We found out about a month ago that he had stage 4 cancer. He fought his way through 4 weeks, the pain meds really sapped his energy, and we never got a chance to repair his knee. He really lost his appetite earlier this week, and we decided it was time. He was only 9, but he had a "Heart of a Bear Killer" He protected my fiance and I in the bush on more than one occasion, from roaming dogs, killer bunnies, and at least one aggressive deer. My soul is broken, I have truly lost a companion.