When to let go with Osteoarthritis

Question
Dear Ken, We have a 6 1/2 yr old Harlequin that has arthritis.  I along with our vet have been watching it/helping it over the past yr and a half.  It has gotten to the point where her front legs are bowed and the ankles are overextended because she is now using her front legs to overcompensate for the pain in the back legs.  She flinches if you touch her and has really started to lie around a great deal more.  Very hard for her to get in the car, doesn't like stairs (slid down on the carpeted ones the other day), doesn't always come and greet us at the door anymore.  She has gone through fazes where she will hold up a back paw for a bit when it must be really painful.  We have her at a good weight, have given her glucosamine, etc. and now is on Deramaxx for pain.  I feel that we are now being selfish and I'm struggling with how to determine her quality of life.  The vet today was hinting that she would be better off if we let her go but I don't think my hubby wants to face that.  She would leave behind a 3 yr old Westie, 4 indoor cats, a 9 yr old girl and an 11 yr old boy that love her very much.  I really want to do what is best for her.  Any comments are appreciated.  Thank you so much.
Caroline

Answer
From what you say it's time to do your duty and give her back some of the love she has given you.  Let her go with dignity and spare her anymore pain.  It takes guts to do it but she will not feel anything except a relief from distress.

Give her a kiss from me and all my best friends.

Ken