His real pleasure has always been seeing you: pack leader, friend, source of food, safety, comfort and love.
When it comes to his last day, be with him if you can.
Reading back over my previous reply, it might be interpreted to imply that I think you’re the sort of person who would have a dog put down when they became an inconvenience. I didn’t mean that at all. I think I know you and I know you aren’t that kind of person.