| Author | Message | ||
     Mtnmason |
The time is nigh to have Jimmy, one of my companions of 12 years, put to sleep. I rescued him and his brother Floyd from a kill shelter on 9/17/2001. They are blonde lab mutts (with pit, chow and others). They were a month or so old when I got them. Floyd is the more handsome of the two but dumb as a box of rocks. Jimmy was always the brains behind the operation. It was around this time of year in '08 when Jimbo was hit by a car on a residential street adjacent to our house. My dad is nearly certain that the driver of the Mustang whacked the throttle open and swerved to intentionally hit Jim. The driver stopped at the top of the hill about 50 yards away, I suppose for a quick survey, then peeled off. To give you some background – these dogs were obedient enough with me that I could walk them around downtown Richmond without a leash and they would stay on my heels. Dad had them out to load them in the Ranger and head to the park. Jimbo, being the plucky little bastard he can be sometimes, decided that night he would go explore across the street really quick before loading up. Wrong night to do that. My dad felt absolutely terrible for this (even worse than he feels for having a strap break while my '77 Yamaha XS400D was in the back of his pick up. It dented the hell out of the tank). I assured him he was in absolutely no way culpable (for the dog, he shouldn't have used a frayed ratchet strap on the MC). It was very disappointing too that the vet seemed to think Jimmy could make a full recovery. He was hit squarely on the left hip and spent about a week in the animal hospital. His leg muscles atrophied and he was never able to regain full strength. Within the past 6 months his mobility has deteriorated considerably. He often falls down on walks and experiences varying degrees of difficulty getting back on all fours. Pooping is now especially laborious often resulting in falling down, though he somehow manages to always stay clear of getting poo-smeared! As difficult as it is, I can't allow it to get much worse. Jimmy is well aware that something is wrong with him. HERE IS WHERE I NEED YOUR HELP IF YOU GOT TIRED OF READING ALL THE ABOVE: The vet will allow me to be present when the injection is administered. I will take Jimmy to be buried on a pastoral piece of land owned by a former neighbor and good family friend. I do not know if I would be allowed to have Floyd present at the vet's office or if that would even be a good idea in the first place. I do want Floyd present at the burial. The only time they've been separated is during Jim's hospital stay after the incident. Floyd was a lost soul without his brother with him. Will seeing his brother's burial traumatize him? Should I leave Floyd out of it altogether? The strong emotions that this reality brings are more triggered by the thought of what's to come of Floyd without his heretofore inseparable partner. I have prepared myself for losing Jimmy. Floyd does not have that option. Any advice from anyone who has found themselves in a similar situation would be greatly appreciated. -Ward | ||
| Pwnzor |
I held Sam while he got his injection, and then I went home and spent the rest of the day talking to Max. A few weeks later, Max was still sad and it seemed as though he thought at any moment, Sam would come in from the back yard. We debated getting another dog, and after a process of almost 2 months we came home with Adelaide. Max really needed another friend, and Addi was just the ticket. Back to the point, maybe have him at the funeral, but I don't think I'd take him to the vet. | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
man... that is a tough call. I have heard it is always good to let them sniff their departed friend so I think I would go with Pwnzor on this one. I hate that trip to the vet. But I know I've done right by my pets by being there. I'd ask your vet what they think. I'm sure they have been down that road before. Sorry you are having to make this choice and I'm sorry for your loss. | ||
| Strokizator |
I haven’t even told my wife this story but I hope it puts some perspective on a difficult situation. I live out in the country and Matty was my “farm dog”, part golden retriever and part fence jumper. Never left the property unless she was in the back of a truck and was as good a dog as you could want. Her favorite thing was the day the horseshoe guy would show up and she got to eat the trimmings (Yuck! I know but dogs love this stuff). When my daughters would come home from college or for a visit, Matty would lay outside their bedroom window all night keeping things secure. Often times just before I’d go to bed I’d take a look outside and she would be on the front lawn just staring into the darkness, making sure all was right. She got old as all dogs do and after awhile the arthritis medicine was no longer effective. It was inevitable that