Is it Right to Put Your Dog Down?

Hiya LCB'ers

I have wrote about my bugsy several times throughout the years. He is really up there in age (16) and for the most part lost a good part of his eye sight and has went completely deaf. He acts a bit senile at times and does goofy things that make me stop and think he is really out there.

I can't really pick him up anymore because he has a lot of aches and pains and fear i will hurt him due to arthritis in his legs. I have to confess there has been those moments where i thought i should put him down. But then i see him at other moments run spry through the yard like a young pup and think he still has spunk and end up hating myself for even thinking of doing it for a second.

Ultimately i have come to the conclusion there is no way i could put him down and to be honest i think i knew this all along. It has to be one of the most difficult decisions for any dog owner to make and one of the most painful.

Its quality of life vs living a life of suffering. Although he no longer has the quality of life he once had, i don't really think he is suffering and think that would be the only time to play God and put him out of his misery.

I am curious to get feedback from members and get their thoughts on this or if they have ever had to put the dog to sleep.

Thanks,

Lips

I'm glad to hear that Bugsy is not suffering. I think that's the key when it comes to this topic. I don't really know how I feel about it. Part of being a dog owner is being committed to taking care of them. I'd like to think that making them as comfortable as possible is the best thing to do but sometimes there's nothing that can take the pain away. It's a tricky thing but as long as Buggaboo is content sleeping and doing what he does every day, I say you have made the right choice.

On the flip side, if you put a healthy dog down because you don't have time for it or can't handle it, then don't even talk to me. There are so many shelters and people willing to take on all kinds of dogs.

I've had to make that decision several times in my life, mostly with cats.  But I have 4 dogs now, ranging in age from 3 - 9, so it's coming.....

The defining moment with me has always been when they're in so much pain they can no longer function properly, whether it's eating, drinking, going potty, or even seeing.  One of my cats couldn't even see well any more, she was in so much pain.  She was one of those very "special" pets to me & I cried so much at the vet's office, the vet started crying too.  I cried for weeks over her, and still tear up, 12 yrs later.

You'll know when the time comes.

I'm watching Pit bulls and Parolees right now, and they just rescued a dog who was left to die and couldn't even walk, taking him to a prison where they have a rescue program for pit bulls which helps inmates as well.

The dogs to feel badly about though are the ones left at the kennel, who will be put to sleep.

Your dog is very special and of course you don't want him to suffer but it sounds like you know your answer already.  Some day the day will come and Bugsy will let you know when he needs your help in a different way.  I haven't ever had to have an animal put to sleep and never want to have to make that choice myself.  I hope y'all have many years of good times together still to come.

Thanks for your replies and great input. And if that time should come (and i hope it doesn't) i think i will know. 

Mine lived 16 years and was having problems sitting and lying down, with cracks and pops and the general aches of age; the vet said she wasn't suffering in any way, was just old. Unless we heard her life was unbearable or pain passed into infirmity, we let her be. One day, she simply coughed and passed on peacefully.

This might not make me any friends..but oh well; what I can't stand is people who put their dogs down because they move into different accommodations or feel the dog is a burden or nuisance. To me, getting a dog is a lifteime commitment; at least the dog's lifetime...you made the choice to bring it into the family, and it's your obligation to see it through to the end. We've based our living situations around having our two dogs, and if we had to move, if the place, no matter no perfect couldn't accept them, we'd pass on it. I can't even go overseas even if a fantastic job presented itself, because I wouldn't part with them for the world. My only possible exception, would be the cats, who'd just as happily reside with my mother.

I completely agree with you, Dionysus.  When I see the ads people place for their pets because "they're moving", "they don't have time for them anymore", etc., it just makes me sick inside.  I feel so sorry for those pets who have loved unconditionally - sometimes for many years - and are being discarded for convenience.

I think you definitely have the right thoughts for your dog.  You've put him first and if he isn't suffering in pain and still has his "puppy moments", then all well and good.

When I was around 7 years old, I remember seeing a dog being put down on TV - it was a big Old English Sheepdog and as they did it, they played "all things bright and beautiful".  I cried and cried over this dog for weeks and weeks and have never forgotten it  and being so young, never understood why they did it. 

If I owned a dog, I would have the same approach as you Lips. 

I agree with LhasaLover, I think you will feel when the time is right.

We truly bond to our animal pets.  However, they are still animals and often the must humane thing is to put them to death.  It is difficult...a heart breaker, but humane none the less.

You probably havent read about it much but on the battle field many have had to pull the trigger on their best friends with half their face blown off.....we often worry about homeless pets.....why dont we worry about homeless vets.....go figure..we are in a sad f***ing state america......what the f***!!!

because people are well, people, and for the most part capable and responsible for their own actions. Pets are not; we chose to change their nature by domesticating them; somehow I don't think FiFums the toy poodle would survive out in the Serengeti.
Besides, just because this particular thread is about pets does NOT mean everyone is unsympathetic to every or any other issue out there

bad language removed - not accepted on the forum.

Even though Bugsy's very old, you made a right decision Lips, Hopefully you will have some more time together.

