Terrible decision day-

[kennzz05]

Without knowing the whole story though how could you get mad.

The dog could have a temporary condition causing that. Maybe the Vet told them to make sure the dog got exercise any way they could.

It's easy to judge but until you know the whole story its not fair to criticize people.

you could see the dog was ancient on its last leg (no pun intended)

 

[Ray H]

you could see the dog was ancient on its last leg (no pun intended)

It doesnt matter what you see.
Im going through a similar situation with my 15 year old dog right now. He has good days and he has bad ones. On his bad days, he can barely stand, on his good days, he semi runs through the yard to meet me and still shows signs of wanting to play. I can say that if he were to spend half a day riding in the backseat of a car, he would probably not be able to walk very well once he got out. To watch him hobble and stumble around, you would think that he was in pain, but Ive had him for nearly 15 years, I know when he feels pain, and if he was in constant pain I am prepaired to put him down. For a stranger that sees him for 10 minutes to make that decision or to second guess me is just ignorant.

 

[yardape]

Unfortunately life is not forever and none of us are guaranteed an easy exit. If I'm in misery and can't speak for myself I hope someone has the sense to do the humane thing.

I had a young lab that went blind we think due to overbreeding. We put him down because he was running into walls at very high speeds. I still remember that awesome dog 35 years later as an animal that helped me through a very difficult time in my life.

I know you'll do the right thing when the time comes. Best wishes to the both of you.

 

[SCW]

I had a young lab that went blind we think due to overbreeding.

<snicker>There are a lot of jokes to be made with this one. At least he went in style...</snicker>

Good dogs are hard to forget, so are the bad ones. I can't even remember where I buried two of my dogs. Terrible I know. I know where I buried my worst dog, I think she's under a housing development now. Damn dog- still.

 

[DrMoab]

It's a F*CKING dog!!!!!

Here, let me draw a picture...... Hasta

So what is your point.

There are a lot of people...me included that think their pets are just another member of the family.

Open your mind a little and realize that people have different views on things then you.

 

[RichP]

So what is your point.

There are a lot of people...me included that think their pets are just another member of the family.

Open your mind a little and realize that people have different views on things then you.

Yea, a good dog is like having a child that never grows up. I was a mess for two weeks after we put cody, our westie, down. Even now when any family member thinks about him there are still tears. He was a spoiled brat but one who would launch himself from 5 feet away into your lap when you got home and lick the days grime off your face, ears, neck, etc. Still miss him.

 

[yardape]

Some people appreciate dogs as a source of unconditional love. Others see them as nothing more than livestock,..... skin, muscle and bone, to be shot when no longer useful. That's a pretty limited perspective if you ask me.

I have a friend who's 2 year old lab was poisoned by a family member to get even. She can't prove it but apparently there were incidents leading up to the poisoning coupled with the fact that the guy is an a'hole anyway that makes her certain. How can someone do that? Or people who will shoot or poison a neighbors dog because of incessant barking? That's a neighbor problem, not a dog problem. Not to get sidetracked from the original thread but who the h_ll made them g_d?

 

[toyotawrench]

Dude, i Feel for ya, I had a germen shepard (colonel), he was an awesome dog, only about 8 when he herniated(<spelling) a disk in his lower back. We tried everything we could short of surgury (2500 bucks+) to fix it. We simply didn't have the moeny. That was an awesome dog, and your dog looks like awesome dog. Do whats best for the dog. Because he would always do whats best for you. Hes not just your bestfriend, your his too.

peace
Ted

 

[nick86]

It's a F*CKING dog!!!!!

Here, let me draw a picture...... Hasta

You have just proved that you are the biggest loser in this club.

 

[ZacSquatch]

You proved that a long time ago SilentBob

 

[Beej]

SCW, I really feel for you, no matter what, after you've bonded with a pet, his/her passing and suffering are no different than the experience of losing any other family member. Grief and bereavement are grief and bereavement regardless of how many legs s/he has. There will be pain, and likely it won't be easy.

I can't help but think about the advice you have been given by your vet. I'm often sceptical of service professionals and their advice. How does he know your dog is in terrible pain? What is he using as a baseline measure of your dog's pain? Does he know for certain?

