How do you know when it's 'time' for a senior dog

[Adhdmum2]

Dog is 12.5years. we rescued him last year at 11 years 3 months old and he's literally become our lives. His floppy ears have dried more tears from my kids than I can count. He licks dd age 4 as soon as she gets home from school and sits on her on the sofa until she's calm (ASD). He's always loved a walk and a sniff and a play at home.
We've noticed him slowing down a lot. He has arthritis anyway but one of his back legs keeps giving way at least once a day. He's reduced coming up to the sofa, he's reduced his food intake and is sick a small amount after each meal.
He's been sleeping a lot more too, he's always been lazy but I'd say he's now awake for a max of 3 hours a day.
I've said to dh I think it's coming to the end, but he's insistent he's got time left in him.
I have no idea what's best. When do you know it's time?

https://cloud9vets.co.uk/is-it-time/
so sorry to hear this OP. I must have driven my vets insane asking them if it was time for my old dogs recently. I read something recently where a vet said that when they start to go off food slowly and you have to introduce more and more treats to entice them then that is time. I found this checklist helpful when I was trying to find the right time. Breaks your heart but we are so lucky to have them. My dogs had injections monthly for arthritis which improved their quality of life quite a bit at the end.

Has he seen a vet recently? If not, that’s always a good idea. I’m sorry to say, going on what you’ve written, I think you may be right. It’s all down to his quality of life, bearing in mind dogs can mask a lot of pain. I know that there is a “check list” on the internet that you can use to get an idea of quality of life, but I’m sorry I don’t have a link. It is very useful, and can provide some reassurance that you are doing the right thing by your boy. Sorry you’re going through this ♥️

Cross post - I see pp has posted the link to the check list 🙏

See a vet - they’ll assess your lively hound and advise

Is such a hard call to make. We're in a similar position and I have to be his advocate. We are having a few nice days and then it will be time to say goodbye.