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.

 

[Wagtail]

To be honest, I'm torn regarding this decision. I have two horses, there is no 'large animal' vet in my Shire (county) and there have been stories that the vet is not skilled in the dosage required to put down a beloved horse. A neighbour is known for humanely putting down with his rifle.

That being said, I have read up on where to 'put a bullet' if required as I believe I could and would do it. They're my horses and pets and I owe it to them as part of my 'pact' of having them in my life. To me, it's the honourable thing to do.

As my Queen, Elizabeth II has said,"Grief is the price we pay for love."

 

[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.

 

[Qapla]

Having been raised with animals in the country, I have been around this situation for most of my life.

When I was younger my Dad usually took care of this task though I had to a time or two back then.

After being grown and having my own family the task has fallen to me when needed. There have been a couple times when we were able to call a vet to take care of a horse - we even called a "service" for a couple horses (they do it for free because they take the horse for "disposal" .... they make dog food for greyhounds).

However, most of the time we have taken care of it ourselves. I have had to put down cows, horses, pigs, dogs, cats and a few others. Never easy, always necessary.

Sometimes you wonder which is more difficult, shooting one that is in misery - like a dear sick dog, or one that is health and being put in the freezer - like a cow or pig raised to be food.