When do we call it quits

Question
Hello Dawn:
We have a wonderful just turned 13 year old male. He walks of course slow and short distances and needs help to climb 1 or 2 steps. When he gets up, he hops until his back legs can work at all, he falls when he looses balance, but not that often. He has a hard time laying down as he can't circle effectively.

What do you use as a guide for determining the end?

Thanks,
Marc

Answer
Hi Marc,  I am sorry to hear about your dog.  The general criteria is different for every person and situation, but the norm is pretty much when the quality of life is gone and basically they are just exsisting.  The way I look at it with my own dogs is by each individual dog.  For example I had a very intelligent dog whom had worked by my side for 14 years in search & rescue, guard work, demo dog for my classes and various other things.  His mind was so sharp that when he got so old that he started to lose control of his bowels to where he couldn't get outside fast enough I knew it mentally was tearing him up.  He had been such a clean dog, in fact he'd do anything to get outside and not have an accident in the house, so I knew this was mentally torture for him and it was time to put him out of his misery.  
So basically it comes down to what is his quality of life?    It's a hard decision, but if you look at it in that respect, it might help a little in your decision.  Hope this helps and remember, 13 years is a good long life.

Dawn