Well, Dee... you know I'm on the outside "looking in".
I'm also one of Kates BIGGEST fans, and I have always rooted for both of you, with all my heart. I've tried to share your ups and downs as much as is possible over the internet, and you both were my inspiration and comfort when Mick got sick.
I love Kate as if he were my own... you know that, I hope.
Just typing this out is making me cry, and my heart is breaking for both of you...
It's not easy for me to post this, and it won't be a "popular post", by any means - it might even lose me a few friends, but... I'm going to say it anyway:
Try to look at Kate as if he were someone elses dog for a minute, objectively. What would you see or think, in terms of his quality of life? What would you say to them if they asked you for advise on what to do?
Kate fought long and hard to beat his cancer, and he truly IS a hero in all of our eyes, as are you for standing by him... for loving him unconditionally... and for doing whatever you could to make sure he had the best and most caring home possible.
If your devotion and compassion could "fix" him he'd outlive all of us, I have no doubt in my mind.
However... while Kates spirit and heart is bigger than life - his body is giving out. I truly believe he is at the point where he is only hanging on for you, and I also know how very hard that is on
both of you.
And while everyone here is cheering him on to get better - we all know that he won't, and that there is very little hope for even the slightest bit of recovery.
As you friend I am telling you that I believe that Kate is ready for the next leg of his journey.
I'm not sure that you "see" that as clearly when you look at him. I do know that your heart tells you differently, and I so understand that... please, believe me - I really do.
I've thought long and hard about saying anything at all, and I wish I could be there in person and speak to you face-to-face because my post may come across impersonal, callous, or mean-spirited even... but it's not meant like that, in any way, shape, or form.
I love you both.
I hope you can find the courage and the strength to say "good-bye" to our wonderful friend Kato, your heart dog... I know you love him more than life itself and "doing the right thing" will be the hardest - but also kindest - decision you will ever make.
I have faith in you and your love for Kate, and I know that his welfare comes before anything else for you... and I think it's time to re-evaluate what's happening with him.
I'm so sorry, Dee... and so sad for you.
Please forgive me.