Is it my dog's time to go? Please help me make the decision.

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I absolutely want to do the best for my dog.
Is it time to make The Decision?

• 16 years and 1 month old
• multiple liver tumours diagnosed 2 years ago, since then vet ruled out medication.

-blood tumors, most noticeably on head, large, probably itchy, vet advised scrupulous cleaning which we do, and sometimes antibiotics because it smells really bad. ( Antibiotics not making difference anymore though)

• very, very I mean very anxious around food. Still eating a lot, but I've been reading this morning that this could actually be a negative because his body is panicking for food, not because he's enjoying it.
• pants a lot. Whines sometimes.
• still controls his bladder and bowels

-mobility not bad for his age, though obvious arthritis in legs , much stiffer gait . -will enjoy short walks

• sleeping a lot, though I m questioning just how peaceful his sleep is ( breathes regularly, but very loudly, so maybe that is sign of discomfort too)

-does some " head pressing" when I cover his ears, just read about this today, seems like it indicates some head pain -lives with another younger dog, will get up and bark if she is barking

I've been vigilant for a while, but today am really questioning if it's time. If he is in too much stress during rest of the day to compensate short walks.

Please be honest with me
What would you do?

Oh OP, one of the hardest decisions to take.
I will write the following in a straightforward way so that I don’t get sidetracked by the emotional aspect. Having had to made similar decisions myself in the past, sometimes you can’t see the woods for the trees.
At the level of illness you describe and without medication, he must be in a lot of discomfort, possibly pain too. Dogs hide pain incredibly well.
There are a lot of subtle signs such as liking their paws /front legs for example. Add to this the current heat wave we are having, which cannot be at all pleasant for an elderly dog who also sounds like has problems with breathing.
Better for him and for you that he goes in a dignified manner, calm when it’s all been planned and you have the strength to force yourself to be positive around him and comfort him and talk gently to him. You don’t want to be in a sudden situation where you have to rush to an emergency vet, in an environment he doesn’t know, in a stressful situation.
It is very clear he is very ill and there is nothing available to make him better. You and him have enjoyed over 16 good years together. From now on it’s not good times for him or for you.
You have to be strong and deal with the overwhelming sadness and never ending tears afterwards, on your own, with your family.
I hope you’ll make the right decision for both you and the dog, he may well rally around for a longer period, hard to know. Just continue to make a fuss of him and let him enjoy anything you can possibly think of that he usually likes. Ask the vet a very direct question: how much pain is this dog in, if any, can he have painkillers.
Don’t forget you looked after him very well to get to this age even though part of it is genetics.

It's probably time. When they sleep a lot its because they have pain, I was told. They hide it, its not obvious.
You know him best. Does he seem happy?
I could tell when it was my dogs time. He was disinterested in having a cuddle, didn't seem to want to engage, struggled to walk.
He was not his former enthusiastic self, he was miserable.
They rely on us to make this hard hard decision for them. It's sad, but you can't let them suffer.

It’s a difficult call to make with the information you’re able to share. I’d definitely speak with the vet to get their perspective, and if you’ve got any friends around who have had experience, maybe get their take on it too - it sounds as though, based on what you've said here, if you’re not there yet, you’re very close, sadly.

I’m so sorry for you. I’ll be in this situation for the first time in the coming months and I’m absolutely dreading it, I’m sending you so much love and strength

Gently, if you are at the point of polling strangers on the Internet then its because you know in your heart it's time and just want it confirmed. Don't make him go on just to give yourself a few more days, let him go.

I think you are asking because you know it’s time and want to know if it’s ok to make that decision. I think it’s clear from the replies that it is ok to make that decision x

I think you should talk to your vet about his food anxiety - he is eating and drinking which is the main thing.

For me the main thing would be if he's in pain, apart from a bit of stiffness, again the vet can advise

My 16 year old dog sleeps a lot, has lost interest in his toys, has very short walks and is deaf, but he is happy in himself. If he was on pain I would be thinking the way you are.

So sorry you're going through this.

I was going to say the same 💔

It’s probably time. If not this week then very soon. 💐

We had to make the call last year, our beautiful goldie with cancer. We took him in, still not sure, but he sat blowing out sideways, puffing out his cheeks and the vet said that was a sign he was in pain so we decided to go ahead.
Daughter took a while to forgive us!

Don't let your boy suffer.

I would. Thinking of you.

This, definitely.

Agree with the other posters, once you start seriously asking this question its usually because you know in your heart its time.

It sounds like he has some serious health conditions and has reached a wonderful age. Remember dogs are very good at hiding signs of pain and discomfort as well, its better to say goodbye when they still have some quality of life rather then waiting til you can actually see them actively suffering.
Its so painful to do but the kindest, most loving thing you can do for them at times.

You have my sympathies. I had to say goodbye to my 15yr old and 16yr old girls in the last year, it never gets any easier to do.

Op, nothing new to add. Just wanted to say that I am so sorry for the position you are in.
Saying goodbye to my dog is probably the toughest thing I have had to do -because it was within my gift, I think.
And much as I miss him every minute of ever6bday, I know that there was so much love. 💐

I think deep down you already know it’s the right time.
I'm also very firmly in the camp of going a bit early rather than a moment too late.
A bit early gives some dignity, too late can be very distressing for both of you.
It doesn’t mean you love them any less if you take them early; it’s the exact opposite.
It’s very tough.
Yours is clearly another dog who has been completely loved and cherished for every second of their life: lucky dog.

Let him go now calmly, peacefully and on your own terms. Give him a lovely last day and then let him go. Don't let it get to a rushed or emergency situation, that's not best for him or you.

I’d ask for a vet check on him and see what their opinion is.

Thank you.
I have an appointment tomorrow to see what they say.

It’s the last act of love for our animals, personally I think it’s time to say goodbye

It’s such a horrible decision. I left our poor old dog too long before finally letting her go, because taking that last step was so hard. She was 14.5.
Thinking of you 🐶🙏