Unless i have lived under a rock somewhere i think i completely comprehend what our men and women have been through on battles fields throughout history. That doesn't mean that compassion starts and ends on one particular issue. What a sad state of affairs America would be if that was the case or any country in the world for that matter.

Compassion is an open end book that extends beyond anybodies personal sorrow or heartache. Staying inside the box with only one agenda of compassion defeats what the meaning of "compassion" is.

I will agree with you on one thing: "we are in a sad f***ing state america......what the f***!!!" IF that is the ONLY compassion that exists.  Thankfully it's not.

I agree with ya lips. The whole caring about animals thing is simple. They can't speak and we can. We're in pain, we say so.

I feel for you, Lips. 

I have put two dogs down.  I couldn't bring myself to go to the vet. My husband and his dad did.  I bawled like a baby as I said goodbye and gave them a kiss. 

My husband said "It looked like they went to sleep".  It was a very hard decision, both times, but I knew it was the right thing to do. 

I'm actually tearing up as I write this and it has been over 10 years.  Dogs are great companions but we are blessed to help them exit this world when the time is right.... humans don't get the luxury.  We are forced to suffer to the end, it that is how we end up.

Lips I'm an RVT (Registered Veterinary Technician) so I get this question asked alot.  It is okay to put your own dog to sleep if they are suffering with health issues.  Think about it.  Do you have any human family members that suffered before they passed away?  Do you wish you could take their pain away and if you had that ability would your human counterpart appreciate it?  I bet they would.

If Bugsy's time comes, you will know it.  He will be miserable, and it will pain you to watch him go through it.  All senior dogs have good and bad days.  It's when the bad days are more than the good ones that humane euthanasia should be a consideration.  I would recommend checking to see if your regular vet does at home euthanasia and if not try to find one that does, just incase.  It's a hard thing to think about but I try to encourage all animal owners to be prepared when the time comes.

16 is old for any dog, so you have been doing something right all these years.  Let me know if you have any more questions, if you want my email I'm more than happy to give it to you.  Good luck.

Oh and to the person who asked why us animal people don't care about the veterans, that is an easy answer.  My dog would never talk to me or anyone else I know in the condescending manner that you did.  That, my friend, is why I will ALWAYS be a dog person.  They are never expectant and eternally grateful.  Total and complete opposite of human beings.

Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

could you tell that to my dog when i come home with grocery bags and it knocks me down looking for its treats lol

That type of "expectant" is a sign of a dog being spoiled and that is perfectly alright in my book!

Thanks for all the wonderful comments and input. The Rainbow Bridge is absolutely a beautiful tribute, ty.

Just yesterday Bugsy got a bit of puppy-like spunk and picked up one of his toys and with his head held high and proud pranced around the house. It was like he was telling me "i ain't going anywhere mom"!

Lips

Awe!!!  Go on with your bad little self, Bugsy!!!!!!  That's good news, Lips!

I've read Rainbow Bridge before and I love it. It's a great image to have in mind.

That's awesome that Bugga Boo was prancing around the house lips. Love that little sucker.

If you're dog is of old age and/or suffering from some kind of health issue then I do not think that it is wrong to put your dog down.  Obviously it must pain the owner to make such a choice, to end the life of the companion.  No matter if pet, spouse, friend, or family member.  Sometimes a person must gain the strength to end the suffering of someone he or she loves.  Thus making the decision of "putting down" the dog because the dog cannot make that choice on its own.  I can see how others would disagree with any person making a decision to end a dog's life because to them, this sort of action would be defined as "cruelty".  Those are the same people that would feel the same way about the abortion of human babies.  But so what?  Don't think about what and how others feel.  It only matters upon how you feel.  It would be right to put down your dog to end his or her's suffering because you are making this decision out of love.  Love brings happiness & Love brings pain

yes... if your animal of any type is SUFFERING... its the right thing to do... even tho it may be hard for you, if you were miserable, suffering and in pain and gonna die, would you wana endure?
at the same time.. if you put down a healthy animal-your heartless.. and those ppl that just "let them go" specifically talking about animal owners that "change their mind"-yea, those ppl are a pathetic excuse for a human being. i have 3 dogs as a direct result of "dog dumping" i dont have a lot, but they're fed, they're loved, they're warm, and they're treated like babies. and i just put up a fence out back, so now i can just open the door to let them out insteada hooking each one up to a runner separately... my heart goes out to the poster & her "furbaby" ...as for "quality of life" your dog is HAPPY when being loved by you... if the dog ISN"T suffering, luv it until it either passes or does start suffering. if that time comes, ask for help if you cant go it alone, its the right thing to do.

The only right thing you can do, if the animals are old and have lot of problems with the health, is to go to the vet and let the them get the last needle. But many people are more thinking about themselves and don`t want to put the animals down.

