Putting dog down

[bigz]

This isn't law enforcement related but I had to do one of the most difficult things I've ever done today. I had to put my 9 year old English Mastiff to sleep. The thing I struggled with is the timing of the whole thing. She was definitely in the twighlight of her life as the life span of a Mastiff is 8-10 years. She also had severe arthritis and had a difficult time getting around. The other night she was wincing in pain and the vet basically told me they had no way of knowing what was wrong without a bunch of test that would have cost a great deal of money. They suspected she had some type of nerve damage based on her symptoms which could only be repaired surgically due to her massive size.So rather than spending a ton of money (I"m getting married soon and don't have alot of extra money at the moment) I just told them to give her something for pain and made the decision to euthanize her. I'll never know if this was the right decision or not but I couldn't stand to sit there and watch her suffer. I'm having a difficult time with this. I don't have any children so she was almost like a child to me. She will be missed:crying2:

Mike

[CA Cop]

I'm really sorry to hear about your loss... I had to do the same with my yellow lab a couple of years back and it really is like losing a child.

It won't really seem like much comfort to you now, but I found that getting another dog really helped. She will never replace my old dog, but she's a blessing of her own. She reminds me of my old dog and it's great to know that I have another lifetime of memories ahead of me.

Just know that what you did was the right thing for your dog. If it was her time, it was her time. And it's much better that she didn't suffer.

All the best in this hard time...

[dmclark]

It's a tough time, but alot of us seem to be doing it this year. I put my Italian Mastiff down 3 months ago and it was a rough road for a few weeks. I found it helpful to clean out everything that was his, scrub out the areas and get a fresh perspective.

I agree that when your ready, another dog is a big help. DM

[Mongo]

bigz, sorry for your loss.

It is honestly like having a child and good friend pass on. Earlier in 2003 my Mastiff had to be put down. He was only 3 at the time, but none the less I was very attached. Only about another month after that, our Rottie was diagnosed with cancer and we made the decision to put her down since it was eating through her left leg bone. This was very detrimental as it was a second big loss in a short time - she was 9 years old. Both were very hard and every time I see a mastiff or a rottie I kinda get all stuffed up thinking about Thor and Katie - but life goes on. For xmas, my wife gave me a framed pic of the two dogs together. It was a photo I snapped when they didn't know I was there - caught them both looking out the window side by side staring at the sky. I've kept that pic at work, somehow my wife got it, blew it up and framed it. Needless to say, when I opened it....a whole 8 months after they both died...I shed a tear. It won't get easier, but at least you have memories.

Good luck and take care.

[ATF SAC]

So damn hard, but necessary to be just hard enough to care when they suffer and not be selfish. Dopey, fartin', in the way mutts, so damn glad you are around. Give it a little time and maybe go rescue one. How I got the latest asshole in my life. Golden. Sheds hair everywhere and Mrs. ATF SAC vacuums the crap out of the abode every day, cursing his hairy ass. Cursed the previous freeloader too and still keeps his pictures around. Current guest ate a bundle of bag ties couple of years ago and got one hooked in the stomach. Like to think Mrs. would pay for surgery for me with the same speed she did the hound.

Everyone of us feels your loss, but applauds your kind decision for a friend.

[LA Express]

One of the most gut-wrenching times of my life was when I had to put down my German Shepherd, who was in the prime of his life, due to a node tumor. I'd been through "people deaths" before, many to whom I was quite close, but losing the damn dog felt even worse. That in turn made me feel guilty as hell, until a friend spelled it out clearly and succinctly: Pets, dogs especially, give you an unconditional love that is unmatched by anyone, including family members. It took me awhile to adjust, especially since I was unable to get a new pet, but time does indeed heal all wounds. I agree with the advice regarding getting a new dog. I'd do it as quickly as you're able, if you still want a pet. Take care!

[K9 Police]

Ditto to everything already said.

Take care, and get that next puppy as soon as you can!

K9

[bigz]

Thanks for the kind words and advice everybody. I'm already doing a little better. At first I took down a picture I had of my dog, but I put it back up today. I'm trying to focus on the good memories instead of her last moments. She truley was a good friend and deserves to be remembered fondley. I'm probably not going to be getting another dog anytime soon. Unfortunately that contributed to my decision to euthanize her. I'm not home that much and I just couldn't take the thought of my dog sitting at home alone being in pain. Her greatest joy was being with me and if I could have been home more maybe the trade off would have been there in terms of quality of life. I'm sure I'll get another dog again someday but for now I just want to try and get past this.


Z

[K9 Police]

Bigz,

It was very admirable what you did. I know a lot of people would have been selfish enough not to go through with it. You did and s/he is in a better place because of it. You did the right thing. Like LAE said, they love unconditionally. Always there waiting for you with a smile, no matter what you did that day.

They are with no doubt man's best friend. Hang in there, I know it is tough.

K9

[tacuptoday]

Bigz,
I am sorry for your loss. You DEFINATLY did the right thing. It would have been wrong to let her continue to suffer. We lost our beloved Porter on March 17,2003 (a black lab mix). He died in my arms at home. It was the worst. But I know he is not in pain anymore. There is a GREAT poem called the "Rainbow Bridge" about the loss of a beloved pet. If you get a chance, read it, it might help. You being home more would not have made any difference, you were loved for who you were, not for how much you did. I'm sorry you aren't getting another pet. There are some great rescue leagues who have older dogs for adoption, who wouldn't require a great deal of time, but need a lot of love. Maybe as time goes on, you will consider that.
Again thoughts and prayers are with you.

Rise

[universible]

I'm very sorry to hear this.

I've never actually had a dog (wife and I have plans for one now, just waiting for my job to find out where we might be moving to)...but I grew up with cats. I had to put down one when I was 18. I had her since I was a real little kid, so it was very hard. I held her in my arms as she died, felt the life leave her actually. Just last year we put down our last cat, who was probably the best cat we ever had...met my parent's at the vet and sat in the room with them as he was put to sleep...my dad even cried (which is rare to see, actually).

Ted

[Time Traveller]

My thoughts are with you...one of the hardest things you will have to do...get another puppy...soon.