She is continuing to decline. She has no obvious health problems. She was checked over, completely, a couple of weeks ago. She was 5.2 pounds that day. I think she would weigh less today.

She turned 17 years old on June 18. Oh, I love her so, but she is not happy. She doesn't want to eat, no matter what I offer. She doesn't want to come inside unless I force her. She doesn't seem to be in pain, but her jumping ability is just about gone and she cries out whenever we pick her up....I don't know whether that is pain or just grouchiness. How do I know what to do and when she is so bad that I need to let her go? I am fearful that I have been too distracted with Mack and with the loss of Zipper to pay enough attention to her, but I have tried, as has Helen. Her hearing is good and she usually comes when we call. I would like her to stay inside all of the time, but should I force her to stay inside now, after all these years? And would it make a difference? My greatest fear is that she will just walk away and die one day and I won't know where she is or what happened. If she is ready to go, I will give her a dignified death, but how do I know????

I'm just grasping for some suggestions and some possibilities right now. Do I need to try to find an answer at this late point in her life? do I need to just let her live out her life, as I have planned to do?

Please, be honest with me. Dr. Robinson will do whatever I want, but he is not one for heroics and neither am I.

Logan