Gonna have to put down one of my dogs

C.Edmondson

C.Edmondson

Joined
Jan 22, 2009
Messages
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My oldest pitbull Mason hasnt been getting around good lately, hes 9 years old and has had problems for years. Im assuming the problems come form breeding, hes a blue fawn. I not one to get real emotional about stuff like this but its about to kill me. Ive become real attached to this fellow, everyday, every morning, hes their in the kitchen waiting on me. The vet said yesterday he had pancratitus. Man this might be the saddest s@#t Ive ever seen. He cant jump on the couch anymore and has lost about 20lbs. Ive had dogs my whole life, and never thought it would bother me but damn this is hard!!!:( If hes not better by tuesday I feel like Im allowing him to suffer, If you have ever been in this situation you know what Im talking about. Man this is tuff cruel s@!t.
 
i had a doberman with a seizure disorder its tuff when the bad days out number the good ones..... i feel ya brotha

jake
 
Thanks Jake, man this is bad situation. Amazing how close we all can get to ours dogs. hes like my kid
 
you know theres just no words when he's been your buddy and only tried his best to please you his whole life, Hang in there Man.
Ken
 
I can only sympathize and wish you and he the very best. I have a soon to be 11 yr old Akita named "Arashi-Ko". She has been my best friend since I got her a little over 10 yrs ago.

Arashi got sick while I was on my first deployment in 2002 and I thought I was going to loose her. When I returned home, I found a vet who finally gave her the proper diagnosis, "Sebaceous Adenitis", a genetic skin disorder where the immune system recognizes the oil glands as the enemy, thus leaving the dog appearing as though they have the mange (Imagine having extremely chapped skin that causes open sores and extreme hair loss). I then found there was no cure for the disease and no real documented treatment.

Through my vets research and my own I found that the majority of dogs diagnosed with S.A. have to be put down within the first year due to unbearable pain. Now, over seven years after the diagnosis she is still hanging in there. She has started loosing her sight and has developed some hip dysplazia (but still manages to find a way onto the couch if no one is home even though I have to lift her into the car which is a much lower height) and she has constant battles with eyes infections due to her skin condition.

Every time I begin to think she is about ready to give up, she surprises me by doing something silly and then just looks up at me and smiles. Every time I get to take a pass or a few days leave to return home to visit the wife and kids (that would be Arashi and her little brother Huey, my wife's Beagle), she greets me at the door smiling as always and acting like a puppy again.

Arashi and I have been thru alot over the years. I trained her for Search and Rescue and she was certified for Live Find, Cadaver, and Water Borne Cadaver. She received her Therapy Dog Certification, AKC CGC Certification, as well as assisted me while teaching obedience. She destroyed an entire bedroom when she was 2, the vet diagnosed her with "Seperation Anxiety". She has survived all six of my deployments and managed to help keep my wife and mother sane during my absence. Most importantly though, she has been my stability and source of sanity even when I thought the world was falling apart around me.

As she lays here at my feet next to the desk now, she has no idea how much I have depended on her over the years, or maybe she does. A trainer I once worked with told me that we humans spend approximately 10% of our time that we spend with our dogs actually paying attention to them, where as a dog spends 90%. We develope bonds with them that goes far beyond anything a non-dog owner could ever understand. They become so much a part of our families that we treat them like children.

I know the days I have left are limited and try to enjoy them as much as possible, just as I am sure you are as well. When the time comes, hold his paw and let him know you are there. I promise he will understand.

God Bless, please know that all of us pet owners are sympathizing with your situation and wish you the best during this difficult time.

Murph
 
It ain't supposed to be easy, Charlie. If it was, we didn't deserve to have the love from that friend in the first place, IMHO.
When it's time, do what has to be done and be there with him.
Then honor his memory by being an even better friend to your next buddy.
 
Guys I really appreciate the kind words and inspiration on this, if in any way I can ever help yall, just let me know. Yalls words have kinda put me in a better place with this stuff, I cant explain how much you guys words helped, Thanks and Godbless,Charlie
 
I hope all the best to you and Mason. There are few things as bad as seeing an animal in pain, especially one you love like a kid.
 
In my lifetime, we have NEVER had a dog to just die, we had to have them all, 9 over the years, put down, it is never easy. But do what is best for your buddy and go on. The only regret I have is my Cocker that I left at the vet to dispose of. There seems to be some comfort in taking care of the remains and keeping them close by. We now have markers (rocks) for them in our little burying spot.
All the best to you Charlie, I know your pain.
Jim
 
This is so sad Charlie!!!!
They might be critters but we love em just as much as blood kin!!!
 
I have put down more than my share of good dogs and it does not get easier with time.
We understand what you are going through and feel for you and your pup.

Best regards, Fred
 
One of the toughest things I've ever had to do in my life was have my dog put down. Time makes it better and knowing that you for sure are doing the right thing to not let your friend suffer.

Dogs live one year to our seven because they give seven times as much love as we can.

--nathan
 
Been there and done that. It's always a sad day when it comes. Remember the good times and KNOW that you're doing the right thing.
 
Fred.Rowe said:
I have put down more than my share of good dogs and it does not get easier with time.
We understand what you are going through and feel for you and your pup.

Best regards, Fred
Click to expand...

I had to quote Fred here as my wife and I have lost several dog family members through the years . I actually find it harder as I get older . We have a sanctuary in the mountains behind our house with the cremated remains of all from the last 19 years . My avatar use to be of our Samoyed which we lost 4 months ago to kidney failure and I could not look at her picture everyday with out crying for awhile . Now she is no longer in pain . Knowing that they are no longer suffering helps to reduce the heart break . They are always missed .

The avatar now is of a neighbors dog , friend of Sadie who we lost .
 
It is never easy to put your friend down. I have had to do it several times. I remember once where our dog got hit by a car and you could see the blood line where he was draging himself to the back door for help. The Vet could not do anything for him and we had to put him down, even had to do it to one of my horses when I was a teenager. So I do understand. I wish you the best, it is a tough job ahead of you.
 
I've been there many times... all I can offer you is:


A dog's prayer

Treat me kindly, my beloved friend, for no heart in
all the world is more grateful for kindness than
the loving heart of me. Do not break my spirit with
a stick, for, though I should lick your hand between
blows, your patience and understanding will more
quickly teach me the things you would have me
learn. Speak to me often, for your voice is the
world's sweetest music, as you must know by the
fierce wagging of my tail, when your footsteps fall
upon my waiting ear. Please take me inside when it is
cold and wet, for I am a domesticated animal, no
longer accustomed to bitter elements. I ask no
greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your
feet beside the hearth. Keep my pan filled with water,
for I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst. Feed me
clean food that I may stay well, to romp, and play
and to do your bidding, to walk by your side and
stand ready, willing, and able to protect you with
my life, should your life be in danger. And my friend,
when I am very old, and no longer enjoy good
health, hearing and sight, do not make heroic
efforts to keep me going. I shall leave this earth
knowing with the last breath that I draw that
my fate was always safest in your hands. I will
always be your best friend.

-- author unknown --
 
I'm very sorry Charlie... there are few things harder than putting down a friend. It's awfully hard to see that there are times it is the more humane path.... even though it hurts us so damn much.

+1 to my friend Fitzo's post. :)
 
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