her time would come. She was laying under a shade tree and didn’t have the energy to keep the flies off her. I considered loading her into the back of my truck, driving into town to the vet and then coming back home to bury her in a hole I had dug months ago when I had a backhoe handy. I chose instead to do it myself, thinking it would be easier on her than a bouncy ride into town, got my .22 rifle out of the closet and walked outside. She was asleep too far gone to be aware I was standing beside her. Death was instantaneous I’m sure. Instead of her muscles twitching though, which I had expected, she wagged her tail a few times. She was no longer in pain and up in doggy heaven already chasing squirrels; something she hadn’t been able to do for a few years. It's been about 10 years since that day and it's still hard to write about it. | ||
| Strokizator |
Ward, in answer to your question though the thing to remember is not to prolong a dog's agony. Many times it's because we can't let the dog go rather than thinking he still has a few more days left in him. When it's time, you'll know, and then you have to suck it up and do the right thing. It's tough none-the-less. | ||
| Kenm123t |
Our vet. Came to the house when it was Polly s time The other dogs were there right after the vet put here down to say good bye to her The beagle understood she wss gone first then other two hounds Belle the youngest grieved the longest but Polly was her buddy anf playmate Belle was. 3 and Poll was 16 old for a Bassett | ||
| Mtnmason |
thanks guys, you are all kind and understanding. Strok- I almost had to do that exact same thing to a perfectly healthy dog that belonged to an irresponsible roommate but thats a whoooole other long story. I don't know if I could bring myself to do that to my Jimbo, nor would I want anyone else to. While I do believe it to be humane solution, I couldn't bear it, personally. thanks again everyone for the responses and I'll check back tomorrow. Perhaps put up a pic if I can figure it out. | ||
| 86129squids |
OK, Ward, one question in a completely different direction: Is the atrophy and disability mainly in his rear end? If that's the case and he's otherwise strong on the front, there are "wheelchair" rigs available to help him regain mobility. Of course, something like that would only prolong the inevitable with a 12YO mutt, but the option is there. We had friends with a blonde German Shepherd that got old and took on hip dysplasia... they bought one of the best of those types of rigs, but a little too late. I'd not take Floyd to the vet for this; dogs don't generally associate good things with the vet visit. Nor would I allow him to see the burial, dogs will dig. I might suggest bringing Jimbo home briefly after the euthanasia, spend enough time for Floyd, yourself, and everyone else to witness the dog gone, and then take Jimmy's remains to be buried. Tough any way you slice it, but that's what we signed up for when we adopt our fur-buds. After Jimbo's passing, don't wait too long to adopt another deserving pup. It won't fill the absence, but it will distract you from it, and advance the healing. Plus, mainly, dogs need buddies of their own, they're pack animals. We lost a truly great dog a year ago this September, and the rescue we picked afterward never quite matched the "eclipse", the lost one... until recently. Chloe was lost, my GF's dog and mine by proxy, now, Rocky has become "Momma's Boy". Godspeed to the best resolution possible, friend. | ||
| Britchri10 |
I just went through this same thing with my rotty cross, Rowan. You have to do what's best for the dog & not let them suffer unnecessarily. I had Rowan euthanized by the vet. We knew for some time that her days were numbered so we had already gotten another dog to be the friend to Rowans buddy once Rowan was gone. I'm sorry for your current situation. Chris C | ||
| Mtnmason |
Squids- I ruled out the wheel chair a few months back. If Jimmy could put it on/ take it off himself it would be a no-brainer (not being a smartass there). All I can see a wheelchair doing is allowing us to go on longer walks. When he struggles to get up to poo - that will be the limit. As much as i wish he could strap on some wheels to go shit - that will never happen. We have already noticed some turds come to rest near the bikes which means he is not going out to their normal poo grounds ( a 3'x15' enclosed run) Nonetheless, he will never lose the desire to go furthur! When we do walk i find him at every intersection trying to turn farther away from the house. He's a soldier. Once, my folks were walking them at said park near dusk. This was a mere half mile from the shelter they came from (and likewise were incarcerated therein during my ownership of them). Floyd was aprox 30 yds up front of my parents, Jimmy lingering just behind. They happened upon a pack of abt 10 feral dogs. Floyd spotted them first, tucked tail and headed for dad's legs. Ol' Jim charged forward without a sound and sent the entire pack scurrying for the woods. I only hope his spirit will live in someone else's companion. | ||
