[Pseudoscience-is-malarkey (OP)]

My 15-year-old Lhasa Apso Charlie is out of ammunition... his latest seizer had made his left hind foot paralyzed and cannot easily defecate. It all started three years ago when he lost his hearing, and for the past months, he started to become picky about what he ate (very strange for a dog) and now won't eat anything. The seizures he has been having the past two months would paralyze him, only for him to regain his faculties within 2-3 minutes. I just don't want to pay a sh1t load of money for something I can do myself. I'm not entertaining the idea of doing what our grandfathers did (taking them into woods and shooting him) but by crunching up a lethal dose of PM pain relief (acetaminophen and diphenhydramine) to send him peacefully into eternal sleep. The veterinary hospital at my alma mater is the only clinic open on a Sunday and will charge half a g-note for the evaluation and execution. If I wait until tomorrow, our local clinic will charge about 200.
What comes to my mind in this situation is the awareness that these things can go completely sour. Sometimes when inmates are executed they are in extreme pain for the last seconds or minutes of their life despite the powerful sedatives and top-notch painkillers they ingest. I would never forgive myself if that happened. Charlie is three years older than his breed's average life expectancy.

[paul cotter]

Definitely not a good idea. You have no guarantee that what you are suggesting would ease the animals suffering. However I have to admit that I euthanased a terminally ill cat who was due to go to the vets next day for euthanasia because I simply could not watch him suffer any more- I used a tissue soaked in chloroform and he expired in about 2mins. This is only practical if the animal is already immobile. The idea of feeding acetaminophen/diphenhydramine to an animal is a really bad idea, an inhaled anaesthetic is the only practical home method. Late addition: diphenhydramine is sedating at low doses, at high doses it acts as a deliriant and convulsant

[Zer0]

What comes to my mind in this situation is the Awareness that these things can go Completely Sour.

Sometimes when inmates are executed they are in extreme pain for the last seconds or minutes of their life despite the powerful sedatives and top-notch painkillers they ingest.

I would never forgive myself if that happened.

[alancalverd]

A trip to the vet can be stressful if the last visit was painful - you are dealing with a superior intelligence with a profound memory for people, places, sounds and smells. If you have the means and care enough, shooting in the woods is quick, clean and humane because the dog's last journey is one that always made him happy in the past, especially for a gun dog.

Why don't we allow humans the dignity and humanity that the law requires we show to a suffering animal of any other species?

[Bored chemist]

I agree that a good clear shot is at least as humane as any other way to go. (And possibly one of the few valid reasons to have a gun.)
But it would be deeply traumatic for the owner, even if they know it's for the best.
So... maybe get someone else to help.
At that stage, you might be as well off just paying the vet.

[paul cotter]

Indeed, BC, the vet is the way to go. If the animal in question means that much the cost of the vet should not matter. What I did was not to save money but to terminate an acute exacerbation of distress.

[Pseudoscience-is-malarkey (OP)]

Well, Charlie passed away at the vet today at 10:36 AM Eastern time. They injected propofol (aka the Michael Jackson drug) and then that blue sh1t that stopped his heart. It was very peaceful.
I had no choice as he was in pain, and his heart was so weak he could not eliminate, nor eat or drink. I inherited him nine years ago after my Dad's sudden death on Father's Day. Today is the day after Father's Day (which is my father's official date of death as that was when he was found). My dog also died on the tenth anniversary of one of the great actors (James Gandolfini) and great author (Vince Flynn) which is cool for me in a weird way.
I didn't want him at first as I was a cat person and hated his obsession with food and walks (I jog). The very word "walk" would cause him to tip his head so much that he would almost fall over.

[Eternal Student]

Hi.

    I, and I'm sure everyone, offer their sympathies.

[paul cotter]

I'm glad you went the vet route. I'll also echo what ES said, pets become part of the family and losing them can be traumatic.

[Kryptid]

I had to put one of my cats to sleep a couple of years ago. I know it hurts a lot. I wish you the best and pray for your comfort in dealing with this all.

[vhfpmr]

Why don't we allow humans the dignity and humanity that the law requires we show to a suffering animal of any other species?

Because the unwanted will get put under pressure to 'do the right thing'.

[Zer0]

Sorry for your Loss.
Please Tc!