So sorry, ThelmaLou. Hold on to the good memories and maybe it will not hurt as much.
My heart is breaking for you. It’s the most selfless thing we can ever do for our beloved companions, and it is also the hardest. Well done you, for making this painful decision on Buddy’s behalf. Sending hugs, too.
So sorry to hear that! OMFG, I’m going to go into tears, and I’m a 45 year old 250 pound man. April of last year my ex had to put my Bionda down, and I wanted to be there but was literally half a world away. I won’t steal your thunder describing my pain, other than to say that I empathize, something I’m seldom able to do.
Oh I am so sorry. It has to be done but it still hurts like hell. I’ll give my Nathan scritches in Buddy’s honor. I’ll think of your other dog too.
You have my sympathy.
Thank you all again.
I’m so sorry. By all means, share your story if inclined. You’re among dog-loving friends.
I am so sorry. You gave him love and a good life, and it’s also a burden on us to give them a good death, when the moment comes, even when it shreds our hearts.
Amen to that, every time. We have vets here who will euth your pet at home. It costs extra but we’ve used them for the last couple dogs we’ve had to put down. It’s a lot better than spending their last moments on a cold stainless steel examination table under the harsh lights of the vet’s office.
Really missing my little Buddy this morning. 
He was such a luminous canine presence. I think Sweetie is getting the idea, too-- they were really close.
Can we get a few extra hugs, please?
ThelmaLou, still not sure how to signify HUGS here, but have a few thousand from me. Sorry about Buddy.
Thank you. 
I appreciate it.
Lots of hugs from a dog lover and cat owner. You done good by Buddy.
Thanks, y’all.
My house feels a little like that scene in A Christmas Carol where the Ghost of Christmas Future takes Scrooge to the Cratchitt home after Tiny Tim has died, and his absence is deeply felt.
(Hope that’s not a spoiler for anyone. Tiny Tim doesn’t actually die.)
{{{hugs}}}
I’m sorry, ThelmaLou. I know how it feels. You did all you could for Buddy. Take comfort in that. Your dog sounds like he was loved very much.
So sorry ThelmaLou. Buddy had the best he could have ever had, and having to decide when it’s best for him to leave his earthly coil is a privilege of the love we have for them.
I know the weird vacuum of sound and energy they leave when they’re gone. Heartfelt thoughts.
Thanks, y’all.
It’s always hard to say goodbye to our canine and feline family members. I had to say goodbye to her highness, the Princess Charlotte, after 16 years this past November. She, too, had been in a clear decline for awhile, but when her rear legs suddenly stopped working, it was time to take her in. Still miss that imperious little feline. She owned me, and she knew it.
So thinking of you and your Buddy at this time. He’ll be waiting for you.
Dog hugs from Luna and Simone, both cuddlers of the first rank. Simone in particular has always been a nurturer, and licks and encourages any dog she finds in distress.
If it’s any consolation, I find that every dog changes who I am, and how I interact with other dogs I meet. So in that sense a little bit of them lives on in us and in our pack’s culture, which I think they would like if they understood.
Postscript.
I’m glad I made the decision about Buddy when I did. Looking back, his last month or so was very hard for him. He was struggling every day, but being a dog, he wasn’t going to give up (where a person might). He could have continued in that state for a while, maybe even a few weeks, but there was no fun or joy, only times when he was less miserable than other times.
In the past, I have waited too long with some animals-- I didn’t want to do that with him. And I didn’t. A very difficult decision, but I’m sure it was the right one. Sweetie and I miss him.