When do you give up hope and prepare for the inevitable?

Today is going to be a long, therapeutic post. I am trying to process a bad news! I have been spending the last years learning about natural cures for cancer and how to prevent it. Actually, it has almost been an obsession...I questioned myself as to why I had such an interest. Was is because of my best friend's death, was it because of all the people I saw dying while working at a hospital when I was 19, or was it meeting people in the last stages while volunteering at the hospice, maybe it was my 12-year-old cousin diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor? What was it that sparked that passion for health, that interest in natural medicines. Was it that my first dog died of cancer? Well, in the last days, more than usual, I have been collecting info and videos on the raw foods diet and the Hippocrates diet, posting links on facebook and sending tons of info to my friend, whose mother has just been diagnosed. With all the knowledge I have accumulated over the last years, I do feel that I have found the answers to my questions and that I do know how to prevent such illnesses. Of course, as a therapist, I must acknowledge that not only the food we eat, but the repressed emotions and anger also affect our immune system. Being healthy is a 4-level process. 1.We need to consider what we put in our bodies, be it food, water and all other substances we apply to our skin. We are what we eat! 2.We also need to take into consideration our environment, not only check for toxicity, but also be aware of our connection to nature. To be healthy, we must be connected to nature. There is a whole field about this theory called ecopsychology. 3. We need to look at our emotions and release repressed anger, resentment, sadness, and stresses. This is certainly the hardest part of all because it is not tangible. But, as we detox by eating a living diet, we also release emotions and evolve on a spiritual level. 4. Spirituality: while I worked with dying people, I noticed that the ones dying in peace were those with faith. Having faith and knowing that we are not alone is very important. Realizing that we are all connected is crucial. So, to come back to my title, when do we have to give up hope and accept death? I guess for humans, as long as there is a will to live, we should keep hope. As Brian Clement, director of the Hippocrates Institute, said in one of his lectures; "those who make it are not those who say I hope I will get better, but those who say I will get better". What about animals? Actually, I was going to begin my post with this. Writing is a therapeutic tool and I am taking full advantage of it right now, in order to keep my sanity. I would be so happy to hear from others :) This morning, my mother told me that my dog has been diagnosed with cancer and has only little time left to live. My parents live in Switzerland, and because my dog is 14, I decided one month ago to buy a plane ticket, in order to see him one last time. But, it seems I will not be given that chance, since I have to wait until mid-August before I can go. I don't think I will be able to say goodbye. It feels I have all the answers, but in this case, I feel totally powerless. There is nothing I can do from so far away but rely on my parents to do their best. For a few weeks I have been encouraging my mother to juice wheatgrass and give some to our dog. Lately, he has been having trouble walking. I also told her to feed him live organic foods. But, what to do when my own parents don't follow my beliefs and don't really understand the benefits of organic, let alone raw foods. My mother did try it and still makes an effort, but, is she willing to go out of her way to find a wheatgrass juicer in Switzerland? Or even buy the supplements and superfoods? I think my parents already gave up hope!