Rescued American Bulldog's Quiet Changes Leave Owner Searching for Answers
For many pet parents, the hardest part of loving a dog is realizing that you might have to say goodbye to the one you love. And that is the single biggest love gesture you can make. According to a Reddit post, Chance's dad is going through those thoughts right now.
Per his post, his American bulldog is battling an aggressive cancer affecting the spleen. He rescued Chance when the dog was 10 years old, and now, three years later, he is considering his future options.
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He is thinking about the question no dog parent ever wants to face: How do you know when it's time?
No one warns you about the end when you bring a dog home. Everyone tells you about the joy, the walks, and how your dog will change your life. However, for this devoted dog dad, the last three years have meant everything.
Five Months Went by Fast
Chance's dad got the news about cancer for the first time in January. In a post on r/AskDogOwners, he explained that Chance is his first dog and he has never had to decide on euthanasia. Since Chance's diagnosis of hemangiosarcoma of the spleen in January, his health has been declining.
Five months have gone by, and Chance's dad still doesn't know what to do next. He said that his American bulldog has never been an energetic dog who greets you at the door and cuddles with you on the couch. He doesn't have much to compare his current well-being with previous behavior.
Right now, his biggest fear is what the vet told him. If the tumor ruptures, it would be a painful death.
Related: This Sweet Pittie Was Facing Euthanasia Until a Grieving Woman Made One Last Visit
Signs Your Dog's Quality of Life is Declining
There is not a single sign that the end is close, and every dog is different. However, common signs include repeated incontinence, especially when the dog is unaware it is happening, withdrawal from people, inability to move comfortably, difficulty standing, disrupted sleep, and no longer seeking closeness with people.
For many pet parents, there is no clear moment when the decision becomes obvious. Dogs do not announce their pain. They adapt to it, and many continue to eat, wag their tails, and enjoy life after the illness.
Many pet parents, including Chance's dad, are trapped between the fear of acting too soon and the fear of waiting too long.
A Different Way to Think About the Decision
Many pet parents who have been in the exact situation offered guidance to Chance's dad. One person described how their dog pulled away in the final hours, turning her back to the couch and staring toward the wall, as if distancing herself. They took her to the vet, where they held her and told her they loved her.
Another talked about how they lost their dog to lung cancer before Christmas, when the dog stopped eating. They called it the hardest day of their life, adding, "It takes a lot of strength and compassion to make that decision. Godspeed."
That decision is not about giving up; it is about responsibility. Loving them all the way through is the best thing we can do as pet parents.
For rescue dogs, after everything they have been through, there may be no greater gift than having someone willing to carry that burden when the time comes.
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This story was originally published June 4, 2026 at 12:48 PM.