My Scarlet is 12 and 1/2 years old. It is 11 months since she lost her sight completely and despite her blindness and arthritic leg she has I think enjoyed a reasonable quality of life. In the past few weeks I feel that the situation has altered. She seems to just want to be on her own on the rug in the bedroom and seems to want little connection with me or my husband. She eats quite well and I take her out twice a day but just lately her hearing has diminished and although she does still hear me she has lost some of the range. I wonder if she is depressed. I have to wonder if she wants to be here at all. I feel so helpless with what to do, she is our only dog and since she hadher eyes removed ( glaucoma ) it is very hard to see her..if you know what I mean. Any thoughts anyone..this is so hard. 

I have to wonder if she wants to be here at all. I feel so helpless with what to do

I think you're the only person who can answer that one. She's your dog, unfortunately it falls to you make that decision. :( I feel so sad for you as I know how awful it is. I've only been there once, so far, but I found when the time came although it was dreadful, it was actually an easy choice, I knew what he would've wanted me to do if I could have asked him. That's all I can say really, once you can honestly face what they would chose you have your answer, even if it's not the answer you wanted.

Big {{{hugs}}} for you. Whatever you decide. x

I know with one of my girls who went blind when she lost her hearing soon after she just couldn't cope with the world, would throw herself to the floor and not want to do anything.  This was a dog who loved the world and loved me but when this happened I knew that she'd had enough as she wasn't able to do what she could before and I felt that the best thing for her was to have her PTS even though all her other organs were strong and healthy.

Oh Sue, what a decision to have to make.  {{{{  HUGS  }}}}

We have all been there, and know what it is like to have to love them enought to let them go.  I'm with DarkStorm on this one.  You will know if it is kindest to let her go, and, because you love her, you will know when the time is right.

Remember - Better a week too early, than a day too late.  My thoughts are with you.

Nothing to add to the good advice already given, accept to say my heart goes out to you, it is heartbreaking to have to make decisions like this but at the end of the day if you feel her quality of life is no longer there then it is kindest to let her go to rainbow bridge with dignity. All the love and support I can convey through a computer screen to you. I find this quote a comfort
"Those of us who surround ourselves with lives more temporary than our own, live within a fragile circle that is easily and often breached.
Yet knowing this, we still would choose to live no other way."
-- Irving Townsend

Does she connect with you and your husband if you sit on the rug with her? Could it be because she can no longer see or really hear, that sitting on the rug just feels safer for her rather than sensing her way around the house. If she is still enjoying her walks and eating well she may still be ok, she may just need more sleep and rest time due to her age and perhaps boredom in the world feeling totally different for her now. A lot of dogs especially at 12.5yrs just crash out at home and only come alive when something is going on or a walk is on the cards, it's pretty normal really to be that way.

Is she excited and looks forward to her walks or is that also looking like a chore and she doesn't want to really go?

I think if my dog was lethargic at home and looked down but also on walks and was not eating much the time would be here for her to be released from a life she no longer enjoyed living.

But, if she does still like her walks and food, maybe it isn't the time yet? {{{hug}}} very hard place to be in.

Thank you all for your thoughts and kindness. Scarlet is still enjoying her food and does I think enjoy her walks. I suspect that at her age the time inbetween would be spent doing what she does now and thats lying on the rug and dozing. It is I think what feels like the loss of connection that makes it hard for me. So last night we gave her a bath, she always loved being clean and after carefully drying her she did come in and sit with us for the evening and rolled around on her back. Sometimes I think I am just so frightened of how much pain its going to be losing her and after looking after her all her life, I can't make this better.

To me it doesn't sound as if she has lost interest in life completely. To me if a dog is still eating well and enjoying its walks then all is not lost. when she gets on her rug, get down there with her. She can't see you or hear you around so well anymore so she problably feels confused and isolated. Physical contact, plenty of touching is called for here. Give her what she wants food wise, spoil her rotten bascially :) But old dogs do sleep a lot, doesn't mean they are depressed just that dozing the day away is part of getting older for them.