail.  With our Joy, we kept thinking, is this it?  No, she still has good times. 

Then the morning we said goodbye to her, it was so loud and clear that this was the end, you just knew.

It is never easy loosing a part of your family.  Dogs become so entwined with our daily lives, even though it has only been a month since we let our Joy go, its still hard to deal with.

It is often the kindest things, that are the hardest to do.

Rest in Peace Joy and Gemma.  Run Free at Rainbow Bridge.
Forever waiting.