There’s no way around it – it will be one of the most heart-wrenching times of your life.

If you’re lucky, your old dog will go quietly in his sleep, the victim of a fatal but painless heart attack. For most of us, though, there will be many difficult choices to make..

It can happen any time. Even when your dog is seemingly in the prime of life, an insidious disease may be threatening his very existence. Or perhaps the infirmities of old age are becoming more and more apparent, and more and more debilitating, and you are faced with having to make the most difficult of decisions. It is not a decision that your veterinarian can make, although he can certainly give you help and guidance and offer an honest assessment of your dog’s prognosis.

When you first decided to open your heart to a Bullmastiff, you accepted total responsibility for its well-being in exchange for its total devotion to you. This is at times an almost unbearable commitment. You must carefully and honestly evaluate your dog’s potential to lead a full and active life. Obviously, it’s easier to make the decision if your dog is terribly injured or ill with little chance of recovery. It is a good deal more difficult if your dog still has days when he seems vigorous and healthy, or if he is stricken with a silent but deadly disease.

Study your dog carefully, as closely and as objectively as you can. Of course you have to make adjustments for old age, but be sure that your dog is still able to enjoy his existence. Since food is often the most motivating force of a Bullmastiff’s life, pay close attention to whether or not he is still looking forward to mealtime…that’s one of the best indicators of a Bullie’s overall health, both mental and physical. There are lots of things that can be managed with a little extra care and commitment on your part, coupled with the natural courageousness of your dog, but often the negatives are too overwhelming and you must make the decision to euthanize.

Please, please do not let your dog suffer unnecessarily. It is a mistake most of us have made, one that haunts us forever. It is a selfish thing to prolong the life of these noble dogs simply because we cannot bear parting with them. When the time comes, and you will know in your heart when that day is, be assured that the process is a painless one. If you are truly fortunate, you will be able to make arrangements for your dog to die at home in familiar surroundings, with you and his favorite toys and blanket by his side.

The end of your dog’s life will be a traumatic experience for you, but a release for him. While it may seem that you will never find that love again, you will. Not the same love, for we will never have an identical relationship with another dog, but a different and equally wonderful love. Don’t feel guilty about bringing another dog into your life. What could be a better tribute to the memory of your friend – that you could not live without sharing all the riches a Bullmastiff has to offer.

Andrea Kelly