divinemissmillie

I've only ever kept desexed dogs, up to 4 at a time. Never had problems with the boys together, just occasional jealousy between the girls. I think it is more a matter of personality than sex - I am sure there are a lot of entire male dogs that live together happily.

My 8 year old female Cav had to finally be put to sleep about 5 years ago due to SM. I got her as a 6 year old from a breeder to whom she had been returned after the previous owner had supposedly passed away (I think I have been told some porky pies in the past about a dog's history when I've adopted an adult dog !!!). I believe she already had it when I got her, but worsened with time. Apparently it is more usual to see in younger dogs. It was detected through an MRI scan. Fingers crossed I never see it again.

I have a 13-year-old Border, Tammy. I have had her since she was 9 months old. For me, I think they are one of the best of the terrier breeds as they are not too aggressive or barky. Tammy doesn't bark much but loves to patrol the fence line (we live in a rural area), and has lived quite happily with our past dogs (Bull Terrier and Labrador) and now with our 2 Cavaliers. She will however tolerate some dogs, and have a snap at others - there's just no way of knowing which ones she will like and which ones not. She has never had any health problems and is still fit (although sleeps a bit more these days). She always liked a pat, but was never really a lap dog until the last few years. She has always been a bit timid, but I don't think that is typical of the breed. She did chew things for about the first 10 years of her life - hehehe, many's the chewed up things I hid from my son and never told him about. I think they are great dogs, with the typical terrier spirit, but not excessively so.

My 8-year old Cav, Sophie, had the same thing years ago and the kindest thing was to let her go. My heart goes out to you. You are doing the hardest thing, but know in your heart that you are doing the right thing. A vet once told me after I had to say goodbye to one of my dogs "People never say to me, 'I should have kept him/her going longer', but they often say "I let him/her suffer for too long'". Our pets are lucky in that we can give them the gift of going quickly, peacefully and with dignity - some of us will have to suffer for a long time in pain and without dignity when our time is near. My thoughts are with you.