Close Call Tonight

[Floridabassking352]

I couldn't find my dog and I heard my mom go outside and yell. I ran out and found my dog in the pool. He's 12 now and completely blind. It's a miracle he managed to find his way to the steps when he can't see. I can't take it anymore guys. It's incredibly sad and depressing to watch my dog's health deteriorate. All I can think about is what if I didn't find him right away? He could have drowned. I know he's just getting old but it's really starting to wear me down emotionally. I got him as a puppy when I was 7 and basically grew up with him. Now sadly his days are coming to an end.  :'( I almost want to just put him down so I don't have to deal with the pain of watching him struggle anymore (he runs into stuff, can't find me when I leave a room, etc) but he's healthy aside from a heart murmur and being blind. It tore me up to see how terrified he was when I found him; he was trembling. This whole thing really scared the hell out of me. I guess I just have to put it behind me and enjoy the time he has left.

[bassn00b]

hey man i know how you feel. my wife's mom 'n' dad have a rat terrier/italian greyhound mix who is 12. he has really advanced cataracts, arthritis, and is effectively deaf. my wife grew up with the little guy and now he's not long for this world. it bothered us for a while when we thought about it, but you're right - enjoy what time you have him now, don't dwell on the inevitable. everything on this earth is temporary. make of it the best you can. peace.

bassn00b

[Red]

my folks recently had my dog put down that i grew up with.  he was about 15(very very old for a dalmation.)  i was not there when it was done.  i was once told that being there with your dog, while he is being put to sleep is a very very rough thing to do, my folks couldnt do it, and i dont know if i could have, had i been there.  they had a friend who volunteered to be with him for this.  he was the best dog, his name was bilbo.  i took the news pretty well, until i got a little note from my 10 year old neice offering me her condolences and how bilbo was going to be in heaven with my grandpa, man that tore me up bad.  

enjoy the rest of your time together!!

Cliff

[CFFF 1.5]

I just recently had to put down my 13 year old Springer Spaniel that I grew up with since I was about 10 or 11. My Mom, my brother and I all sat in the room with her when they put her down. Wow this was like 6 months ago or more and it is still getting to me. I am glad i was in the room.

[Sam]

Dogs are a part of a family.

It is a sad day when you realize that their life span is ending and that you have to do what is right for the dog and not yourselves.

I had my mixed Irsh setter put down in 1988  and I still have her ashes in a jar in my home office.

She had been having small strokes and one morning we found her in the living room, not able to move.

I was with her when she went to dog heaven at the vet's office.

Sometimes we have to do do things that are not pleasant for the animal's best interest.

My sincere condolenses to all who have to go through this emotional experience.

[guitarkid]

We put the Golden Retriever down that I grew up with down in'04-ish. She was kind of sick and my Mom said she would'nt be long, so I went to the fence and she came caughing up to me and I told my Mom, no tonight. It still tears me up. She was MY dog the best dog I have ever had or known.

                          -tumnus

[brgbassmaster]

the best thing you can do is put him down...were doing that with our 13yr old yellow lab. he can barely walk cant jump up onto the deck anymore and has alot of problems. so my parents are putting  him down at the end of this month. it was the last time i got to see him when i went home for leave.

[avid]

I have had to put down a few good dogs over the years.

It's always a sad time.

If you can, get a new dog or puppy right away.  Your departed friend will never be lost to your heart, but the new dog will find a place it in as well.

[Long Mike]

I have a dog who is 13.  He was hit by a car when He was 3 and had to have his right rear leg re-built.  From that point on I have always called him my thousand dollar dog.  He's just a 65 pound mutt, but I love him dearly, and, as dogs do, he loves me just as much.

Obviously, he's getting on in years and is now almost deaf.  He's on daily pain medication because of the bad leg, and is having more and more difficulty trying to stand up.  If figure he has about a year left  before I have to make the decision to have him put down.  You have no idea how much I dread that day.  Just thinking about it gives me a lump in my throat.

[Tom H.]

Do the dog a favor , even though it's going to be tough , put him down . If he is truely blind your just making his life worse by letting him live through it . I can tell you from expeirence that it's not an easy thing to do , but I've put several dogs down for lesser reasons (bad hips ) than being blind .

You'll get through it regards

[Tokyo Tony]

As long as he's not in constant, serious pain, I don't think you have to put him down. It's probably best to take him to the vet and see what the vet says.

I've had to put down two dogs I grew up with when I was younger. Definitely two of the saddest days of my life. We stayed in the room for one of them and left the room for the other right after the injection - they say you shouldn't stay with larger dogs when they're put down because a lot of times they twitch and convulse when they're dying. This was years ago and it still gets to me. Fortunately I have two awesome, young goldens now  

[Floridabassking352]

The vet said my dog is perfectly healthy, although he is blind, deaf, has a couple of fat tumors, and arthritis in his paw. He still seems to enjoy being around everyone though and likes to play although it's difficult now. I just can't get over the fact that his condition is declining and he doesn't have much time left. This weekend was the worst. I went to the beach with my family and can't get the images out of my head. I saw my mom walk him and since we were at a resort, he had to go down stairs and fumbled down them, and he's so blind that he turns his head all over the place and couldn't even see me when I was sitting right in front of him petting him. All I can think is that this was his first, and last, vacation and it makes me sad. Ever since I saw him in the pool it's made me very emotional and also I'm off at school, so I don't see him but once a month. Just wish I could put it behind me and not think about until the day finally comes.

[bigfruits]

im sorry to say this but a blind and deaf dog should be put to sleep. no matter how happy he seems when you make physical contact with him, its no life for a dog. you need to think about whats best for him and not you and your family. it will be hard as hell but i think it will be the best thing to do.

[jax]

Dogs can live with an incredible amount of pain. Dogs are tough. Tougher than most people realize. A dog can have massive bone structure problems and they will still try and get up and play. That is why they are mans best friend. They never burden you with their problems.

Alot of people use this misconception for selfish reasons. Just because your dog is happy to see you doesn't mean his life is good. It is not fair to let the dog suffer just to ease YOUR pain.

I am a HUGE dog lover so bear with me on this next part. I realize there is a fine line between a dog living with a disability and a dog that needs to be put down.

Dogs that are in pain, blind, deaf etc. are a danger to themselves. At some point they go from being a risk to themselves and start to become a risk to others. Mainly small children. Blind dogs tend to be skittish. In turn they start to snap more when things startle them. They are generally very friendly around their owners but what dog isn't. Get a small child around a hurt dog and you are looking at not only putting the dog down but a potential huge law suit on top of it. Then add into the fact that the child is now emotionally and possible physically scared.

How many times have we heard, "He never hurt anyone before this in his life." All it takes is once.

All that risk for what? So that you can feel good while you debate what the right thing to do is? We humans are emotionally greedy. It is just how we are built. We have to take responsibility at some point. Why risk on tainting the memories you have of your dog.

This was not directed towards anyone. It is just my way of thinking. Yes I am a huge animal lover. I can't stand it when people won't take their pets to the vet. They are part of the family. Shoot, I still feel bad when I have to take a hook out of a fish.

It makes me even madder when people let animals suffer for their own emotional needs.

-Reuben

[Floridabassking352]

I always heard that a dog should only be put down if it is in physical pain, but my dog isn't. He has minor arthritis in one paw and we give him medication for it. I don't know if he should be put down yet, like I said, he still seems to enjoy life and likes to play. But the decision isn't really mine, my parents will most likely make the choice since I live away from home. Does anyone else think it's time to put him down?