As you can see, I had to make the toughest decsion not so long ago. I had always tried to prepare myself but you never are. I had asked my vet once "How will I know" and he said, that "you will" and "we're here to help you". Cody, thank God, wasn't ill for long, but one morning at 630a, I just knew. I can't even explain it til this day. I always wanted to strangle anyone who said that "You'll know", because when you love your pet so much, you don't want to let go. But I did know. One look at him suffering, I suddenly regained my sanity for an instant and made the decision. I loved him so much that any other decision would have been selfish on my part. I knew too when he stopped eating-his favorite pasttime- and when he looked at me with those big brown gentle, soulful eyes, that we both knew. It was almost like a miracle. I don't regret it at all, but like Sandra and the others said, there's not a second that goes by that I don't miss him so completely that I could burst into tears. How lucky and happy Joker is that you gave him 5 best years. Some poor animals don't even enjoy that. We're all here for you, as said before.. And you will honestly know when the time comes....