My best friend in the whole world passed away after 14 years of my life revolving around him. He was a special golden retriever named Kramer with separation anxiety. I hated leaving him home because he did not like to be alone. I always rushed back so he would not be sad for long. I believe I had separation anxiety too. I never did anything without thinking how it would affect him. He never left my side and got very upset if I went to work. In the last months of his life I knew his time was coming. He had arthritis and tumors. He was getting old and he felt it. I checked him whenever I walked in the house to see if he was sitting up and breathing. I was always relieved when he looked back and came to me.

I worked for a veterinarian his whole life and saw how people would hang on to suffering pets because they did not want to let them go. I swore when the time came I would not let him suffer, no matter how hard It was I would be strong for him. Well on Friday August 29th he stopped eating and could not breath well. I took him to the vet where I work. The X-ray revealed lung cancer which was not present in the x-ray we took 3 months prior. Dr. C (my boss and friend) said I needed to put him down that the prognosis was bad. I couldn't bring myself to do what I was planning. I left and drove him home. I felt like I let him down watching him fight for every breath and not able to eat anything. He could not stand up without help.
My husband and I walked outside to the porch feeling like we didn't do the right thing and He was now suffering;
Suddenly there was Kramer at the door He stood up on his own and walked over to the porch door so he could come outside with us. He laid down on the porch in between us and looked at us for the last time to say I will not put you through this and laid down and died. It was so devastating to loose the most important thing in my life, but I was so glad I did not have to put him down and he did not die alone or have to suffer through the weekend.
He had a wonderful life and was a great dog. He will never be forgotten. He has to be in the best doggie heaven you can go to. All his aches and pains are gone and he gets to eat whatever he wants. I love and miss him so much. He was the best friend I ever had.