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Put your own dog down?
utbrowningman
Member Posts: 2,774 ✭✭✭
My 13-year old terrier had a tumor on her shoulder which was removed last year. It has come back and is bigger than the first time. Took her down to the farm yesterday to run around and it either split on its own or she caught it on something. There is not a 3/4" cut. Bleeding is non-existent but I don't think this will heal over. She has another small tumor on her backside. She gets around fine but does walk on three occasionally. I know the inevitable is fast approaching. I can't see removing the tumor again as it is within the muscle and has caused problems. The vet wants $85 to out her down. I threw out the possibility of my .22 doing the job. I don't think I can make myself do it and I also can't see me sitting there while the doctor does his job. I'm just a softy, I guess. Damn dust in the air.
Comments
I have no problem doing it, I would rather take the dog for a walk and without the dog seeing the gun sneak a shot in between the ears, no pain and no fear from the dog. Taking a dog to the vet to me is cruel to the dog, poor thing is scared and is put to sleep by a stranger. "The Walk" for a dog is personal and if done properly the dog just goes to sleep without ever knowing something was up.
If you do so do not post on here that you did, there are serious animal lovers on here that will condemn you for it and it has been proven in the past that some reading this forum are not beyond making phone calls, it's happened before.
One I am happy isn't mine at this time.
My pop never had the vet out any of the animals we had on the farm,he always did it himself.
I don't know if I could either..
Sorry for your situation...[V]
Sometimes I feel like I murdered her. But she was Blind, and Deaf, and Life was Painful and Unhappy for Her. We actually waited too long, hoping the Daughter would come Home from the USAF to be there at the end.
But, She had a good Last Day - She Recognized Me and Licked my Hand, Recognized my Wife, and Pawed at her. When the Vet Finally found a vein and administered the Juice, there were a few seconds where Jet Wagged Her Tail Joyously, Something She hadn't done for Months, and then she just Laid Down and Put her Head between her Paws and Went to sleep.
It is a Really Tough Thing to do, but it is Merciful.
If you can't feel the music; it's only pink noise!
You are going to have to do what you feel is best but as the pets "owner" you owe to them to make it as painless as possible.
Good luck, its never easy.
My prayers are with you.
As hard as it is to be present when your dog gets put down, my personal feelings are that I owe my friend at least that much. When we had to put down our 13 year old Aussie "Tess" she went with her head on my lap, it was by far one of the hardest things I've ever had to do but I did it out of respect for the lifetime of loyalty that she gave me.
Either way, I'm sure sorry for the painful decision that you have to make. My prayers are with you both.
When I was in High School we needed to put down our family dog. Back then, early 60's, we couldn't afford to pay a vet to do this, so my mom asked me to do it. A single 22LR to the brain was quick and I have to assume painless. Not an easy task, but it had to be done. Nowadays, I would have taken him to a vet and held him while he faded away!
Held my dobie on our last trip to the vet.
No viable 'do it yourself' option at hand.
And I'm not sure I wouldn't have flinched.
I think the vet route is preferable. I'm guessing the fee includes taking care of everything afterwards?
Little guy goes to sleep with his best friend right beside him stroking his head. I don't think I could live with myself had I not been there until the very end.
Brad Steele
quote:Originally posted by Don McManus
I've taken a few to the vet over the years, and I know it is the best way for me.
Little guy goes to sleep with his best friend right beside him stroking his head. I don't think I could live with myself had I not been there until the very end.
Good luck with your dog.
I've done it to the family dog after he got hit real bad by a car. Nobody witnessed it and I couldn't afford the vet bill to have it done. I will live with it forever but he's not suffering anymore.
You probably did him a favor by taking care of it relatively quickly and not waiting to take him to the vet.
Brad Steele
If it was a sickness that was diagnosed as terminal or untreatable, I would let the vet do it.
I cried like a baby and shook for hours after, I vowed I would never do anything like that again if I had other options.
Again,it is a rough thing to have to do.
I thought a 9 was much but I didn't trust a .22LR was enough and I didn't have anything in the middle at the time.
If you do decide to take the matter into your own hands,KNOW that I and I believe most others her,would NEVER hold in any against you in any way...
Again,it is a rough thing to have to do.
Amen to that!
First off, people are funny when it comes to this. Some animals are perfectly fine to shoot or kill with a bow and arrow but they get all weird when it comes down to killing your own dog. You can shoot a dog for many reasons like harassing livestock or attacking another person but to put down your own dog when it's time is looked at as barbaric animal cruelty and if you put down your own dog you are listed as a potentially homicidal maniac by the animal lovers.
I have no problem doing it, I would rather take the dog for a walk and without the dog seeing the gun sneak a shot in between the ears, no pain and no fear from the dog. Taking a dog to the vet to me is cruel to the dog, poor thing is scared and is put to sleep by a stranger. "The Walk" for a dog is personal and if done properly the dog just goes to sleep without ever knowing something was up.
If you do so do not post on here that you did, there are serious animal lovers on here that will condemn you for it and it has been proven in the past that some reading this forum are not beyond making phone calls, it's happened before.
When my first Spaniel got hit by a car while we were out hunting, we were a long way from anywhere, and he was hurting bad. Only thing I could do. Damned dust in my eyes was terrible for hours, but he needed me. That was the longest drive home from a hunt I ever made, and I didn't pull out a scattergun again for several years.
I have done the trip to the vet and held them while they left me, and I have had the vet come to the house for those who hated to ride in the car.
UT, I know it is hard, but I think you should be there as the vet does it. None of us should be alone at that time, and our bestest furry friends least of all. They are always there for us when we need them, even if they do not understand why. She needs you one last time.
No one is going to think less of you for whatever path you choose. I was crying my eyes out as I left the vet's when I took Reggie a few years back. I don't know who saw me, and I don't care.
I still miss him.
In my younger days I could. I guess I'm getting softer with age the vet does it now.
If it needs doing and you can stand it, I won't hold it against you. For me it would be a last resort.
Yep....
We had a black lab that went into kidney failure shortly after my divorce. Vet suggested doggie dialysis. I asked the doc how much longer would it extend her life, he said a matter of months, a month without.
We went with the really good month, and being with her when it wasn't so good anymore.
In my younger days I could. I guess I'm getting softer with age the vet does it now.
I think it is just natural progression.
I have put down three beloved companions. Each one was harder to do.
I don't think I have it in me to do it again, unless it is an emergency.
I always did it back in the woods at the farm away from everyone. I would leave the animal & get the tractor out of the shed to dig a DEEP hole for the owners so they wouldn't have to see any thing.