| Mtnmason |
Moreover, the cheapest rig i saw on fleabay that looked worth it was over $200 for his size. I'd hope i could fab something for well less. Usually a lift with the toes under his bum will get him back going. | ||
| 86129squids |
Not sure, but IIRC there was a DIY site for these rigs... I will say that the build quality and instructions for the one our friends got was superb, with tons of adjustability... Has he had a recent eval from a sharp vet doctor? | ||
| U4euh |
Just had to put my pit, and Velcro girl, down to cancer, its gonna rough, no matter if you take his companion or not. I would suggest not having him at the vet, but definatley have him at the burial site, let him smell over the body,ashard as it is he will know what happened vs expecting his buddy to come through the door. On another note, something my vet has done with our last 3 is to inject them with a dose of the meds they use to relax hyper dogs. This allowed me to comfortably hold AJ for our last 10 minutes before the lethal dose was administered. I would also suggest having a close friend drive you, I had to pull over twice because I just wasn't seeing clearly. Having the same thing happen now. but our heart goes out to you and "the pack", nothing is as hard as choosing your companions fate. | ||
| Airbozo |
We recently had to put our last dog Eddie down. He was not able to stand very well and due to some spinal issues, it hurt him to even lift his head. My vet discourages having another animal in the room due to unknown behavior. She said she has been bitten twice by dogs that have never shown any sort of aggressiveness, while she was administering the injections. The dogs know and protect their pack from perceived danger. She does allow the dogs into the room after they have done the injections though, and feels it helps them to see the finality. My Blue and Gold Macaw Oscar knew something had happened and has been a completely different bird since Eddie was put down. He shows typical signs of sadness and grief normally seen in humans. He is even more loving towards both my wife and myself. The SO and I sat in the parking lot and bawled for 20 minutes before we could leave. Eddie was a special dog and we still miss him. The hardest part was picking up the ashes. Eddie finally got a ride on the Buell... Good luck whatever your choice. It's a hard decision. | ||
| Sifo |
Sort of related, I read this last week. I'm surprised when scientists are surprised by these sorts of findings. Anyway, it's an interesting read that may weigh in on what involvement you want you pups to have. Scans Reveal Striking Similarity Between Human and Canine Minds (Op-Ed) | ||
| Mtnmason |
Update: We laid Jimmy to rest this morning. I took him to the vet at about 9 and held him as the injection was administered. He was buried about an hour later with my mother, father and Floyd all present. Its a very overcast day in my area and the weather seemed most befitting of the mood. Floyd was scouting around the unfamiliar property as I backed the truck up to the grave I had gone out and dug last night (he arrived in a separate vehicle w/ my parents). I had to call him over to see Jimmy before we lowered him down. I had the sheet Jim was covered with pulled back to expose just his head. Floyd walked up, gave him a quick sniff and then went about his business. I pretty much expected zero-reaction out of Floyd and perhaps its better that way. Had he lied down beside him, or licked his face, or started to whine - I would have lost it. It was tough enough fighting it back as things were. I find myself wondering if I will notice any change in behavior in the coming hours/days/weeks. As I mentioned in the original post, Floyd was never a 'smart' dog to begin with; couple that with his onset of doggy dementia and he may remain oblivious the rest of his life. I would again like to thank everyone who responded. It is interesting - the kind of comfort one can find from the words of complete strangers. Writing about it certainly helps too. Dinner will be especially tough this evening when I am only filling up one bowl. -Ward | ||
| 86129squids |
May God's grace find you and bring your family peace soon. When we lost our Chloe last year on 9/23, horribly and unexpectedly, the hole blown in our lives and spirits was quite big... my GF rightly doubted that we'd find any kind of dog to compare to her. Since then, we've adopted Rocky the Chihuahua/Jack Russell mix, and, although certainly no Chloe, he's made a home in our house and hearts just fine. When the time is right, see about getting Floyd a "big brudder" or "little brain" as needed. You oughta treat yourself and your folks to some comfort food for dindin tonite. |
