How do you know it’s time?

[Monkeyzz]

Our gorgeous dog (13) has really started slowing down recently. He’s on medication for his joint and has been for a few years now (it’s a common thing where the joint detaches but he was too old for surgery to correct it so it’s managed with pain relief). Over the last 6 months his back legs have become quite shaky, he sometimes stumbles when he gets up and he struggles to get in the car etc. He’s toiletting as normal although he sometimes wees on his front legs as he can’t cock his leg for long so will start walking again mid wee.

he still enjoys his (short) walks, and food. He is deaf and we think he has cataracts but can still see. He still rushes to see us when we get home.

im very aware of the whole ‘better a day too soon than a day too late’, but he still seems to enjoy life, although sleeps a lot.

Hiya, aww I am sorry to hear this. I went through it with my cat. My advice is that it is a grey area now - and you are in it - and you know your animal best and can see small things that suggest change - with my cat, the vet said he needed to go to sleep but we took him home and he ran when he heard the cheese wrapper in the fridge - so I knew he wasn't ready - two months later, he suddenly started making a different movement to breath and that was the moment I knew, that day he went. You know him best, you know the small changes and you know when he is no longer happy or able, and it has gone too far. There is a grey area at the end, and a line will become apparent x I am sorry x I told my cat so often how much I loved him and I would see him in heaven etc. When it was done, I walked away with the empty cat carrier and just felt relief. I hadn't realised how much I had been worrying about him.

So sorry Monkeyzz, it's such a horrible decision to have to make us t it?