Putting your dog down.....

[General Lee]

Hopefully we can keep this discussion professional. I know some here probably have done it, but could you put your own dog down by pulling the trigger yourself?

Lets skip the fact that something traumatic happened to the dog and the vet is to far away to await euthanasia. That is a little easier to decide. Lets say, the dog is old and its just his time. No quality of life and the end is imminent?

Please no passing judgement.

 

[mrmikey]

I know where you're coming from and no judgement call from me but I couldn't do it.
When my last dog had to be put down I took her to the vet, laid down beside her as the vet administered the drug and hugged her as she passed and bawled like a baby. I'm tearing up now as I type this and dread the day when my current dog has to go but I'll do the same thing. I hope someone will do it for me when my time comes
Good luck whatever way you decide...Mike

 

[Kenneth in Texas]

Sounds harsh, but we are a long way to a vet, if it was the middle of the night or anytime we couldnt get to a vet or pay one to come to us and a accident happened, I would have to do what I had to do.

If it was planned like very old age or disease, then I would have the vet come and perform that.

 

[sea2summit]

Sounds harsh, but we are a long way to a vet, if it was the middle of the night or anytime we couldnt get to a vet or pay one to come to us and a accident happened, I would have to do what I had to do.

If it was planned like very old age or disease, then I would have the vet come and perform that.

That^

My dad could put our animals down but I've never been able to do it outside of an emergency.

 

[Ed of all trades]

I have done it and it was as hard as anything I have done. My mind thought all kinds of thoughts and I had to put them aside and do the job that needed to be done. Hope and pray I will never have to do it again. Ed

 

[Al Mac]

It is never easy to put a pet down. Many pets are closer and better liked than some family members. I have taken more dogs to the vet over the years to be put down than the average owner. That is how life is when it revolves around dogs.
I have never put a dog down myself. I could (I think) but it would have to be a last resort. They always die with me at the vets and I take them back with me. They are/were put to rest on our property but that was changed to private cremation some years ago and I spread the ashes on our land.

It is not easy to do but that last drive (I do mine alone, 45+ min each way) will give you time to reflect on the joy your pet has given you. Something many would not understand until they walk in these shoes.
For me the cost and time to do it is just part of having a pet. From the start of their life with us to the end I treat them as a family member.

From your post I expect that the time has come for a older pet. It is never easy but part of the life cycle.

Take Care

Al

 

[rickyb01]

I have grown up doing it my whole life. I have never liked doing it but I really didn't have a choice when I was younger. We had a lot of hunting dogs and some didn't make the cut. I do have a dog now that is 15 and was scheduled to go be put down last Monday at a vet. I was going to do it but my kids and wife got really upset so have decided to use a vet. Anyway last Monday I couldn't take him because I convinced myself he was better than I had thought. He is not and I will have to take him in soon. I thought out of respect i should do it but my family would think I'm a monster. Dying is a lot harder on the ones left and it's a very emotional part of life. Ricky

 

[PsRumors]

I've done it but don't like to. If the family is home they stay inside and turn up some music so they don't hear the shot. Years ago I had an instance where it didn't go well, still unsure how that happened but I saw those eyes for months in my sleep.

 

[SpringHollow]

I have been fortunate in that it has never been an emergency situation for us. I have always paid to have the vet come to us so that I did not add stress to the pet's last hours. The office staff always resist having the vet come but the vet we like has always agreed to come. I think this is the best option but it is not one that is always available to us.

Ken

 

[Citydude]

My dad put our pets down when I was young. Years later, when it was time for me to do the same, I put a dog down. Since that time, I've had the vet do it. I'm just not emotionally able to do it again.

I really like the idea of having the vet come to our home rather than the agonizing car ride with a loved one that's not coming back home with us. Thanks for that.

 

[dmccarty]

I have been fortunate in that it has never been an emergency situation for us. I have always paid to have the vet come to us so that I did not add stress to the pet's last hours. The office staff always resist having the vet come but the vet we like has always agreed to come. I think this is the best option but it is not one that is always available to us.

Ken

The last two dogs we have had to put to sleep, where down at home, by the vet. It was time. You KNOW when it is time. We have had two different vets do this at home. Easier on the dog, still not easy, but when it is time, it is a time.

If I HAD to put them down, I would, but ....

Later,
Dan

 

[rgr33]

I don't see any way I could put my dog down myself, unless it was an absolute emergency and it was humanely necessary. The last dog we had to put down was in the back of my pickup at the vets office, and I held him in my arms and saw him out of this world. Tearing up as I think about it now, but he just fell asleep, in the arms of a loved one, and I think that was the best way for both of us.

 

[rekees4300]

Lets say, the dog is old and its just his time. No quality of life and the end is imminent?

Guess it depends on your definition of "quality of life". If the dog can still eat, walk and is pain free then it would be difficult to justify pulling the trigger.

 

[k0ua]

I have done it and it sucks. It bothered me a lot. I have put down some for others that were not close to me, and that wasn't bad. But one that is close, is really bad. I don't know which is worse the taking them to the vet or doing it myself. The last one I had to put down was on a weekend, and the vet was closed. It had to be done, but that doesn't make it any easier.

 

[newbury]

Guess it depends on your definition of "quality of life". If the dog can still eat, walk and is pain free then it would be difficult to justify pulling the trigger.

"Pulling the trigger" and "putting your dog down" can be two dramatically different things.

When I was about 4 I got a beautiful blond collie type dog, which was my constant companion in rural Vermont. By the time I was about 14 she had become disabled, could barely move her back legs despite numerous visits to a good vet. She injured a back led and despite our care had maggots in it. I knew it was time, my father took her for her last walk in the woods. :bawling:

Years later, the dog that sort of replaced her was in my care, and he was old and dying and I had to have the vet put him down.

Several dogs later (which all ended up in being put down by vets after a long life) in 2011 this Corgi came into my life as a pup (technically my 28yr old son's dog).

She was wonderful. Very smart (had us well trained within 6 months), fastidious, well mannered, friendly. Would spend hours on our recliner leg rests as we watched TV.

Two weeks ago she started having trouble walking, several trips to vets, two misdiagnosis's, two MRI's and 9 days ago she was diagnosed with encephalitis and given a 70% chance. She was immediately put in emergency. Almost 1 week ago exactly, February 28th at about 3pm eastern time, we visited her in the hospital for the last time. :bawling: :bawling:

She could barely lift her head, her tongue was hanging out and she barely knew us.

Our son, who was beside himself, decided she should be put down if need be.

We convinced him to wait another day.

February 29th at 8am , (coincidentally our 8th wedding anniversary) I answered the call from the vets with a very heavy heart.

SHE WAS OK

Today, almost a week later she is still stumbling around a bit, and can't jump very well. However her recovery seems to be going well.

I could not have shot her without great remorse. However, given no vet I might have been able to administer a shot of sedative.

/edit - just go back from carrying her down the stairs (and back up) after a successful bathroom run.