My dear old dog has just been put to sleep

[LucyTheValiant]

He was 13, and the best dog anyone could ask for.

For the past couple of months he'd been going to the vet weekly to see if it was time - he's had arthritis for a couple of years but was managing until recently, and he developed a heart problem too. The vet said she was surprised he lasted this long, she was expecting to have to put him down weeks ago, and she thinks he held on because he loved us. I know she was trying to be kind but that made me feel worse, like the poor thing was miserable and we forced him And even up until the end he was so happy, wagging his tail all trusting, no idea what was going on. On the way to the vet he hung his head out of the window and was all excited to go in the car and all the while we were taking him to be killed.

I know it was the right thing and I wouldn't want him to suffer but I still feel like we have betrayed him. Is that silly?

Oh you are all so kind, thank you.

Lucy, just coming back to say:
I have always felt bad about the fact that I gave in and agreed with (then) H and vet to give my lovely Max a few more days... The final day of his life, he didn't even want to stand up when I went into the kitchen. I knew then I should have let him go sooner, and should have spoken up for him.
It's 23 years ago. I've never forgotten and feel I let him down when I knew it was his time IYSWIM.
Look at the Rainbow Bridge poem, it's guaranteed to make you cry, but is also very comforting.