I'm pretty sure I know what the responses will be but just wanted to ask ordinary dog owners. My chocolate lab is 12 and for quite a few months has been going down in the hind quarters. The vet has given him meds and injections that help but it looks like there is no answer. For the most part, he is ambulatory but it's obvious he's in pain. Lately during the night when he can't move around and I try to help, he growls at me. The pain I guess. I feel so bad because his appetite is so good and he's so loving all he wants to do is be 3 feet from me all the time. The vet just says it's my decision and a quality of life matter for him. I'm 74, retired and he's my partner. I'm not sure what I'm looking for, just needed to talk. Thanks

Difficult decision, Rock. Wishing you the best. God bless you and your partner.

You'll know when and probably already do. The trouble with all of us dog people is that we don't want to confront this reality.

I was selfish with my weenie dog this year, loved him too damn much, he was the special one. I let the vet convince me pain meds might help. When I originally took him in to the vet to put him down was the right time. He only made it a few more days as he was slowly dying and his organs were shutting down. My original inclination was right. Don't be selfish like I was, he was unconscious when he left this world through euthanasia and I wish I would have done it sooner so we could have taken that last step together.

Thanks for the replies. I'm probably stretching things out because I'm so weak when it comes to things like this. If he didn't have such a good appetite and appear to be so mentally sharp it would be easier. I'm afraid if I wait too long he's gonna go down and be hard to handle, probably on a weekend like now.

Made the decision with my 13-yr-old English Bulldog on Jan 2. Hardest thing I've ever done. But it was the right decision and I don't regret it. He had cancer and a tumor developed on his belly and grew incredibly fast.

He was not in pain but he was very uncomfortable. The tumor affected his walking and he really wasn't mobile. Slept all day except for bathroom. He really had no quality of life.

But Gus was mine for 13 years. He slept right under my feet his whole life. When I got up to go to bed, he followed. I still get up at night and check under my feet. And he loved getting in the Mule and riding around the pasture looking at the bison. I believe I gave Gus a really good life. He gave me a better one.

My vet is a good friend of mine. He also said the decision was mine but the day after New Year's, I took him in for Doc to look at tumor. He called and told me it was time.

Awful, awful day. I've never been that emotional when a human died! Dogs are just great no matter what and Gus was a great one. Humans can learn a lot from dogs. World would be a better place.

In hindsight, I'm glad Gus isn't suffering. But I miss him.

Feel for you, Rock. Really do.

Thanks for sharing. Yeah I'm an old man but cry like a baby when I lose a dog.

Only thing I will add is - when the time comes, be there with your dog. They deserve to be with their best friend when they leave this world. Very sad for me to think of a dog being only with a stranger at that critical time. I believe the last thing they should see is your eyes reassuring them, and feeling your touch. Not easy, but it's how it should be.

YES - Be there for the dog like it was there for you all those times.
Give treats like chocolate ice cream - doughnuts -etc.

Talk with them
Reassure them
Talk with them
Look them in the eyes as they go to sleep

Don't be some gutless chicken and make them go to sleep by themselves -Be There for them.
Make sure that you are the last thing they see before going to sleep.

I have had to do this too many times sadly!!

My vet would actually come out to my place after his day was over and do what needed to be done.
Afterwards we would have a few beers and talk about the dog and just shoot the *****!

I'm an old so through my adult lifetime I have put down 12 dogs. Two of them were three years old only.
Vets have come to the ranch every time to do it and the wife and I hold them till they are done. It never gets easier.
Done the same for every horse we have had.
They loved us unconditionally….. I'll return the same.
Peace be with you RD when it's time.

I put down Lulu at the vet. She could barely walk and pooped on herself. I knew it was time, but I was hoping it wasn't . God bless Lulu, God bless you.

Our last one we waited a day or more too late. He passed away in my arms going to the vet.

That haunted me for a while. I felt horrible and that I didn't do my job for him at the end.

Lost my golden retriever two days before Christmas. She was my first dog and the timing was horrible with the holidays and two toddler girls. But ultimately it was the right decision to do it early before it got too bad and those became our last memories of her. When she soiled herself overnight because she didn't get up, I knew it was time.

Rock, if you are asking you already know the answer… we had to say good bye to our beagle, Brownie, two years ago after 13 years. Horrible and gut wrenching are the only words to describe the process and dealing with it afterwards. I know you won't be ready but give it a month and then start looking for another partner. They help with the loss. My wife got us a puppy 2 months later and I was in no way ready. It took a while but she won me over and I never realized it but our hearts are full again.

Call ahead to the vet so the know to expect you and stay with them until the end….

Thoughts and prayers are with you and your pup!

Thanks guys. It's time.

Wife and I been thinking of you all night. Prayers is all we can offer.

One day early is always - always - better than one day too late.

This is probably the biggest and most important responsibility we have as dog owners. We owe it to them to make the tough decision and to do it on their behalf, not ours.

Had to put my old lab (that i didn't want) down several months ago. Just now starting to get the itch to get another dog. We still have 2, but they are slowing down considerably as well.