I didn't mean to make you cry, i just know how hard the decision is. Sending you lots of love!
I'm so sorry this part and time of Jelly's life is here. I had a similar situation with my beloved Ace. He was 12. He too was having the same health issues that Jelly is having, potting, heavy panting and not the type of panting because they've been out playing or it's hot (a health related panting). Ace's littler mate brother (Orion) had passed year before and he was never the same after that. I'm of a belief that one of the greatest and most unselfish things we can do for our pets is to know when the time is here. It's one of the most gut wrenching decisions one can make, to send our babies to Rainbow Bridge. But we do so with love and knowing it was the best for them. I don't believe in letting a pet suffer longer than they should for our own hearts. They love and love us and that's my love I can give them to back, making that decision. For Ace, I knew. Not only was it his health, he also had Cushions Disease and his personality had changed. Sure he was still Momma's baby, but he was not himself anymore. And I saw it in his eyes. Their eyes will tell it's time too. That December I made Ace's appointment to go to sleep in my arms in our home. I had a full week to spend with him before that sad sad day. Did I question my decision, yes and no. Yes because she would smile at me but no because I knew he was suffering. While that week was the incredibly hard for me, I was able to spend some solid quality time with him until the end. I was content when he passed. I will say that when that moment happened (the first shot that relaxes them), I had never known how much tension he had had in his poor body. He completely released the tension and I felt so relieved for him.
If you know within your heart that it is time, then it is time. It's the hardest thing like I said that we can do, but it's the most loving thing we can do for our babies too. My heart goes out to you.
My heart goes out to you. This is one of the most difficult decision to make and it's a painful one.
(I keep looking for a "like" button). 
Jelly is 11 & 1/2, she has arthritis and is at that point where we need to start thinking about whether or not we need to have her put to sleep.
She has trouble getting up and down the stairs and even moving around in general, she sleeps most of the time, and pants a lot.
Her panting wakes me up during the night sometimes a couple times during the night. She has started peeing in the house, something she has NEVER done.
I had her at the vet on Thursday and he thought we should think about putting her to sleep, but said he would support whatever my decision was.
We live in Florida in a flood zone so the main living level of the house is upstairs, which means she has to go up and down the stairs to go potty.
I have a back deck (second floor) and I'm wondering if I could train her to go on some kind of pee pee pad on that deck. It's a screened in deck so it's not something I could hose off.
In my head I know it's probably time, but my heart is breaking. She's been on all the arthritis meds, and pain meds (RX) and even glucosamine chondroitin MSM with vit. D, and low dose baby aspirin and has gotten progressively worse. This is the third year she's been on meds.
For the most part I agree she doesn't have much quality of life, but when my kids come over with their kids she is so happy to see everyone and even plays with them a little, nothing like she used to, but enough to make me feel like she isn't ready.
Does anyone have any ideas of how I can get her to go potty on the back deck, and what to use so I can pick it up and throw it away. I love her so much and can't bear the thought of taking her to end her life.
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How beautifully put,as i wipe tears and think of the rainbow bridge. Sure hope it helps paws and hands held in prayerFirst of all, I'm so very sorry to hear about your baby Jelly. My heart just breaks for you
You ask how can somebody put down a pet that they love? And my answer to you is that you do this because you LOVE them, and you LOVE them enough to let them go so that they will not suffer any longer. It is the most unselfish act that any loving pet owner can do for their babies. Of course it hurts… it hurts VERY much, but deep down you know that you have done the right thing. And personally for me I know that someday I will be reunited w/all my babies, and that is the one thing that carries me forward.
I hope that this brings you some peace of mind regarding your decision… and we are always here for you every step of the way. Many people here have dealt w/this, and it helps to know that others have gone thru the same situation. Sending you and your family hugs & prayers at this difficult time.
