Ugh....The family dog had to be put down last night.

[Redlinerobert]

My dad's dog, a German Short Hair had to be put down last night.  Dadand mom had to leave to their 2nd home in Los Angeles before it was done.  He just couldn't bare to see it.

I feel bad for him.   

[Fishing Rhino]

My condolences.  We had to put down one of our dogs on Aug 5th.  We stayed with her 'til she was gone. 

It's the first time we've held one of our dogs when they had to be put to sleep.  It wasn't as difficult as I expected.  In fact, it actually made it easier.

It has haunted me that I did not stay with our prior Boxer when he had to be euthanized. 

In the future, should we need to euthanize a pet, we will be with them to say goodbye.

Please do not take this to be a criticism.  I understand the very difficult emotions involved.

The most important thing is how they were treated in life.

[SoFlaBassAddict]

Sorry to hear that, Robert.  I'm dreading having to do put mine down before too long.  She's really starting to show her age now.  I'm not sure what I'm going to tell my daughters when the time comes.

[Redlinerobert]

Not taken as criticism at all.  Everyone deals with death differently, I just feel bad for my dad as I know that dog was always by his side when it came time to feed his livestock.

I couldn't be there either to be honest.  It pained me to see her the last couple times I went to visit my folks.   

[B-Dozer]

Sorry to hear the bad news. One of the hardest things to deal with, because we are responsible for their life. I hope your memories are filled with the happy times.

[Grey Wolf]

Sorry for the loss .

[shootermcbob]

I feel for you and your Mom and Dad. I have had to put down a little dog after 18 years... I understand how much it hurts.

[Glenn]

Sorry to hear that.  A pet is a family member, so the pain in losing them is real.  My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family during this difficult time.

In case you or your folks haven't seen this yet, please take a moment to read it.  It helped me in the past, so I'm passing it forward to you:

http://www.petloss.com/rainbowbridge.htm

Glenn

[bocabasser]

sorry to hear of your dads loss robert. i put my jack russel down this summer and i was crushed. i handled it ok, but my son was devastated. he slept with a picture for a week. i miss that dog greatly. all dogs go to heaven.

[nick76]

I am sorry to hear of their loss.  I did not think it would affect me much when our dog (the dog we got for the kids about 6 years ago) gets to that point......but last week she came down with a respiratory infection and was vomiting.  I slept next to her on the floor for 2 nights while she recuperated.  My wife thought I had lost my mind.  I guess I am kind of attached to the old girl.  Kind of funny we got her for the kids and now she is definitely my dog.

[Red]

Sorry for the loss, I know the feeling.  My dog growing up had to be put down a coupe years ago, I could not be there.  My folks couldn't stay with him, however some of their close friends were willing to stay with him till the end, so he was not alone.  The last time I saw him, I knew it would be the last time.  Before we left the house to go to the airport to fly home, I layed on the floor with him for a long time.  He was a good dog.  His name was Bilbo.

Cliff

[Alpster]

Sorry for your dad Robert. I had to put down a best friend (border collie) back in 1984, after he was hit by a car. I cried for 3 days. :'(

Ronnie

[Shane J]

Aw, man, sorry to hear that, Robert. My condolences to you and your folks.

[SirSnookalot]

Sorry to hear for the loss of a family member.  It's been a while since we put down our Golden Retriever but I think about him daily, he was my best bud.  I haven't been able to even consider getting another.

[Redlinerobert]

Sorry to hear for the loss of a family member. It's been a while since we put down our Golden Retriever but I think about him daily, he was my best bud. I haven't been able to even consider getting another.

That's what I've been contemplating.  Get my dad another dog or no?

[Sam]

I hate when this happens.

So sorry. Condolences to you and the family.

Dogs are a big part of a family and when we lose one it is a very traumatic event.

I had to put my dog down back in 1988 and I had her cremated and still have the ashes in a jar in my fishing room.

Cricket will be with me for a long time.

Hope your parents get a new puppy, soon. :'(

[Fishing Rhino]

Get him another dog or no?

Hard to say.  When we lost our first Boxer, we got another a couple of months later, and he was a blessing.  A year later we got him a companion, the one we had to put down in August.

We've always had dogs, and probably always will.  But when Indy's time is up we'll probably take a year or two before getting another.

Now that we are both retired, there are some things we want to do, travelling among them.  If we were still working, I have no doubt we'd get another as soon as possible.

We are used to having them around the house, and in our daily routine.  The house would seem lifeless without a dog. 

If your dad will be tending his livestock for a while, I'd say it's a yes.  While we can never replace a friend, another can help to fill that void.

My father-in-law was a dairy farmer, and he always had a dog traipsing along with him on his chores, be it around the barn or in the fields. 

You know your dad.  Go with what your heart tells you.

[B-Dozer]

I have had Boxer's all my life. I had to put down my best friend in 2006 after a long battle with bone cancer. He was almost 12 at the time. I thought I would never want to have another as so many of mine have had too short of lives. I was helping out at AC at the time, and an abused 1 year old came in, and I didn't want to look at him. How could he compare to my Zeus? He won my heart over and I adopted him (along with my other adoted friends). He's now my best friend. I take both my adopted pals in my kayak fishing, the best part of my life. Adopt a dog from a shelter or AC. The perfect dog for you is just waiting. You will not regret it.

[Lund Explorer]

Sorry to hear the bad news Robert.

Like all dog people, I can understand what you and your folks are going through.  It's hard to fill the void that a dog's simple love puts into our life. 

As far as getting another dog goes, I can't think of any way to say it better than Rhino did.  While none of us can really be sure what our dogs think about all of this human interaction, I'll just add a little prayer that you and your folks know that I think they all feel the love we returned to them.  In the long run, it is that simple love that is what matters.

[BASSclary]

When my dad had to put the first dog in my life, Priscilla, down, I nearly cried for a week. I was devastated. That dog had been in the family since before I was born.

[A-Jay]

Robert,

From our dog loving family to yours, our deepest condolences.

The loving memory of such a great companion will be cherished and kept close to your hearts.

There have been some very wise words passed here in this post and in others regarding introducing a new puppy now.

It's right for some and not for others.

A puppy is commitment, energy and a different kind of love from what your dear departed dog provided. Some believe that a new puppy might be seen as a way to help ease the pain or even forget about the recent passed, but others perceive it as a celebration and a new beginning.

A-Jay

[grimlin]

Sorry to hear. If i ever lose our Dog,I already told my wife I'm bringing home a New dog either the same day or the very next day. I can't cope without a dog,specially not here. I like and agree with people suggesting another dog,but only you would know if he's ready for one.

[frogtog]

Sorry to hear that Robert, I can relate to what they are going thru. I had to put one down last month. And if that won't bad enough I saved a stray five years ago on December the 8th and she up and died Tuesday on December the 8th. She was acting funny last Sunday and I watched her Monday and told the wife i was going to carry her to the vet Tuesday only to find her dead that morning. She was a good dog and she kelp everything in check outside the house. She will be missed. :'(

[skunked_again]

ya, thats not easy. losing the last dog i had is why i dont have a dog now. it just kills me....

[TopDog]

Sorry to hear for the loss of a family member. It's been a while since we put down our Golden Retriever but I think about him daily, he was my best bud. I haven't been able to even consider getting another.

That's what I've been contemplating. Get my dad another dog or no?

yes, right away!

The new found puppy energy will revitalize even your dad.

The pain eases allot when you have to be responsible for a new one.