A family pet brings enormous joys, of laughter and companionship. Often they sleep in the same bed. Ivan was too big he would take up the whole bed. He was a Great Dane Massive. Nathan bought him when Henry came home from Seattle's Children's Hospital with the firsthand knowledge that life is precious and oftentimes too short. Henry was proof that miracles still happen, and Ivan represented that. He came to live with me on the farm because he was just too big to live in a smaller townhouse. Although Henry thought Ivan was still his dog, but in reality he was mine.

When Ivan was young he ran like a horse. Once he ran right into the steel building, putting a dent in the corner, and kept running. He was a gentle giant to family but he protected his own!

Ivan's life expectancy was eight years. He lived 12. Ivan loved back massages and neck rubs. Loved walking when his back legs would work. He was the alpha dog.

The decision to euthanize Ivan was difficult. Euthanizing a pet comes with many tears and a real sense of loss. I write this because I know some of my friends have been criticized. After all, they decided to euthanize their pet. We made the decision after Ivan could no longer move his back legs. He couldn't stand or walk. He became incontinent. Some believe you take care of your pet clear to the end, but Ivan was too big, too heavy to lift, and impossible to move. Maybe if I was younger and lifted weights, but as it was I hurt my back lifting him just trying to make him more comfortable. Every person who decides to euthanize a family pet/member makes the difficult decision, not for their convenience but for what is best for their close friend.

I have said goodbye to many pets. I've cried every time. But Ivan....it looked like he was crying. His eyes were so wet. Begging me to help him. I did the best I could, and I think he knew that.

I'm asking people who believe pets need to be a part of one's family till the end to give grace and mercy to those who make the difficult decision.

I know we now live in a society where everyone thinks it's okay to give their opinion to everyone in strong terms, but when it comes to the death of a pet maybe leave your opinion to yourself.