Many times, signs are fun or coincidental or spooky but looking for signs can also help us make sound decisions. Having older pets has been a challenge as their health starts to decline. Knowing what to do for them comes down to what I believe in my gut is right. My pets are considered exotic animals — not snakes or tigers or monkeys — I have two guinea pigs, Pearl and Ruby. Adorable, furry, squeaky guinea pigs. After their fifth birthday, visits to the exotic vet became more frequent. Modern medicine has helped people live longer, better quality lives and the same is true for pets. For survival in the wild, most animals don’t let on that they’re ill until time is up, but for domestic pets paying attention to the signs can help get them proper care quickly. While losing weight, sleeping more, breathing heavy and disinterest in their favorite activities are clear signs to visit the exotic vet, knowing how much care to give them is another decision to be made. This may not be a revelation, but exotic vet is another way to say expensive vet so depending on the amount of care needed, finances may be a factor. Beyond the expense, the biggest question I ask myself is, “am I keeping Pearl and Ruby alive because they have a good quality of life or because I don’t want to say goodbye.” For now, I’m agreeing to most treatments their exotic vet recommends because with the help of medications, they are showing signs of being happy little guinea pigs. They are delightful little creatures, and I wish Pearl and Ruby could live forever but their seventh birthday is next week. I know as time goes on that I’ll be looking for more decision-making signs and hoping I do right by my little furry friends.❤️❤️
Decision-making signs
Seeing Signs 
This made me cry. I had a dog that I couldn’t send over the rainbow bridge even though he was old and sick because I loved him so much and had him since I was 16. I didn’t care how much money it cost to keep Peewee alive but even the vet told me I should say let him go because he was’t going to be getting better and his body was shutting down and it was better for Peewee to let him go and not suffer. I finally did but now that I’m older I know I shouldn’t have put peewee through so much.
I’m sure you did your best for your beloved dog. You’re not alone. I had a similar situation with my dog. I was always told that I would know when it was time but I couldn’t take her in until she was almost at her last breath. It’s so hard to say goodbye but I’m hoping our experience helps us make better decisions for our current pets.🖤