What a day.
We adopted an elderly re home from our breeders about 3 years ago.He was 11 - a good age for an Alaskan Malamute.The breeder couldn't have him in the house as he apparently didn't like cats,and howled constentley in the kennels,refusing to eat Previous to this he would only eat Bakers!!!!.Steve,my OH and I decided to give him a home.If only for a few happy months.Well in that time he has 'mothered' 3 litters of kittens,shares his tea with 2 cats and a kitten.Mentored 3 canadian eskimo puppies and a Mal puppy.He is much loved and has been a big part of our lives for 3 years - he will be 14 in December.
However,he has eaten little for 2 weeks and struggles to get around.He still goes to work with Steve every day but today his frailility is much worse.Steve rang me at work,very upset.We now think the time has come to let him go.Ideally I would like him to fall asleep at home(or even in the van where he loves).He is in no pain but it breaks my heart to see him soo 'old',he weed himself today for the first time ever.I just hate the thought of taking him to the vets.Maybe when the time comes we can call the vet out.Poor Spook wish we could have him for longer :(

I'm so sorry for you. What a wonderful thing that this boy found his way to you for his retirement. 

Oh Jude, I'm really feeling for you right now..

If I could do it again for any of my animals that didn't require going into the vets then being pts at home i'd take over having to do that drive any day of the week..

He's clearly a well loved boy and look at everything he has done with you and your family and more in the 3yrs you've had him, well done you xxx

Healing thoughts being sent your way

What a wonderful old boy he sounds, what a treasure and what a blessing that he came to you to end his days.

It is sad to watch our oldies slow down and unwind with time and although it is a nice thought that when this happens they will just fall asleep and drift away........ more than often that doesn't happen and we are left to make that awful decision before pain sets in or life becomes too hard, which is very hard to do,  but we always know when that time has come.

So many of us will feel your pain at this time, it never gets any easier, but you will know when it is right. xx

It's worth asking, both vets I've been registered with up here would be happy to come out for the last journey - certainly when Soli goes it's going to be done here as the vets is such an upsetting place for her, and I'm going to try and get one specific vet as he's the only one she's ever trusted to any degree.

It's a horrible thing but so much easier when we can make it that bit more comfortable for them :-)

So sad when you have to make the'this is the time' decision,
been there 5 times, 1st two the vet came out to the house, next two we went to the vets, last one was daughters Rott who was another  'the van where he loves'  She went up to the vets but parked in a quiet area and the vet came and injected Widge in her bed still in the van with no unneccessary stress or struggle to move around.
may be an option for you to consider.
Chris

Aaaw sounds like he has had a great retirement home...

Our Taz went off his food for a couple days- I bought canned food, even cooked him up human food just to get him to eat- think he only did so to make me happy. He never wanted to go anywhere just have a lay down. He was in no pain and still enjoyed all the hugs and kisses he would get- funny he would eat his treats lol He went peacefully on his own with us by his side holding his head. Just took a couple deep breaths and then he was gone. That night he messed where he was sleeping, cleaned it all up and noticed when he went to walk his back legs were giving out a lil wobbley. We thought he was just sore from laying- figured I would make a vet appt in the morning- this was very early in the morning I think 2am. So we went back to bed then heard the old fellow whining- went downstairs to see him and stayed with him the entire time cause every time we stood up he would whine :-( Then we realized it was his time and just held him with alot of tears and talked to him- he was our big boy- 158-162 pounds (11 stone 4 lbs-11 stone 8 lbs). By the time he passed away it was prob around 5:30 am- he even gave us kisses, think he was saying goodbye :-( truly miss our boy- he was a huge part of our lives. I do hope my other dogs are able to go as Taz did.

Guess what I am saying is if your old chap is in no pain then let him go naturally, totally up to you, it is def your choice and a personal choice at that.

All the best in with what you chose

take care

He sounds like a one in a million, what a sweet old lad.

I've had all my dogs and cats pts at home, and unless it was an emergency I'd always make that choice, so much more peaceful for the animal and you. The first time I was present when a dog was pts was my friends rescue Rottie Becky, it just seemed so sad to see her slip away on a cold floor, that I vowed if it was possible, all mine would be done at home and to hell with the cost.

Ahh what a lovely boy you have...such a sad time when they get old and you know that dreaded time is coming...although I love to get them to an old age as we have lost a few young one's.

My vets always come out if you ask them and they will do everything calmly at your home.  They then disappear whilst we let our other dogs in so they can acknowledge their friend is no longer with them....we have felt this has helped so much in their grieving process..although it is so very sad.

I hope all goes well whatever you decide...sending hugs x

Oh dear such a sad time for you:-(

We have always got our vet to come out and we also have a sedative which we have given the girls with their last meals a couple of hours before so they are comfortable snoozing to make the last vet visit azcalm and peaceful time.

Will be thinking of you all and Spook x

Jude, we had the same situation with our old boy that we let go last year. For both our sammys the vet has come out to the house to PTS & we have taken them ourselves to the crematorium when the other dogs had said goodbye. Makes it alot ''easier'' on everybody.
You will know when the time is right.
Hugs (see you and your new baby soon)

Thanks everone.I have just got in from work and he has decided to stay in the van.I have given him a cuddle and as he hasn't touched his dinner,I will try to hand feed him something.It will hit Steve really hard as since we have had him he has gone to work every day.He has been so good he will just lay in the van with the doors open and hardly move, clock watchimg to lunch time and mid day treats.

So sorry that it seems that he is deteriorating. I know when I have had to go to the Vet being pretty sure that it would be the last journey and yet still hoping that there may be something still in reserve, I have asked the Vet to come to the car to see them and if necessary to help them on their next journey. Good luck. Sad times.

I was told many years ago...Better a day too early than a day too late.

So sad for you.

