My dog is being put to sleep.

[karenmeal 0]

You know what, I've been crying for four hours now.

Please hijack another thread.

"Life is a temporary victory over the causes which induce death." - Sylvester Graham

[cocheese 0]

It's going to be OK. Rainbow bridge.

[karenmeal 0]

I hate losing dogs!!!

And my boyfriends dog, that has pretty much been my dog too for about 5 years now probably has cancer.

Today has been a crap day.

"Life is a temporary victory over the causes which induce death." - Sylvester Graham

[cocheese 0]

I feel your pain. I'm so sorry. Think good thoughts.

[cloudseeker2001 0]

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It's not a simple behavioral problem.

He has been to obedience training classes a number of times, my parents have worked very hard with him. Their next door neighbor is a very experienced and respected vet who they are and have been consulting with.

The fact that he has also bit my mom, the person he trusts the most is a really bad sign. He can't even be trusted around her! How could he be trusted around strangers or any kids?

Then they are doing it wrong. Dogs can almost always be helped, it's a matter of doing it right.

What a shame.

I cannot agree with you. Some dogs, like people and all animals, can go insane at times and not be in control of their facilities. They will revert into old brain thinking, after all, it is first nature.

It is the responsibility of the people who are Top Dog of the pack to make major decisions such as this one.

"Some call it heavenly in it's brilliance,
others mean and rueful of the western dream"

[Shell666 0]

Karen, I'm so sorry about this and about Jeff's dog too.

Tough decision to make but IMO, the best one for everyone involved.

You'll get through it.

Hugs to you both.

'Shell

'Shell

[Samurai136 0]

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I just found out from my parents in Virginia that our family dog, Bandit is being put to sleep tomorrow. I picked him and his sister out when they were 8 week old puppies in the local humane society after my childhood dog had been put to sleep due to cancer. Now they are both 8 years old.

Bandit is being put to sleep due to his behavioral issues. He is a really sweet, loving dog, but unfortunately, he is skiddish and when he gets nervous he lashses out and can bite. He gives little warning, so the bites are usually a big surprise, with little to attribute it to. He has never hurt anyone badly, but we now realize that it would probably only be a matter of time until that happened.

When I was home over Christmas he bit at me and barely grazed my arm when I was sitting on the floor and gently petting him. Today, he bit someone else who he knows who was trying to pet him.

My parents took him to the vet and said their good byes. He will be put to sleep in the morning.

I don't even live with them anymore, but this is tearing me up. I feel like this is probably the best thing to do considering the fact that there are children all around my parents house that could get hurt by him. But knowing it is the right thing to do doesn't stop the fact that this just sucks. It is hard to put down an animal.

Anyways.. I guess I just needed to vent about it.

Yeah.

people watch TV and then they're all the Dog Whisperer.

Rent a Clue, people.

Listen to some Regina Spektor, Fiona Apple and think about the good days with yer 'lil pup.



Blue Skies!

"Buttons aren't toys." - Trillian
Ken

[Icon134 0]

That sucks...

Livin' on the Edge... sleeping with my rigger's wife...

[mailin 0]

I'm so sorry you are hurting

Normally I stay away from threads about people putting down animals for reasons other than medical, but I felt the need to reply.

My fathers very best friend (for 35 years now ) had a dog (don't remember the breed) for 7 years - hand fed/raised him and everything. He had some sensory problems (as a result of a traumatic birth??) that resulted in him kinda 'going nuts' when he was over stimulated by play or excitement.

But they managed to avoid situations that would make him 'go nuts'. Until their 2 year old grandson was over and the dog 'went nuts', bit him in neck, puncturing a major artery which ended with the little boy becoming mentally handicapped.

They have never lived down that they are responisble for their grandsons handicap and it was a situation that they had full control over - they knew the dog had a tendency to 'go nuts' and didn't do anything.

I am glad, despite the grim ending, that you family is opting to protect themselves/others.

Its not always easy for people outside of your situation to really empathize.

