Mobile vet service. In a large metro area there are vets that specialize in euthanasia. I’ve used those services, and was very happy that it was not stressful for the animals. They die at home, in your lap, it’s painless and the vet takes the carcass away for cremation.

IMO, it’s great that the last moments of your pet’s life are easy, and with you there to comfort them. I highly recommend using this service.

Lap of Love. kind of in-home service you're looking for. you can search on their website for a service in your area.

https://www.lapoflove.com/

best of luck bro

There should be an organization in your area that will come to the home and euthanize your beloved pet. Even if you live rurally. It’s not cheap, but well worth it. The guy I’ve used in the past will pray over your pet, speak calmly and let you know all along the way what is happening. He literally will put the dog to sleep first (my last dog was snoring), before injecting the drug to stop the heart. I’ve used him 3 times. Each time it was seemingly peaceful for the animal. Afterwards, with the grave already dug, we wrap the dog in burlap and place him in his truly forever home while still warm. God bless your gf’s dog. He gave her a good life, now give him the send off he deserves. Good luck.

I think you need to search yourself on the "miserable" part of the dog's life. Just a check to make sure that you aren't imposing your own views on how the dog sees it. I'm 100% for taking a sick animal that is in pain, and confused, and is actually miserable, and releasing them from that. It's not a natural state for them -- any animal in that position would have been taken by a predator before they got that bad. (It's why I hate the people that keep an old, old sheep or cow alive, when they are arthritic and in constant pain. There was one sheep a woman was keeping alive when it couldn't even stand up, just hobble on its knees unnaturally. A predator would have gotten those prey animals years ago.) Don't put down a dog who's just old and tired. If the dog wants to sleep all day and have a few minutes of petting in the evening before going back to sleep, that's fine. It's doggy retirement. If the dog is ailing and in pain, it's not fair or just to make the dog suffer through that. Aside from that, home euthanasia by a professional if at all feasible. (also, for the sensitive gf, this might be the discussion you need for her to do the right thing if the dog is in pain.)

In my experience almost all animals that "need" to be put down, don't.

They will die when it is time for them to die, all on their own. We can medicate them and feed them people food and let them sleep on the couch and live their best life till the end.

There are exceptions to this of course and I do not know your situation but I urge you to let nature take it's course unless the animal is suffering and you cannot manage their pain.

In the past when I have had to put down an animal it was one shot to the head. Dig the hole first, it's real hard to dig a hole while blubbering over the dog you just had to euthanize. Small caliber round, like a .22 is all it takes and it is instant.

My condolences, I hate losing an animal, they are really part of the family.

I've always put my animals down myself with a 22lr. The last time it needed to happen was with my Wifes favorite dog, she wouldn't let me do it and insisted that we have a Mobile Vet service do it because that would be more "Humane". By the time she was able to make the call and this team of "professionals" showed up to put him to sleep, his circulation was so poor they couldn't find a vein to kill him with. (Repeatedly trying) So, then they switch over to the Heart needle about 4" long. Finally after the 3rd stab in the chest they hit his heart and killed him. Seeing him cry and holding him down was the hardest put down I've ever had to deal with in my life. Never again. NONE of the animals I've put down ever knew what happened and they were not thinking Dads up to something. They were being petted and talked to in their favorite part of the yard. It's not an easy thing to do, especially when you've loved this furry part of your family for so long but I hope you can live with whatever decision you make because you won't ever forget.

It very difficult to kill an animal. Especially one who was a pet. Take him to the vet and let them do it peacefully. You know it time and it is right.

@Seymour offered the advice I was going to give

one to the head when not looking is always the best. make them comfortable and when your ready help them with a fast death which is all we ask for our selves

Find a vet that will come to the house and euthanize the dog while you hold him. I had a cat that inexplicably went blind and deaf but she was still part of the family and seemed to still enjoy being alive. She died about a year ago at home.

If my animals are outwardly suffering, i.e., my much loved cat had oral cancer that literally pulled his jaw apart- I will euthanize them as I hold them and they die with me holding them (singing to them and crying like a baby).

OTOH, if they are aging and start the dying process I "hospice" them; spend as much time as possible with them at home, make sure they are comfortable and safe; you'll know when they are reaching the end of their life because they will stop eating and drinking.

Sometimes they become restless and move from spot to spot. When they are actively dying I will give my pet a dose of benzodiazepene (mg/kg) to *make them comfortable, not kill them). The benzo reduces the agonal breathing and the neurologic manifestations of the dying process...it's hard but I find euthanasia brutal and cruel.

Nothing compassionate about blowing an animal's brains out. Not only the pain but the mess...let alone the betrayal of an animal that loves you and trusts you.

Go to the vet.