I had to go through that last Spring.
My old red dog, Congo, almost made it to his 16th birthday.
For me, it was harder watching him get old and lose his zest for life, than the actual putting to sleep part.
Congo twitched when he heard just about anything. He would walk in circles and stare in the closet for hours. He would stand over his bed and not lay down, like it was too much work to lay down and he couldn't get comfortable. He ate, but not much. He drank, but not much. He started having issues going out the doggy door. I can't count how many times he had accidents in my room, the last 2 years of his life. It was like he forgot where he was, doggy dimentia. He didn't interact with anyone, dog or human.
I felt the time had come. The day of the vet appointment, I first took him to Burger King for 2 hamburgers. He ate one but just looked at the other. Then, down to the river for one last walk. We didn't get far and he was disoriented and had no spring in his step. I had to carry him back to the car. Once at the vet, he just leaned into me. He let me know that it was OK, he'd had a great life. He wanted me to give him the ultimate gift. The gift of a young body. It truly was like he just went to sleep. He was ready for a nice long nap.
I picture him now running & jumping & playing & rolling in stuff & eating all the canned food he can hold in his belly. He will always be my first b and will always be the best b ever!
You've done your job. You've loved him and helped him live a long, healthy life. He will always have a spot in your life and your heart. That never goes away. Wishing you the strength to listen to Blaze. He'll let you know when he's ready.