She has hip dysplasia and her front leg has arthritis but the last few days she has really gone downhill and is struggling to walk and cant get up the steps to the house. She sometimes goes sideways and nearly falls but an hour ago she collapsed. We were prepared for the worst but now she has walked onto the terrace and is barking at the cats. So one minute we are preparing to let her go and then she seems not too bad.
My hub would not let me put down our last lab when I wanted. I felt like I really knew her. I will never ever wait again. I realize her downhill went pretty fast. Her back legs were getting weak and sometimes give out. She started not getting up fast enough to get out to go potty. But the next day she would be like a puppy and play and everything was great. Thats how it should have ended for her. But fast forward a couple more weeks and she had a massive stroke in front of me. Ignorantly I had no clue what was was happening and totally lost my sh** It was so haunting and traumatising to watch and be so helpless. They say they aren't in pain, but the fear in her from being blind after was horrible. That was not the memories I wanted to have lingering. Do it before you think you should.
No one can tell you what to do, there is no right or wrong. You make the decision, only you. Because you are the one who will live with it.
I just went through this with my 14 year old-this past March-so I totally understand the heartache and angst going in to this decision. And yes, he would have good days and bad days. There are actually tools on line that you can find that sort of check off the boxes and help you determine your dog's quality of life. In discussing his passing with my daughter she gave me the wisest input. I told her that I just wished he could have passed in his sleep and she said he did. My vet came to our home and we were all with him. His passing was so very peaceful and I am so thankful of my decision. In my opinion, it is the biggest gift you can give your dog when his/her time comes.
