Putting a family pet down

[Dean Jarvis]

One of the hardest thing I've ever had to do is put down my dog. GOD spelled backwords.

[PSM]

Originally Posted by Dean Jarvis

One of the hardest thing I've ever had to do is put down my dog. GOD spelled backwords.

I'm on my 4th Akita in about 40 years. The first three I had to have put down. It's damn hard. But is just one or two days out of years of faithful companionship. Not a bad investment. It also underlines the depth of the bond.

Pat

[El Cid]

Originally Posted by Mega160

Thanks for the input fellas .. I will call my brother tonight and talk to him. I didnt know about the house calls, so i will call the local vet and ask. Thats probably why he didnt want to go that route... Ive never seen it done, but i imagined its done on some cold, steel gurney kind of thing at the hospital, and we wanted a chance to pet him up and feed him a nice steak and bananas before lights out.

I had to do this with my Dobe about 4 years ago and my Weim a couple months ago. My vet has a special room (think they call it the comfort room or something), for this procedure. It's designed to look like any living room, complete with a couch, end table, etc. Both times I laid next to the dogs on the floor and held them while they slipped away into the next dimension.

Be forewarned... they don't always close their eyes, and sometimes they will evacuate their bladders after they pass. Still, it's a thousand times more peaceful, safe, and respectful than trying to use a firearm. Dogs are the only source of unconditional love on the planet, they spend every minute trying to please us. The least we can do is be there for them in their last moment and make it as dignified as possible.

[dollarbill]

Originally Posted by Brush Okie

I have done it before and aside from legal issues (I dont know about NC) it just sucks. Take him to a vet. Have the vet do it or if you have to DIY they have a kit you can take home that you give them a shot and they go away.

Good advice. Lilly (English Pointer/American Bulldog) is without a doubt my closest and most loyal friend. I'll hate the day I have to put her down. Rest assured she'll deserve better than a bullet to the head. Do yourself a big favor, contact your vet. You'll rest easier that night.

[WarriorDiplomat]

Like everyone else is saying the Vet is the best way, the animal just peacefully goes to sleep and it is a good memory in comparison to the way I was raised.

My last dog I had to put down was my Sheltie, she was an awesome working dog and a great companion. I was deployed and my wife had told me that she was laying in her own urine and feces we decided that we would send her out peacefully. She had been senile for a few years and just sort of confused generally the last few years. She was only 13 which is young for a well maintained Sheltie. She took her to the Vet and the Vet gave her the shot and she went to sleep peacefully and the Vet cut some of her hair for my wife as a keepsake.

[Habu-MFFI 175]

"Done it both ways, with and without a vet. Last time I took my black lab "Tess" to the vet. She gave her a shot to relax her, that shot set her free, so was so bad off. Then she still gave her the other shot a little later to make sure.

Its hard either way, especially when they have been a part of the family for so long.

Yesterday when I was headed to the store, my copilot was my granddaughter, she said " Papaw, remember when Tess would ride in the back seat with us in the truck?" I told her yes, and that was about a year ago when we put her down.

She is buried on our land that she roamed and guarded for so long.

[Golf1echo]

I sure miss our Rotty, what a beautiful loving breed. They can be very stoic and our love for her clouded my perception, I wanted my daughter to see her one last time. Things went quick, just as the vet was on her way to the house she died in front of both of us...

Don't do that, I count it as one of the worst experiences and mistakes of my life. She is in our hearts and buried in the rich black top soil at the home place up in those Western Mountains...

[BigJimCalhoun]

Several years back our Shih-Tzu broke his back, or something close to it. It was wailing in a way I never heard it yell prior.

I brought it to the 24 hour emergency vet next town over and the procedure took about a second once they injected the shot. They were going to make a plaster of Paris paw print for us, but I never followed-up about it.

[Barbarian]

I had to put my shepherd down a few years ago. I don't know about having the vet do it, but if you put your own pet down, it will be a weight that you carry with you from then on.

Looking back, I don't know that I could trust someone else to do such a personal thing.

[Snaquebite]

Went in her sleep two days ago....It was a great run of almost 14 years. I rescued her almost 14 years ago after being abandoned and on her death bed. She survived heartworm treatment (twice). Nothing but pure unadulterated love and trust. Shady, you will be missed girl.
shady.jpg

[PSM]

Originally Posted by Snaquebite

Went in her sleep two days ago....It was a great run of almost 14 years. I rescued her almost 14 years ago after being abandoned and on her death bed. She survived heartworm treatment (twice). Nothing but pure unadulterated love and trust. Shady, you will be missed girl.
Attachment 28314

Sad to hear, Snaque! She looks like a sweet pup.

Pat