And for those of you saying - if a reality TV show can do it.. blah blah (I mean really people ), the animals are hand picked ahead of time and judged on 'reahbilitativeness' before they are included - wouldn't want an animal that couldn't be rehabed on that show, that wouldn't look good for ratings, now would it?


Jen

Arianna Frances

[karenmeal 0]

Thank-you for replying.

It is not fear of a lawsuit that we are choosing this, it is fear of something horrible happening to someone, especially a child. That is not guilt that we could live with.

I wouldn't be surprised if Bandit had sensory problems. We know that he has severe allergies and had to be on a special diet, he reacts violently to getting his toenails clipped, he once clawed a muzzle off of his face and ended up bleeding badly all over the house due to scratching himself, he gets really freaked out when his ears are touched... the list just goes on and on.

I feel bad for his sister Cassie too. She is his litter mate and they have always kept each other happy and occupied. They still play wrestle with each other and sleep in the same bed at night. It's sad thinking of how much her life will change without him there.

"Life is a temporary victory over the causes which induce death." - Sylvester Graham

[Lindsey 0]

Karen~

I really feel for you and your family. And I think that you're ABSOLUTELY doing the right thing. The pet's life is valuable to you....not to him. He won't know he's gone. You will. It's you who will suffer from his passing across the rainbow bridge. People who think that all dogs are so "trainable" only pretend to know what they're talking about. You're a lot better off saying your good-byes now than wishing, after he has harmed someone, that you had said good-bye sooner.

Peace to Bandit~
linz

--
A conservative is just a liberal who's been mugged. A liberal is just a conservative who's been to jail

[Muenkel 0]

Hey Karen,

As you know, I definitely know what you are going through. My thoughts are with you and I am sure you and your parents are smart enough to have made the correct decision. This does not mean it does not hurt like hell.

When something like this comes up, you will get all sorts of opinions from people who do not know the true situation you are dealing with. It is the nature of the internet.

My sister in law still gets weepy for the loss of her dog, but she tells me that the moment she sees her son's face; she knows she did the right thing. Fortunately, Ethan is doing very well; but he came very close to death. Could you imagine losing your 8 month old child due to an action of a pet? Animals are unpredictable and we all take somewhat of a risk with them. In most cases the risk is negligible. In your case it sounds like the risk is not so negligible.

Hang in there, OK?

Chris

_________________________________________
Chris

[ACMESkydiver 0]

Sorry to hear it...

Perhaps the cancer spread to the dog's brain. If it can happen in humans, I can't see why it wouldn't happen in an animal as well. Maybe that's what is causing these unprovoked attacks.

Personally, I think I would feel better if it was my dog knowing that it was an illness that was causing him to hurt. (I know it makes me feel better with relatives that hurt. Knowing that an illness is the root of it and not intentionally trying to hurt those they care about).

I'm sorry I don't know if any of that made sense or helped at all, but I sure hope it did in some small way.

Take care, Karen.

~Jaye
Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action.

[willard 0]

I know what you are going through, having had to put down two dogs of mine that became very unpredictable.
As long as you have tried to find a solution to the problem then you are doing the right thing both for your family and your dog.I know it's not an easy thing to do, but you will know that it's the right thing.
The sister dog will have an adjustment period to go through. She may be fine for a couple days and then not eat for a couple. It's sad, but they do go through a grieving period much like we do. She will need a little extra attention during this time, as well as time alone. She'll let your family know what she wants.
Hang in there, you'll get through this.

[snowslider 0]

Karen, I think you and your family have made the right choice, I am a dog lover just as much as the next guy but sometimes you can fix everything. Keep your head up and know that your dog is in a better place now.

[usedtajump 1]

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I hate losing dogs!!!

And my boyfriends dog, that has pretty much been my dog too for about 5 years now probably has cancer.

Today has been a crap day.

Wow, sorry you're having to deal with these tough issues at the same time. Pets can bring such joy into our lives, its really rough when something like this happens to them but sometimes there's just nothing else to do. We had to put our two 16 year old Cocker Spaniels down within six months of each other because they just got to old and infirm. Don't care if it was the most humane thing, it was a prertty horrible thing to have to do. Hang in there Karenmeal.

The older I get the less I care who I piss off.