It’s good that you were with him until the end, that’s a kindness that can’t be underestimated.

What was his age and breed? Did he live a healthy life or were there lots of issues?

We have a German shepherd/mastiff mix who's closing in on 10 years of age. All kinds of signs of him slowing down over the past year or so, which is fully to be expected. But it makes it no less painful to witness. I don't know what he's got left in him. Another couple of years, if we're lucky. Makes me sad to think about it. Such a great companion, he's been.

and 15 years old. He came from a puppy mill and I'm sure his genes were not up to par. But, was as loyal as they come. Always had one eye on mom. Took a while to notice, but he was always between mom and the door. When ever she got up to move, so did he.
Mom always gives her boys lots of treats. Me not so much. I told her they train her. When ever they go out she gave them a treat, so they scratch at the door all day to get those treats. I know it's out of love. He was always pretty trim. But in the last few years he has gone down hill.

It tears the heart out of us to lose a treasured, beloved, and loyal friend. I really am so sorry for your loss.

knowing they didn't suffer.

These are never easy, but it’s only because your time with them was so great. Rest easy, Buster.

I know the pain, it's like they take a piece of our heart with them

Grieve not
nor speak of me with tears
but laugh and talk of me
as if I were beside you...
I loved you so —
’twas Heaven here with you.

- Isla Paschal Richardson

Having gone through this multiple times (including 2x in one year), I know how difficult this is. My poor old Draper boy was riddled with cancer, so much so that the first injection sent him on his path.
I'm sad for you.

... to those who have not experienced it, just how hard it is to make a life-and-death decision about a beloved pet.

I had to make that decision about my dog, Zen, back in January. He was very much my late husband's loyal companion, and when Jeff (JeffR here on DU) was dying, he made me promise that I would look after Zen just as he did.

After Jeff passed, Zen never let me out of his sight. I think he was aware that he'd already lost someone, and was determined that he'd not lose another on his watch.

When Zen got to the point when he couldn't walk, couldn't eat, I knew it was time to let go.

My daughter, trained as a vet assistant, took him to be euthanized. She asked if I wanted to come-with. I said no - because I knew that halfway to the vet clinic, I would insist that we turn around and take him home - surely he'd be back to his old self if we just persevered.

I think the problem lies in the fact that we can tell our human loved ones that we truly love them, and they understand the words we speak. But we always wonder if our beloved pets understand the words we are trying to convey in their last moments.

My last words to Zen were that he needn't be afraid - because Jeff would be there to greet him on the other side.

I was so glad that I was with him at the end. He had been so sick.

You're in my thoughts.

Take care.

Old Buster is grateful, but it still hurts. It hurts because you’re so devoted and loving to his welfare—animals understand that.

If you were an asshole it wouldn’t hurt a bit.

It’s the side-effect of being a loving and caring person.

I always say we owe them a good death to repay all they've given us.

So sorry for your loss.

if one is in their right mind, by even more stringent criteria than for a LW&T, assisted self-suicide is legal and possible in all 50 states, or so I've read and been told, in the following way. It is something to think about...to be sure, it's not easy and not a method that is quick enough, but it is on one's own terms for dignity!

When she requested I not ever speak to her again 30 years ago, I chose to honor her request. Last year I was informed that my 92-year-old mother was in rehab from a second stroke and had hurriedly chosen Hospice and VSED to end her life on earth in May, 2021. She wound up across the hall from my brother who likewise had shunned me but had made an overture of reconciliation. I spoke and visited with him, and he too passed from illness in the fall of this past year.

Hoping for a reconciliation at any point along those many years, a simple mindful apology for the hateful things she'd spoken to me and about her grandchildren never materialized. I can only guess what that toxic lady must have said to my father, sister(?), and brother because I was also disinherited by all three: father, mother, and brother. I'll never know if her choice was really made "legally" or even true. Instead perhaps it was even encouraged by equally greedy and cunning siblings near the end of my parents' lifetimes. It's the only way I can even imagine my mother could have been a registered and voting Democrat! She certainly had the charity and empathy of TFG to me and mine! Maybe I had made the best decision possible for the benefit of my sister's challenged child, as well as my family, all those years ago after all. Yup, a lot of questions remain, but no regrets that I was apparently well-played long term!

Family dynamics and drama are terrible for everyone. I'm very lucky to have only one relative a brother and his two kids. Talk to him monthly and see him once every 3 or 4 years at the most.
A few years ago I visited Italy and fell in love with it. Thought it'd be a great place to move to. Did a little research and found out that Family Drama was the norm there and changed my mind.
Still have one small dog and two cats. One cat is a new old kitty. Ms. Multigrain lost an old friend to cancer a few months ago and promised she would take Cleo. She ended up being a treasure. Her and the other kitty and pup were also rescues. It's like we never go looking for a pet. They have a way of finding us.