I guess whatever is wrong with Abby is pretty darn severe or you'd not expect her to be dying. My Boo got first got cancer when he was still only 5 years old, so I know how unexpected and alarming it is when they're so young. I'm glad you decided to be with her when you think she'll be going. My biggest fear when it comes to my fur babies is that they'll go without my being there and all alone or in a place he didn't want to be with people he didn't know. I know how important it is to you to be with Abby in a place she's comfortable with and you being there with her.

I so feel for you! Losing our fur babies is just so horrible.

Sending hugs to you and your dear Abby.

It is so difficult to lose a good friend. I'm so glad she has you to help her through the journey.

What a privilege it was to be with her and to hold her, pet her, and reassure her.
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Her breathing was labored, and she looked at me as I held her and howled/moaned twice. I told her it was okay to go, that Kelly, our first Cavalier, was waiting for her, and that I would see her again. Then she just died. My little girl saved me the decision to end her life. I will miss her so.

She was embraced with love to the end. That's so beautiful.

Wishing you gentle comfort.

that was so very sweet! She was lucky to have you.

Cavaliers are so loving and loveable. May your memories give you comfort and peace.

I know how important it is to be together (if possible) when the time comes. Being there matters.

no words that will comfort you right now, so I will just send you a hug and healing thoughts.

RIP over the Rainbow Bridge, Abby. You were a very good girl.

Oh God, I don't want to think about your pain. I am so sorry, she was not old!!!! I see plenty of 8 year old dogs and older flying through agility courses. I am so sorry she got sick. Cavaliers are absolutely adorable. I am glad she was in your arms.

I will be even more grateful when I get home from work and get my sweet furry greeting.

It is so painful to lose your best friend. Cavaliers are such awesome, loving little ones. We have a Black and Tan Cavalier and he is my best friend.

You gave Abby your love and comfort until the very end and that is all that matters. I've lost two cats that died in our home and I regret that I was not with them physically at the end. One died overnight in her room and Sammy died in the kitchen while we were getting ready to bring her to the emergency vet to end her suffering. You were there for her and that's all that matters.

I am so glad that you chose to be there holding her when she died, and that she was not alone at the vet's office. How brave of you to do it that way, because I know that it hurt you to lose her.

We have all lost too many fur babies, and we know how hard it is. I am sorry for your loss.

RIP Abby.

What a caring, loving act you did.

It's been a rough 24 hours. I'm spent. Our other dog, Jack, has been just a love - licked away my tears several times today. Now, I'll cope the way I always do, with research, to find a shelter dog who needs lots of love.

Thanks, fellow animal lovers!

I am convinced of that.

Again, I'm so sorry for your loss.

Oh, my lovely Cavalier. Hmm, in no particular order, inflammatory bowel disease, seizures, mitral valve prolapse, and just had an anal sac abscess. I have video of her throwing her toy at me, howling, and demanding to play, and then running all around as we played fetch - in the middle of JANUARY.

In February, she had the anal sac abscess, and I took her in to be treated for that, gave her her meds, cleaned out the abscess as directed, but she seemed to spiral down from there. I would guess that she had a combination of a flare-up of the IBD, the infection didn't help, her protein became lower and lower, and her heart just couldn't handle it.

I love this breed, but she is my last. They get too sick too young.

Edited to say: Thanks so much for your condolences

Congestive heart failure. He is responding well to the meds, but I don't know how long he will be with us. He's 8 1/2 and I thank him everyday for being in our family.

Cavaliers do have many illnesses. We lost our first Cavalier to SM, she was only 2 1/2.

My friend's Cavalier also has SM - she's being treated with many meds and has many, many more good days than bad moments. Our first Cavalier had CHF, but also responded well to meds and lived until she was almost 12.

Looking at him, you would never know he has CHF because he is so energetic and full of spunk. At what age was your first Cavalier diagnosed with CHF?

This is such a difficult time for you. They bring such love and joy to us and it is so hard to let go.

Abby was diagnosed with MVD at age 4. So I guess, each lived about 4 years more after their diagnosis.

I'm so sorry for your loss.