Ah Jude he sounds such a sweet lad. Will he eat some boiled egg or smelly cheese, maybe a tripe stick?
It's always a hard time and never gets any easier, no matter how many times we go through it. My vet will come out to me unless it's an emergency as in the case of my old girl (hard to believe she's been gone nearly a year) and then we had to take her down late at night after she had rallied earlier and by then she was past caring.
Thinking of you.

Oh jude.
The one thing I will say is that I had Gemma PTS at home on her bed. The BEST thing I ever did for her. I couldnt have taken her to the vets.
I think(and I know cost isnt an issue for a dog you love) it only cost me £20 extra.
I know how you are feeling xxxxxx
Stay strong xxxxx
Lea xxx

Well he just surprised me by getting himself out of the van and made his way to the front porch,He has eaten about a thumb size piece of chicken - nothing more.His breathing is rather slow as well,but he is pain free and has enjoyed a scratch and cuddle by me,

He has told you :-) x

Oh I'm so sorry, it's a heartbreaking time. My wonderful vet came to the house when my lovely girl was ready to go and as someone has already said, better a day too soon than a day too late. She greeted him at the door and laid down waggy tailed as he stroked her and we cuddled her. Her breathing had changed that morning, her appetite had changed. He told me we had timed it perfectly and he only wished many other owners could manage the same but appreciated the turmoil involved and heartbreak.
You helped him so much in his elderly years...maybe now it's time to give him his last helping hand, as hard and heartbreaking as it is, you can't be sure will go peacefully in his sleep naturally, this way you can, with you beside him. That was my decision breaker but I know how hard it is. Thinking of you both.

Afer having a little accident he has asked to go out,so OH has carried him out into the van where he normally lies on a blanket in front of the back seats.He is still peaceful and in a place he loves.

Well he is still with us,still peaeful.Hopefully he will be able to go to work one last time,

Such a sad time for you all, thoughts are with you.

thinking of you at this sad time,he is a lucky lad to have such wonderfull loving owners,keep your chin up my love,xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

How sad for you, but remember he just knows your love and that's what keeps him going. He's in the place he loves the best, with the people and animals he wants to be with--you can't make it any better than that for him, bless you for giving him a lovely life and a dignified loving end when it finally comes. 

It's with a heavy heart that I have to tell you that Spook passed away this morning.He went to work with Steve on Saturday but didn't really want to get out when they came home.He was still comfy,though could barely stand.On Sunday he went to the van,but didn't have the strength to get in.So Steve carried him in and he lay on his blanket.He stayed there all night,with both of us checking on him.We let him go to work with Steve this morning,we knew this would be the last time.At 11am he passed away in his sleep.His breathing just got shallower and less.
Steve brought him home and lay him to rest in our back garden,burying him with his bowl,treat and blankets.He also has a 1st place rosette.Though never a show dog,he will always be first in our hearts,
Good night Spook xx

cornishmal I am so sorry , he obviously had a wonderful life which probably doesnt help much atm
RIP spook x

I'm so sorry for your loss.

Sweet dreams Spook.

xxx

I'm so sorry. I'm glad you both got to say a proper goodbye at least. Oldies are SO special, and I've had oldie rescues myself and they have left huge imprints on my heart, in fact far more so than some dogs I had for much longer. Quality of time rather than quantity.

I am so sorry, but what a lovely way to go, in his sleep in the place he felt most comfortable xxxx
{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}
Lea xx

So sorry to hear about Spook but so nice he was doing what he loved to do and was with one of the people he loved.

Run free boy x

I'm so sorry but pleased you were able to give him the passing you hoped for and that he has had such a wonderful time with you in his  oldie years. Run free young man. X

So sorry for your loss. Spook was very fortunate to have found you to care for him. He will always have a special place in your hearts.
Hugs,

So so sorry for your loss, but what a lovely way to go, he made the decision for you to spare you the worry. Where ever he is now he's is no pain and feeling terrific, you gave him a great nearly 3 years of peace and joy and you him. He sounds like a gentleman to end.

So sorry for you and  very reluctantly I will be facing this very soon, I know. A dignified last few days.......... I hope I am strong enough to do the same for my elderly precious girl.

Diane

i am so sorry,sending love and best wishes from all of us here,god bless .

Bless him, he has had a quiet and peaceful end and no one can ask for more when it finally comes, though it always comes too soon. Run free Spook xx

So sorry for your loss

Spook RIP and run free from pain and old age.

Typing through tears....  I hope in time you find comfort that Spook passed away peacefully in his own home with a loving family.  A very lucky dog to have had you, being able to go to work until the end is amazing, true devotion.

Sleep well Spook

So very sorry to read this, my thoughts and prayers are with you.

Run free Spook xx

So sorry to hear that, but as others have said, it was peaceful, he had his last goodbyes and he was in a familar place - best possible way, sad though it is.

Thank you everyone for your kind words,I will show my OH later.
Its funny that all the other dogs seem to be restless.Even the 2 puppies.It seems very strange not to hear Spook especially at night when we would hear him go up and down the stairs or dig my bathroom carpet up for the millionth time and My OH and I would shout at 3am go to sleep Spook from our beds.
Little things we will miss.How he would run from the van when he got home like a youngster straight for his food bowl and how he would complain if I was late.Then realise 5 min later he was actually breaking his neck for a pee.Or how he demanded our leftovers at meal times to be scrapped into his bowl (his treat) - missed that last night :(

Just wanted to say how saddened i am to hear your sad news. The only thing to be grateful for is a) what a good home he had and life he enjoyed and b) he passed on his own terms and in the place of HIS choice and didn't let you make the decision. What a wonderful dog.

Very sad to hear Spook passed away, but also to say how lucky he was to have such understanding and loving owners.
Sleep well Spook xxx