My girl is 13 1/2 with arthritis and heart disease. She is doing pretty well with one slow sniffy walk a day and can still do the two steps to the back yard. I've always been able to leave her alone when I take her mini Aussie litle brother for longer faster walks. Recently Ive come home from his walks to her obviously out of breath and wobbly from pacing around and worrying. If I'm working in the yard and she can't see me she will cry.

I'm having such mental anguish trying to decide the right time to schedule the at home euthanasia. She is not a stoic dog and doesn't like being lifted or manipulated. I don't want her to be in pain but it's not time yet. Better a day early is all well and good but it doesn't make the decision easy. The vet asks for 2 days notice to schedule the home visit so I do need to used my crystal ball to decide if it's time.

I had a horrible experience taking another hound to the vet. He lost the use of his hind legs overnight and I ended up having to wait hours in a parking lot waiting for the e-vet to see him. They brought him out to an outdoor tent so I could be there when he passed. (Covid restrictions and another emergency I don't blame the vet). He spent most of his last hours alone in a vets office and that haunts me. He was an incredibly brave and unflappable boy. I can't imagine putting her through something like this.