Now matter how much you prepare, it always hits you like a brick.

I have been through both sudden, tragic death of a pet dog versus weeks in preparation/thinking. I always had the same, gut wrenching feeling and uncontrollable sobbing.

But I felt at peace when putting down my dogs, I got to hold them and say goodbye one last time. Watching them peacefully go in a painless way soothes me because they're not suffering anymore. I'd rather they leave earth peacefully than through a tragic event.

A few years ago, I had to put down my childhood dog named Sophie. Sophie came into my life when I was 6. She was my step dad's dog and she would RUN towards me and attack me with licks and kisses. I loved her so much. We grew up together. But she got older and sicker. She couldn't walk comfortably anymore. She didn't want to play with our other pet dog because she was too tired. She lived to be 17 years old.

My parents and I got to hug her and say goodbye. She was nestled up in her favorite blanket. Her passing was planned for weeks and I could not stop crying. All of us couldn't stop crying. Even my dad, who I only saw cry once when mom was sick. We got paw prints of her engraved in stone and set a little memorial in our yard. She is always with us.

I miss her still but I know she is happy in dog heaven and waiting for us. I would give your pup a final night of whatever he wants to eat, play with, and just cuddle. Take him to the dog park or a nice lake, river, anything to play in and be with you. We gave Sophie a burger and fries. It's not healthy of course, but why not give in to he indulgences? She was so happy.

Give him the best of the time he has left. Get his paw prints engraved in stone if you can. I'm glad we have a memento to remember her by.