I am ver sorry for the loss of your dear friend; it is never easy to say goodbye. I feel your pain. I have been in the breeding, racing, & showing game with TB's an QH's for over 30 yrs. With a TB homebred racehorse being my first Stake Winner and Q'H's bred by me or sired by my QH Stallion (now 30 yrs old, being Congress and World winners. Over the years I have had to put down more horses (that were raised as pets to us) than I ever
wanted to even think was possible....my expert trail riding QH mare @ 32, My DD 1st horse, at 29 yrs. ( they learned together) & successfully competed and won in Eventing Trials; and I still grieve for after 4 yrs. I didn't have to make that decision for my TB Stallion, he suffered an Aortic aneurism at the age of 18. I keep wondering (everyday) who of the old girls ( 18, 20, 26, & 28) will be the next one that I have to make that decision on; or will it be the QH stallion. They seem to give up during the Winter months & that's when I have to decide.
My prayers go with you & I firmly believe that we will be joined by the animals that we cared so much for when our time comes.