Since it has been a while, I hope I don't hit any sore feelings if your dog has passed. If this is the case, I offer my sympathies, and hope your heart is healing.

You take care and I can hear you. I am the same and exhausted, adore my dog but feel stressed and could cry. Scared and guilty but would do anything for her but will not miss this situation which is not the same as missing her. I feel guilt for leaving a room, thinking about the end and family and friends sympathize but it is never the same. I can’t live with the guilt of letting someone I have spent 16 years with die. It this is exhausting

You take care x

I was exhausted. I had not had a restful night's sleep in what seems like 6 months. I tried everything I could think of to get her settled before bedtime, but the moment I'd leave she'd be awake for most of the night, banging around and struggling, keeping me awake and ultimately checking on her, then she'd sleep all day, save for eating and drinking some water. She had neuropathy and was falling down, and it had progressed to the point she couldn't stand and eat anymore, and I had to lift and carry her often. It took its toll on both of us.

I now have three more senior dogs who are also on a wide range of medicines and treatments one is 18 the others are 17 and 16.

I'm realizing now with the greatly expanded medical options for senior dogs they can live much longer but at much greater expense and significant mental and physical toll to their owners who do it out of love and devotion.

However I'm also realizing this may not be the best thing for the owners or the dogs. The owners go through a lot of expense and mental and physical stress while the dogs often have their lives extended for a few more years which are often a large share of pain in return for a dwindling share of joy over time. The dogs dont know they are getting extra time. And I am not sure they always want or need it.

I know this isn't my fault but I'm feeling so tired and alone rn with this situation.

I hate that people say there's no such thing as "too soon" for euthanasia. There definitely is and I witnessed it as a kid. I vowed I'll never put an animal to rest too soon again, but I also don't know when the right time is.

I wish I could talk to other people about this. I don't feel like I can. I tried to talk to a good friend once (she doesn't have a dog). She said, "Oh, I'm so sorry, I'm sure this is terrible for you, but at least you can always get another dog." I felt so hurt. I feel like people won't understand, even other pet owners unless they also have an old dog.

I won't give up on my dogs when they are still loving life. When they are too sore, too tired, or too weak to do the things they love, I will steel myself and do the right thing for them. Until then, I will keep enjoying the sweet little moments I have with them. Thank you for providing a place for us to talk to others who understand.

I’m a 46-year-old single guy who lives 1,000 miles from my nearest relative (they’ve never considered helping) and really don’t have a support system.

For the past 5 years my wonderful, faithful best friend has been dealing with issues including cancer, a fungal infection, lost eye, arthritis and now dementia.

I haven’t had a decent night’s sleep in months, spend most of my time checking on her and can’t remember the last day I didn’t break down in tears.

Thank you for this.

I don’t feel comfortable trying to explain my situation to others, so reading this has helped me realize that others also share my daily struggles.

I love my dog and hate the idea of saying goodbye to her, but trying to do it all on my own may put me in the ground before her.

Thanks again, it’s helpful knowing others are going through the same thing.