P.S. I can see this thread are some years old, so I guess your dog is looking down at you from the heaven now

We had a new child after the youngest was 9-1/2 years.  The new child took all of my energy and Shadow (our German Shepherd) was not allowed in the house once she was born.  We had a new carpet installed for the little one to do her crawling on, and we didn't want any dog hair, dander or dirty paws on the rug.  So, Shadow remained outside and in the garage.  He aged very rapidly and became arthritic.  He could hardly move.  My husband and I took him to the Humane Society to have him put down.  I held his paw while he was being injected and until he took his last breath.  I felt very bad about it, but I don't think the quality of his life and my inability to pamper him through it justified leaving him alive to suffer.  I cried and cried and still feel quite badly about it, but I think the right decision was made.

Last year my family's dog went almost blind because of a diabetis and we had to have a surgery. We went to Finland (with car and then with a ferry, the whole trip was about 8 hours long just to get there) and my step dad paid a lot for the operation and thankfully the result was positive and she got her vision back (not completely but as good as it could be, while the other eye was taken out because there was nothing they could do about it. The dog was one of the most friendliest dogs I've ever seen and the whole situation didn't change her optimism and love for being alive. I'm saying this because it was extremely hard to hear that she had to lose one eye, so I can't imagine how it feels to put a dog down.  I think I would only do that if I was sure it is for the best and if my dog was suffering too much.

I think it is the humane thing to do to put your dog down under certain circumstances. Our dog buster developed diabetes as he got older and couldn't walk or function and was clearly suffering .We took him in and they put him to sleep first so he would not know and he just stayed asleep.It was very heartbreaking to me but was the right thing to do.

I Agree with  tks3773 , if the pooch is terminally ill then you have too, My German Shepard Gia got stomach cancer and i tried everything that the vet suggested to treat her but eventually had to put her down because the pain was too much for her , so yes I think its a good thing to do if your dog has no other options to get well 

It took me a long time to forgive my ex husnad for not putting our 13 yr old dog down , We loved her so so much , she had hip displacia and was in sever pain. She was a big dog and had to be carried outside to do her job. He just couldn;t do it and I did not drive . She died on my birthday at the foot of our bed, So sorry she had to suffer

I'm truly sorry for all you're loses. Pets become so much a part of our family, that we can't imagine this world without them. But is keeping them here while in pain a loving gesture. No it is not.
Missymoo I was in the same boat, my husband was telling me our dog Oscar was fine. I knew better.
Finally I took him to the vet myself and cried the whole way there, during and back. But I felt so relieved him went peacefully .
imakin1

I think it is decission what is very hard to make because we love our pets as much as our family, I think you know right choice 

I must admit that I am not an animal lover.  Especially dogs because as a teenager I was chased by a doberman pincer and my friend was bit in the face by a another friend's dog.  Recently my friend's 11-year-old dog was diagnosed with cancer.  The dog had surgery removing the tumor and is recovering.  The cost so far is over $3,000.  That is how much she loves her dog!  So I guess it is a personal decision that each owner has to make.  She says as long as her dog is not in pain she will try to keep him alive.

medtrans

Medtans - i feel bad that you had these terrible memories of dogs and can't quite blame you for not being fond of them. It is unfortunate you were not able to see the loving, loyal side of a dog and what an incredible companion they can be.

I do though understand your fear........its hard to reverse it  :'(

Yes lips.  I am deathly afraid of any animal especially dogs.  If they could talk and tell me what's on their mind it might be different .  I just love when an owner tells me..."Don't worry she won't bite you"  I always respond "How do you know that?"  Until a dog TELLS ME they won't bite me, I will be very cautious around them.  I just can't help it.

medtrans

            We have a Jack Russell  (Lulu)  who is about 13 1/2  years old and she is obviously getting slower
and just not as rowdy as she used to be.  Walks are getting to be more difficult although she still goes,  she is a lot slower now.    I pray she would go peacefully when the time comes.  I understand the humane thing is to ease their suffering but it's agonizing for me to even think about.  I know I would be given the unenviable task  but I don't know how I could.    I'd rather not think about it .

I believe in certain cases putting an animal down is the kindest things to do.
But we need to remember this is a part of our family and should NEVER just be dropped off at the vet to be done with then thrown out like a piece of trash.
There are many vets now that will actually come to your home and do it so that all family members get to say their goodbye.
If there are other pets in the home it is important they get to smell the one that has passes so that they know it has died and will not be returning. When a pet is taken to the vet and put down other pets in the home will continue to watch for it's return. Doing it at home will keep this from happening.
I can tell you that it can be a very good thing for your whole family in many ways!
1 - It allows the one passing to be in a loving environment
2 - It allows other pets to have closure.
3 - It teaches our children humane treatment of animals and about death.
4 - It gives the person who had to make the decision a peace that they will need to deal with their decision!

For anyone having to make this decision I am sorry for your loss and thrilled for the next step in that souls journey!

Note: During death (humans and animals) the last thing to go is the hearing. So never say OH MY God they are dead! But instead gently whisper in their ear "I LOVE YOU!"

FYI - You can also have the pet cremated after death and you will get their ashes back in a beautiful cedar box along with a death certificate.

I believe that when it's time to leave our dog should not live anymore because it will be only the suffering that will not let me stay .. suffering that does not deserve! Love them your 4-legged friends ... forever!