The End Is Fast Approaching...., approaching death Options

[anniegirl]

Thank you for this forum. Is it alright if I ramble? I hope someone understands.
I have been searching and searching, I am grieving yet my beloved dog has not been put to sleep yet. She is a doberman/lab almost 14 years old. She is arthritic and on medication. At her vet appointment last week, she had lost weight. Our vet indicated this could be the beginning of the end come Winter.
14 seems old for a large dog her size yet it feels like she could be 20 and that would still not be enough time with her. Will I ever feel o.k. about putting her to sleep, knowing it is the right thing to do?
I have decided to have our vet come here rather than put her down at the vet office. Our dog hates going to the Vet office and dragging her in would not be something I would never want to remember.
Has anyone been in this situation? Have some advice or thoughts to make it through this?
Thank you.

[Miss Mew]

Like Anniegirl, I too would welcome some advice. I discovered this site at the beginning of October after losing my 21 year old cat, Miss Mew. We have 3 other cats and a 14 year old Shepherd named Mik. He was diagnosed with degenerative myelopathy when he was 12. For those not familiar with this disease, it is autoimmune in nature and is called the M.S. of dogs. There is no cure but there are protocols that will slow down the progression. With no intervention most dogs are paralysed in the hindquarters within 6 months. We feel lucky that we have been able to buy Mik some more time, but in the last week the bad days are beginning to outnumber the good ones. My husband refuses to to consider the possibility of a cart, and I tend to agree as you first have to be able to lift a 100 pound dog into the cart.
Unfortunately we have to be prepared for euthenasia. A couple of months ago I called every single animal hospital in our area, but could not find a vet that would come to our home. When the time comes we are going to have to face the challenge of transporting a semi-paralysed dog from our house, to the car, and then to the clinic. Mik is not aggressive but has always been anxious and frightened during his visits to the vet. His last appointment, when he was diagnosed with DM the vet had us put a muzzle on him, and I don't want him subjected to that again. Should we give him a tranquilizer before leaving ? I can't see this dog having an I.V. line inserted without being very scared.
I was with Miss Mew when she passed, and it was very peaceful and easy for her, but she was very ill and weak. The awful thing about myelopathy is that the dog is alert and in no pain which makes the prospect of euthenasia all the more nightmarish. It feels surreal to be talking about this but I don't know where else to turn. In asking for help, I truly hope not to bring back bad memories for anyone and if I do I am so sorry. If anyone can tell me how to make this the least stressful and painless for Mik, I would be very grateful.
Nicole