I'm not bashing him in particular, but pain is a very subjective and personal experience. No two people experience pain the same way, and there is plenty of research that shows our experience of pain is largely influenced by our perceptions of what has caused the pain, and the implications of what the pain is associated with as well as our understanding of what it may bode for our future.

It can easily be argued that animals have a very limited self-awareness, and certainly don't have the complexity of understanding of even the dimmest of humans. So really, what is your dog's experience of this pain? I would suppose that you, who know your dog best, have the best idea of whether or not your dog is suffering, certainly better than your vet, who has not lived with your dog everyday for the last six years.

The really paranoid part of me can't ignore the fact that your vet needs to make money, and it in his best interest to advise you to treat this issue with his expertise for as much as you can possibly afford. This might be a gross mischaracterization of your vet, but really, only you can make that assessment.

I feel for you, these decisions are never easy...

 

[SCW]

I'm with you Beej, for the most part I try to stay away from vets, doctors, etc. Most of the time the prescribe something because the patient wants *something* just to feel better. That said, this poor dog has really been on a roller coaster, real bad that forst few days then doing a little better, now he seems to be sliding back a little, but not too alarming yet. Every once in a while he still cries when he tries to move, but for the most parts he's getting around the yard OK.

I just have to remember, 50% of all vets (doctors, lawyers, cops, engineers, therapists , etc) are below average. That helps me deal with people a lot better some days. For all you public schoolers out there please ask someone to explain why 50% of the population is below average

 

[Beej]

Well, my own experience as a service professional is partly what has informed my opinion. I'm often bewildered by what clients tell me other therapists have told them about their issues.

At this point in my career, I start every relationship with a client explaining why they themselves are truly the only experts when it comes to their own experience.

In my experience, people don't come to me because they don't have the answers, the majority of the time, they already know what's up, they just don't trust their own opinion, and feel they need to seek out an 'expert'. Its pretty few and far between that I offer an expert opinion that differs from their own. Most people are pretty in touch with what's going on with themselves, no matter how f**ked up they appear on the outside.

I have to admit, with few ethics, it would be very easy to take advantage of a client in pain who just wants some answers and guidance, and sadly, some service professionals do just that pretty regularly...

 

[ZacSquatch]

You really are a shrink? What has Canada come to...

 

[DrMoab]

You really are a shrink? What has Canada come to...

Should I feel guilty for laughing out loud at this?

Yep...hes a real shrink.

 

[Beej]

I may be a shrink Zac, but I'm not your shrink, so that *might* excuse my behaviour. Besides, I'm human too, and humans are fallible...

Also, its a well-researched fact that at least 25% of therapists go into the profession to resolve their own issues. ( :gag: ) My biggest issue is that I'm a selfish, perverted, asshole...

 

[Ray H]

Well, today was my terrible decision day. My best friend of 14+ years took his last breath today. Its been working up to this point for months now and I finally couldnt watch him struggle any longer. Just a very hard decision to make. Ive fed him, cared for him and protected him for 14 years, it was very hard to change gears and kill him. From the time I woke up this morning and knew today would be it, to the time I looked into his eyes and felt his last heart beat, I felt I was betraying his trust and he knew it. Intellectually I know it was the right thing to do but emotionally Im just overwelmed with the thought that I let him down. he's been so frail and needed so much help these last couple months and Ive been there for him and today, I killed him. That hurts alot.

 

[RichP]

I may be a shrink Zac, but I'm not your shrink, so that *might* excuse my behaviour. Besides, I'm human too, and humans are fallible...

Also, its a well-researched fact that at least 25% of therapists go into the profession to resolve their own issues. ( :gag: ) My biggest issue is that I'm a selfish, perverted, asshole...

Just like pharmacists, I've been told by more than a few that their professors have 'encouraged' them to try the stuff they sell..... and a drug store owner that owns 7 stores, her biggest problem is getting employees who won't 'sample the stock' on a regular basis...

 

[FordGuy]

Ray, I have done the same several times now, and Its the right thing to do. Dogs are born to run and serve their Masters, not able to do that they are not happy. You did what your Dog would have wanted. Letting go of the only thing in your life you will ever have that gives un-conditional love is one of the hardest things you will probably ever do.

 

[SCW]

That sucks Ray, my recent experience has made me very sympathetic to your loss.