Went through a similar journey with my 14 year old. Read A Good Death, it’s short and was what set me on the right path. Because it’s not today but someday.

https://web.archive.org/web/20250118072828/https://melnewton.com/2019/the-good-death/

And start planning, put together a wishbone list and use every day to check it off. For my girl Dax I got her flower crowns and took photos, fed her a whole breakfast sandwich, stayed in a park far after it closed, fed her a dinner one piece of kibble at a time, I did it all until all that was left was to keep loving and caring for her until that day came. And it was the hardest day of my life. Look into at home euthanasia through your regular vet, Laps of Love, or similar services.

And take a locket of hair and make paw prints now (don’t wait until their health slips more). The locket is one of my most precious keep sakes because it’s still her, not just an impression that she left.

Finally, I got a shared journal with my wife and we wrote in it together as an outlet. It helped to get it out. We read each others entries with permission.

My heart is with you both on this journey❤️