Understandable. I’m sorry you’re going through this 
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I agree with your vet. I’ve lost so many pets over the years (I’m nearing 58), so I feel this post so deeply. But here is why I think your vet knows of what they speak. Back in my first marriage, I had a cat who had been with me since college. He was my roommate’s cat, but we fell in love with each other (the cat and I, not the roommate and I), and she let him move with me when that semester ended. I spent so many wonderful years with Rhubarb (that was his name when we met), and he was often my only friend it seemed and my anchor in troubled times. First he developed diabetes and required twice a day insulin injections, and he handled that like a champ. And then he developed pancreatitis, and needed a powder mixed in his food. We did that for at least a year, and the shots for a couple of years. But then he developed kidney failure and that was harder to treat. After a particularly long night (I had stayed up all night with him) he looked at me that morning, and I swear he was telling me it was time to let him go. I called the vet as soon as she opened, and told her to expect us soon. It was probably the hardest thing I ever did, but I know that it was his time, and he told me in his own way. My hope for you and Calvin is that you get to do this on your own terms, and maybe Calvin will be able to let you know. Sending thoughts of peace, hope and love.
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The fact that you’re putting so much thought into it means you aren’t doing this. Calvin is a very lucky boy.
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With our family’s first dog approaching double digits and showing small signs of decline, @profgrumpy , your thought process has been very meaningful for me to help me think, process, and let the emotional pieces be present.
Not what I expected from this silly site but thank you.
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I don’t think you are being selfish at all. I think choosing a date/time allows you some sense of control in a terrible situation where you essentially have no control. You can’t control Calvin’s health and well being. We all want to have some sense of control over things in life. When things are out of our control, we seek to find that control in some way to alleviate our own anxieties.
Just know that when you make that decision, you are doing what is best for Calvin. You know that it would be too difficult for Calvin to be left with someone else while you are on vacation. You’ve always been very analytical in your decision making and this is no different.
Peace to you in this difficult situation.
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I am so sorry you are facing this situation with Calvin. I don’t have any words of comfort to add except to say I, too, understand that struggle of when is the right time since it seems no time is ever really “right.” Exactly one year ago this Sunday, I had to let my beautiful 16 year old border collie go. His strength had steadily deteriorated over the previous year, and he could no longer do his patrolling stroll around the edge of my property. He could barely tolerate walking 10-20 feet outside to do his business, and he couldn’t go up the stairs anymore to sleep in my room at night. For his last year I moved into the tiny bedroom on the main floor just so he could be near me every night. A few days before I had our local vet come to our house, he struggled just to get up. His heart and lungs and insides were still healthy, but he had finally lost his mobility enough to be able to do anything he really enjoyed doing except to be close to me. As a herding dog, he was miserable to not be able to even go on long walks with me anymore. Then on the day the vet was coming over, he had more energy than the previous few weeks, and I kept picking my phone up and putting it down wondering if it was really the “right” time. But, I knew overall his quality of life had deteriorated and wouldn’t be coming back. Also, my teen and I were leaving for Universal at the end of that month, and I was also getting a new teen foster daughter. I knew it would be incredibly taxing on my pet sitter to be able to care for Rex the way I had, and he would be suffering without me as well. Before the vet came over, I slowly walked my boy to a shady spot under one of his favorite trees, and he just sort of melted into the grass with a very contented sigh. That is where the vet was able to send him into his final rest. This year on Sunday, I’m going to bury part of his ashes under the shade of that tree and place a memorial stone there. I still miss him terribly as I know you will miss Calvin. You have been the best dad to your boy, and he knows you love him very much. Sending hugs and caring to you. 
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And now this is something that is up front in my mind as well.
Merida’s bloodwork was not what I’d hoped. She does have a heart condition causing the murmur. They also discovered diabetes and a related UTI. And slight anemia, but we’re not worrying about that at this point. Right now she is healthy and really doesn’t show any signs - beyond peeing a lot. But this means I’ll likely have to make a call at some point in the future. 
Still sending hugs and good thoughts your way.
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As much as I love your trip report, I’m even happier to see Calvin.
I’ve been away from the forum for a while dealing with my parents’ health (& deatch). I’ve had a lot of discussions lately with family about how we’re more humane to animals with end-of -life options than we are to humans.
As my dog is approaching 13 and showing signs of aging, I know I’ll have to start considering when she’s telling me it’s time versus me not wanting to make the decision. It won’t be easy. @profgrumpy I know this is very difficult for you and I know you will make your decision with compassion and logic.
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Well, Matt, I had to face this dilemma just last night. One of my old cats (just turned 16) has been declining over the last month. At first I thought maybe he had a cold (which happens), but then I thought … I wonder if he has heart issues. Not sure where that thought came from. Yesterday, my intuition was telling me I should make an appointment this week with the vet, but then after dinner he suddenly was struggling to breathe. We rushed him out to the Emergency Vet and ultimately we ended up saying good-bye to him last night. There were three possible causes - asthma, pneumonia, or heart disease. I am pretty convinced it was his heart. He was facing days in the hospital, thousands of dollars in diagnostic tests, and an uncertain future. I couldn’t face putting him through all of that, let alone facing the bill. At first I felt so guilty, but the vet kept stressing that no matter what we did, he needed to be hospitalized and I knew that was not the right thing for him.
So I gave him what comfort I could as he slipped away. From his perspective, he was with his person and went to sleep. No more pain, no more suffering. Lots of love. But damn. It is so hard.
Hugs to you and Calvin. The guilt is inevitable, but don’t let it take hold. Sounds like maybe you should let him go sooner rather than later. The vet who came to our house almost two years ago to assist our cat Albert in his passing said he prefers to let them go on a good day. That has stuck with me. Didn’t happen for my boy last night, but at least it was fast.
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Sorry to hear that @Julianne_fki 
Hugs 
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I’m so sorry.
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I’m so sorry Julianne. We had to make that same decision for our 18 year old cat, Chloe. My daughter is a vet and she’s repeated to me the same thing I’ve quoted from your vet.
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So sorry to hear about your cat. That must have been so difficult to make those decisions and be there with him through it. Hugs. 
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Sending so many hugs to you @Julianne_fki
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I’m so sorry you had to say good-bye to your boy. I’m sure you made the right decision, but I also know you wish you didn’t have to.
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Has anyone seen the recent Saks on Amazon ads? This makes me think of @profgrumpy
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Thanks everyone! And sorry, @profgrumpy for hijacking your thread.
Thankfully, work is a sh*tshow so I haven’t really had time to dwell on things.
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So sorry. 
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