Making that decision for an older dog

I think you just know
Usk my last dog as in male had few health issues he was lucky but as he aged he did the wasted back end thing
He was just shy of sixteen and one day I just felt he was tired and trying to be cheerful for me my friend came and pts that evening
He could have kept going but it was just a feeling. l loved him so much .
 
Sorry that went wrong
It’s the hardest thing but your heart doesn’t break you keep going and it’s the price you pay for having them.
I so sorry it was now .
 
Reviving this thread because I’m starting to feel we are getting to the end with JD. God it’s so heartbreaking. I just know she will hold on for as long as she can because she desperately doesn’t want to leave us, so I’m going to have to make that decision for her.
To the outsider she’s doing well- goes on walks twice a day, is bright and has a good appetite… but she’s tired and looks lost, she just wants someone to sit with her all the time. I can see her fading away and I don’t want that.
 
I made the mistake with my old collie, I had been thinking that it was time for a while but she was eating ok and going out for a short walk every day as seemed to be happy although very quiet. One morning in the hot summer she had been for a 20 min stroll at about 6 am before it got hot, then in the evening she couldn’t get up on her own. I got her out to have a wee by putting a towel under her to hold her up , her back legs had stopped working . I had to take her to the emergency vet to PTS as I knew QOL had now gone. I wish I had arranged for the vet to come home a couple of days before rather than wait till there was no option and have to take her in an emergency.. you know your dog and hope this helps as an example of a day too late ..

Sorry didn’t realise I had posted before but my thoughts are still the same
 
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We had to do this twice last year. Worst year of my life.
Our 14 yr old Jack Russel gave us no choice as Kidney failure caught up with him(despite meds and vets trying to help), eventually he stopped eating and pooping and just told us it was time. It was heartbreaking but necessary.

My 14 yr old Whippet followed him swiftly behind, albeit I had to make the decision as she wasn't "Ill" but had a major stroke which left her unable to stand up if she fell over, which she was doing more so the last 12 months she was with us, that along with the obvious Dementia signs(stuck in a corner, staring into nothingness, restlessness, not being hungry and suddenly starving) and the fact she had lost every ounce of fat and muscle on her little body.

For me, its the feeling of was it the right time, did I jump the gun, did I fail her.
But my mother always said "Better a week to early, than a day too late"

I miss them both terribly(I have no children, so they were my children) But i know i gave them everything and more in the 14 years we had togather.

I don't envy your decision regards your pup, but you will know when the time is right.
 
As a generalisation, unless we are incredibly lucky and the dog goes peacefully in their sleep, any decision will have us thinking 'was I too hasty' or 'did I leave it too late' for weeks, months and years on end and the guilt and sadness is a normal part of the grieving process for s dog.

With larger dogs, I would also factor in what one might have to deal with if they become immobile and try to bear that in mind in my decicion making. I live on my own and am relatively strong and while my dogs are on the small side for their breed, even with harnesses/slings etc it is still difficult to manouvere a large dog if they can't or don't want to be moved and if they are in distress that can make it much worse.
 
I don't know if it's my imagination or not, but the expression in my dog's eyes seems to change. Its as if they are saying it's time to let them go.

I have heard the saying a week too early is better than a week too late. It is a difficult choice but the best for the dog.
 
I have noticed the change in the eyes in people too but usually in photographs rather in the flesh. They get a sort of bewildered look. I have seen photos of Michael Caine showing it but Clint Eastwood who is similar age didn't have it. In people it doesn't mean they are ready to go though.
 
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