the slow-decline death

[http://dummy.us.eu.org/robert (Robert)]

Yeah, it's hard to say whether a slow decline and fade-away is better than
just "ripping off the band-aid".  I mean, if Gary had been hit by a car or
eaten by raccoon, it would've been just as fast -- it's shocking and
disturbing and sad all at once.  Unlike our last cat, which was a long
decline, trying to keep her going.

Or, like @Noelle's dad, which has been a long, long fade-away.  In a lot
of ways, at least to me, the very long fade is easier to take.  But, we
didn't live with him every day (Gail, @Noelle's step-mother, did).  Not
sure.