It was almost easier with my two previous dogs because they went without my decision. My old boy dog had continuous seizures that could not be reversed, my old girl dog died of heart failure on my lap while we were camping, at night sitting by the camp fire. I think being at the mountain elevation was too much for her old heart. My husband, son, who was was almost 8 years old, and I consoled ourselves with the idea this happened in a setting of the most ancient relationship between humans and canines, at the campfire.
The other evening I was at a gas station and saw a little heeler mix sitting on the console of an SUV. I told the woman that I liked her dog, and she rolled down the window more and said, "This one is my grandchild I babysit on Sundays. She's shy", and just as she said, "Mine are in the back", I heard a bass, "WOOF!" She had dark windows so I couldn't see the dogs, and since there was no one behind us she got out and opened the back window and two big hound-shepherd mix dogs, a brother and sister, stuck their heads out. They were calm and friendly, and I patted them while their "mom" and I talked about them, and other dogs, for a couple of minutes.
I need at least a small daily dog fix!