"Paul" wrote in message
...
Thanks all for your comments..

Things have moved on slightly now and I think having visited the vet that
today Sandy will go to sleep for the last time. Her quality of life is not
what it was, she does not go out for walks, she doesn't play ball and she
is not interested in cuddles, everything she does seems such an effort.

She finds it difficult to get up, in particular her back legs are week to
the point where I have seen her sat in her own mess as she was unable to
get up to go.

I hear her whimper at times and know it is either through pain distress

It is still very difficult, she seems to enjoy her food but finds it
difficult to eat... I hope I am doing the right thing but something inside
me this time is saying "let her go"

I feel this is going to be the worst day of my life.

Paul

As another poster has already said, sit down and talk to her about it.
Whether it helps her or not, it WILL help you. And secondly, be prepared
for getting another dog in the very near future. Since I was born almost 29
years ago, I`ve had about 6-7 days when I`ve not had a dog. It`s not
disrespectful to get another dog, but I would say be wary about getting a
"replacement" dog if you see what I mean - be prepared for a whole new
adventure with the new dog. Yes it`s hard at the very end, but you have the
same problems over a longer timescale with friends and family. When you
consider the alternative, of living a very sad and lonely life, the price
you pay now is worth it a million times over for the years of companionship
you`ll have.