How would you handle this horrible decision?

We took both dogs to the vet on Monday and he confirmed our suspicions. My 13 year old border collie, Dutchess, has throat cancer. Our 15 year old white German shepherd, Dakota, has dementia.

Of the two, Dutchess is in much better shape. At this point the cancer mainly affects her voice. She now snores when she sleeps (which makes it difficult to figure out who’s in bed with me, her or Rick!) so it’s obviously affecting her airway, but there is no noticeable outward change in her behavior. She runs and jumps with as much energy as she always has. But it’s growing rapidly, and it will kill her in the end. ;(

At this point Dutchess is one of Dakota’s care takers too. If Dakota goes outside and forgets how to get back (it happens once in a while,) Dutchess will lead her to the handicap ramp Rick built for her, and herd her up. Smart dog. She just runs up and down the steps, but she understand Dakota needs her ramp. When Dakota gets especially bad (it comes and goes) Dutchess goes and lays down beside her, touching her. Dakota relaxes immediately.

If Dakota’s dementia is anything like a human’s, losing Dutchess would send her over the edge, into an abyss of confusion and fear.

Do you see my dilemma?

Please give it some thought and tell me what your opinion is.

What a shitty, shitty week this has been.