When to know it’s time

[RockAndRollerskate]

There’s a lot of threads on this but I’m adding one more.

I have a lovely GSD girl, 12 years old. She’s been going slowly blind for 3 years and that’s now almost complete. She gets along fine, we keep the walkways clear and keep her on a lead on walks.

The issue is that she now appears to be going deaf and I’m concerned about the negative impact on her quality of life.

She largely spends the day on her bed, is happy to go for a wander round the garden or a short walk. Still eats and drinks fine.

DH is saying not to PTS unless she goes to toilet in the house or shows she is in bad pain or snaps at the children (she’s never once shown this inclination and they largely leave each other alone).

I would hate to keep an animal alive for my own benefit.

What are your thoughts?

My 14 year old staff never showed any pain, but he most definitely was in pain.

I was always waiting on a 'sign', but I did make the decision. Now it's been a few months and I'm coming to terms with my loss, I feel I can be honest and say I should have let him go sooner.

I look back now and I really question the quality if life he had. Sure he was still eating, drinking, mugging me for treats - but he wasn't living life, more existing in it.

I think I'd rather let them go, in my arms, whilst they could still hear me tell them I loved them more than anything in the world.

I’m not an overly emotional person but @BatsHaveButtcheeks I did fill up a bit there (then had a chuckle at your username!)

I’ve witnessed family members keep dogs around for far too long when they were clearly suffering and miserable and I really don’t want that to be me.

I’m concerned about that exact thing, is she just existing. I’m also worried that she may snap one day through being startled if one of the kids makes her jump or falls on her (they’re 1&3).

I had a tear writing it! But then I still cry when I think of my boy.

Trouble with animals, is they can't understand what's happening to them, when their lives get dark and quiet. Thinking of you, it's the hardest thing we have to do for our pets