Have you ever had to put your dog to sleep?

Being old is one thing, but being sick is a completely another thing. Would you want your pet to suffer more? That is the question you have to ask yourself. When I was young, we had to put one of our pet dogs down. She had a terrible hole in her brain after a fight with another of our pets. This was my fault as a kid. I forgot to lock the door. I have to live with this guilt all my life. And now I am over careful. We have put stray dogs down (ones with fits, jaundice, broken legs, etc.). It is a lousy job, but you're actually doing them a favour.

Yes, I had a dog a long time ago. It was a German Sheppard and was a great dog. When it was around 9 years old, it started to have a lot of problems with its legs. The vet diagnosed the dog with some heart problem and eventually we had to put the dog down. I believe that the dog was over worked since it was a police dog. Sadly, we had to put it to sleep and I bet it now rests in dog heaven :)

I recently had to make this decision, and it was a very very hard one to make. My dog has been suffering for a long time, and we have tried everything we knew to help her get better. We even switched vets just to see if a different treatment would help her, but nothing worked. My mom was actually the one who suggested it at first, but I couldn't do it. However, she wasn't getting any better and it was really hard to see her suffer all the more. Finally after many more rounds of treatment, my mom decided that it was time to have her put to sleep. I agreed, but I wasn't there when it happened. I was scared to be there I guess. As much as it was hard for us, I did feel relieved afterward. My dog was out of pain and so were we, so it was for the best.

I could never imagine having to make this decision.I know there should be more help out there for people who truly care about their pets.Like you said the vets cost way too much.If the dog was truly suffering everyday,I would seriously think about what was best.It must be really hard on your child as well.The two of you should sit together and make the decision.It is a hard call.Good luck

its realy hard to think of anything that you are close to dying but if they are in so much pain i think you just need to let them go.we had a dog and someone had given him some sort poison that was killing him he was suffering so much that we just had to have him put to sleep.it was best for him we couldnt sit by and watch him go through so much pain.most people when they are asked what would they do will say they wouldnt do it but when you see an animal in so much pain and you love them like you do.you do what is best for them they would probly love you more for letting them go than to make them suffer anymore than they have already.just remeber what they were like before they got ill

Yes. Two dogs, actually, had to be put to sleep after they developed kidney problems because of a certain brand of dog food, which I will not name. It's a heart-wrenching experience watching them die. But it is the more humane thing to do. Apparently, it's fast and it's painless for them. I wish I could say the same for myself. I cried for days, more than my kids did, so my heart goes out to you. Whatever your decision, I'm sure it won't be an easy one.

My dog is 10 years old so I know I'm going to be faced with it in the next few years. I wasn't around when our dogs I grew up with had to be put to sleep - my mother did it the day before my wedding. Both of my boys are grown, but I know it's going to be hard on them, they love this dog. I wish you the best, it's not an easy choice. Hey, have you contacted the local SPCA? They might be able to help you out...

I had to put my cat Spooky down after he became very ill actually 5 years ago. He had kidney failkure and a heart problem. He got to where he could not even move. I think I paid $75 at the Humane Society to have him pout away. I help him as he was given the gas etc. He looked at me one last time as if to say bye then he was off to kitty heaven. It hurt and I cried my eyes out but it was worth it seeing him relieved of his pain, agony, and misery he was experiencing. HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~

It's sad to hear what happened to your dog, but it's unavoidable too. I'm currently having my first dog, which is only 1 year old. I understand I'll have to go through the pain one day later too. I saw my aunt's dog getting old and really sick until they had to decide to put her to sleep. When I saw the dog, I really felt pity for her, and I understood why my aunt had to make that decision. She didn't even eat at all. Although it's a sad to make that decision, there is no other way to make her feel better.

Our family had to put our 13-year-old Siberian Husky to sleep back in 2000. It was one of the hardest things any of us have ever done. It was time. She had really bad arthritis and had trouble getting up. Her liver was starting to fail and she was really beginning to suffer. We knew we would feel worse if we let her suffer just for our happines. As heartbreaking as it was, we knew it was the right thing. You will know when it is time. Good luck to you.

We got charlie as a puppy, he was a cocker spaniel and loved to play we only had him for maybe a month but in that time we grew so attached.We had to have him put to sleep because he had a very infectous disease that had already progressed to far.We couldn't let him suffer anymore than he already had from this so we had to let him go, a costly decision at the vet but better than the alternative. A sad story but in such a short time he was a great little dog.

oh boy!, i feel for you i have had my chihuahua for 4 years now. This situation frightens me when the time comes for my partner too! best of luck i wish i could give u more advise on this matter. :-( good luck!

At the begining of the summer, I just had to put my 13 year old cocker spaniel down. It broke my heart but he was living in pain and his quailty of life was not what it was. I did not want to do it but I knew I had to do it.

Yes I have had to put dogs to sleep when they are old and in pain. I had to put my seventeen year old Border Collie to sleep because he had Valley Fever and Cancer. The vet said you can not do anything at that age and through experience I know it. He stopped eating and was beginning to have real pain and I could not bear that worse than putting him to sleep. I have had some bad experiences at the vets office putting dogs to sleep in so much as they go into convolutions etc.. I asked just how it would be I wanted to be with Onyx, no taking him to a back room so I need not see his suffering while they put him down. They gave him an overdose of sleeping medication through a shot. They gave the shot and supported him so he did not fall, I patted his head and talked to him, he fell asleep and by the time they gently lowered him he was gone. I should be so lucky as to go that way. It helped knowing that I ended his suffering. They have a website thats a great help after the dog is gone. They have a candle cermony where a day and time is picked and people from all over the world light a candle in memory of their pet together. I don't remember the website you would have to do a search for it.

I could not imagine putting my dog down so I can understand how you are feeling. I have not yet had to go through that but I honestly don't know if I could pull together the strength to do it. I obviously wouldn't want him to suffer so if it was something that was causing him a gue amount of pain I think that I would consider what is better for him as I couldnt bear to let him live in a huge amount of pain but if he was sick and getting old and not in pain I think I would just let him go on his own...I don't know that is such a tough situation. i wish you the best of luck in finding what is in your heart to be the right thing.

I have not had to put down any of my dogs but I did have to put a rabbit to sleep once when I was very young, probably around 8. He was ill as well and I think that losing someone you consider a family member is extremely hard and can make this a very difficult decision. I think that yes, if your dog is in pain and you would be helping them to not suffer anymore, it might be best. But I don't think anyone can make that decision but you, because you have to be comfortable with letting them go. You could keep your dog with you until they die naturally, but again that has to be something you are comfortable going through. Best of luck and I am sorry for your situation.