I had to have my darling Sophie put down nearly 8 years ago. She was 16 and had moved house with me twice, gone through a couple of family bereavements, and a divorce, lived with my ex for a while, wasnt happy so she came to live with me for the last 4 years of her life. I knew she was happy then. The last few months she had got grumpy and incontinent but the vet said she was not in pain. On the last day I had taken her from her bed to the garden in the morning as usual, she lay her head on my shoulder and looked me in the eyes and I cried, I said "no sophie not yet I need you a bit longer". She slept the rest of the day in her bed. and then in the afternoon had a seizure which despite a rush to the vet he couldnt bring her out of it and had to give her an injection, I cuddled her the whole time.
But I think she knew that morning that she hadnt long to go. Dogs know things that we dont, they are in touch with their natural self that we dont have.
If they cant live the happy life that they are used to then they have no regrets when they have to go. Just dont let them suffer.
Its just us that have the regrets. Just remember all the great times that we have with our dogs and the love that they give us and we give them.
It took me 6 years before I could get another dog, but I still have Sophies leads colars, fave toy and the jumper I held her in. And of course her ashes in a little box on the shelf.

Sorry to be so sad but dont anyone feel bad, just a little sad.

I want to say thank you to you and all the other kinds folks who responded to my post. I must say that I shed more than a tear as I read about everyone's journey with their little, loving friends. The amazing thing is that tonight, after 2 days on his 3rd and final medicinal offering from our vet, Charlie does seem more like his old self and his eyes have recaptured their old spark. I'm well aware that I mustn't believe that this is going to be the ongoing state of things, but I feel as though he's gotten a bit of a reprieve and so have I. I plan to use the time to think about all your words of wisdom and hope I can act wisely when the time seems to be right. I love the ideas that have been passed along...to save a lock of hair and his favorite toy. The most important thing i hope I can hold on to is his dear, gentle spirit.

i can't imagine having to make your decision.

My family rescue ex - breeding bitches, and one of our first was a scotty called gypsie.

When she came to us she was so scared, as you can imagine, not having much human contact etc.

We found she loved going to the park and running around with the other dogs. It was so lovely to see this, we also had a border terrier, ex - breeder, plus my 2 shih tzus, and it was heart walming to know they had never had this before. After one of her walks, we notcied she was breathing rather heavily, so we took her to our vets, who told us she had heart failure! I could not accept it, but he told us with medication, he may be able to prolong her life. We never got the choice to let her go, as 2 weeks after starting her meds, she passed away in my living room

Words fail me, and i know my story is no sadder than anyone elses, it just feels that way. I don't know if i would have prefered to have known she was going to go so quick.

My heart really does go out to you, and i send all my love and best wishes xx

Do hope Charlie gets better.
You obviously care very much, so Im sure whatever you do will be the right thing for him.

Oh how sad.... bought tears to my eyes reading this sometimes life's decisions can feel harsh and uncompromising

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When I said godbye to my wonderful dog, I planted a tree, and have photo next to my bed, I always kiss her goodnight, makes me feel better, I feel for you god bless x

Welcome to the forum there are some lovely people here.
I had to have my Yorkshire Terrier, Pepper, put to sleep 4 years ago. I had her from a pup and she was 16 years old when i had to let her go.
At age 8 years she had a Stroke and had medication for the last 8 years.
At the end she had a condition that the vet said she had picked up off the chickens and got slowly weaker and lost a third of her weight in no time. She then developed problems in her mouth and could not eat properly. She would just fall over sideways and hit the ground with a bang and go stiff and would get lost in a corner or behind the door and couldn't work out how to get out. I couldn't see her suffer like that, i loved her too much and owed it to her for all the love she had given us all for so long to let her go. I held her while she took her last breath and sat and talked to her for a while after. I could not bury her in the garden as we didn't have one at the time and i decided i wanted to keep her with me, so i had her cremated and still have her ashes in a small china pot painted with Forget-Me-Nots. She will be buried with me.