Have you ever had to put your dog to sleep?

Question

My dog "Chance" was acting really strange the past 2 weeks. He started biting everyone and got a really mean look in his eyes. I took him to the vets yesterday and hear he had a brain disease and it was so far along, he had to be put to sleep. His was only 1 1/2 years old and a really good dog, it happened so fast, I am just sick! I had to come home without my dog! I am so heartbroken, he was my buddy!! God Bless Him!!

Answer 1

Hi Kim.
I feel your pain.
Yes I had to put one of my dogs to sleep.because he bit a Little boy and it was the hardest thing i have ever done he was a wedding present form a close friend I still miss him very much I still tear up when I think of him. and that was 4 years ago.
Don't be afrade to cry for him.
Beleve me when I say I tear up reading some of theas questions.
God bless you and hope you are ok.
Your dog understands why you did what you did and will be waiting in heaven for you.

Answer 2

I am so sorry for your loss and that you had to make such a difficult decision. Three months ago, I had to make the same decision with my dog who was almost 16. His leg was paralyzed and he wasn't a candidate for surgery. He couldn't even stand up to go to the bathroom. He also had many, many other health issues that I won't go into. I still have trouble talking about him. He was one of the kindest, sweetest souls on earth.

My in-laws had to make the same decision last month with their little dog. She was only 7, and she had a brain tumor. Their pet's problem started out with seizures and was ultimately diagnosed with an MRI. She was seizuring almost contantly at the end and barely able to walk because of the high doses of medication to control them.

There is little that can be said to take away the pain of losing such a good friend. Once we make a decision to bring a pet into our lives, it is something we might have to face one day. I am so sorry that "Chance" was in your life for such a short time. I'm sure you made his life the best it could be, and I'm sure he loved you for all the love and good care he had with you and your family.

Answer 3

We had to have our dog, Heidi, put to sleep. She was 9 and a lab/shepherd mix. A great dog. She had a knee that had "blown out" and hip dysplasia. We treated her as long as we could, but eventually she couldn't get up off the floor and had accidents all the time. We never punished her, but she was always so embarrassed. My husband had to carry her up and down the steps to get her outside. She was too heavy for me to carry - she weighed 85 pounds. When she got to the point that she couldn't move and would look at you with such sad eyes, we knew she'd had a good life and we needed to do the humane thing. It was the hardest thing we've had to do and I cried for days afterwards. The kids handled it better than I did.

Answer 4

Yes I have. Throughout the years I've had to put several dogs down. It is one of the most heart breaking & hardest things I've ever had to do. I've worked in vet's offices & for animal shelters. It hurts just as bad when it's someone else's. I am so sorry for your sudden loss...it seems harder when it's unexpected...more of a shock. Just try to remember that he is in a much better place & out of pain & running free. And that one day you two will be reunited again. Only the body dies....the spirit lives on.

Answer 5

No I haven't. My dog is 16 years old now and doesn't see well or hear good anymore and I dread the time that I may have to make that decision. She was there for me through my divorce when she was still a pup and has been a wonderful pal. I actually hope that it doesn't come to the point that I have to make the decision as it will be heartbreaking. I am sorry that you had to go through it.

Answer 6

Oh I am SO SORRY for you!

A couple years ago we had to put one of our puppy's to sleep after the neighbor's big dog got hold of him. It was absolutely heartbreaking- I had him before I had kids, so he was my first baby. I mourned for him like I did for any human. And to this day, we still talk and share memories about him.

I know this is a very difficult time for you and nothing anyone can say will probably make you feel better. Just know in time that things will get better, but his memory and the love you felt for him will never go away.

Answer 7

Yes, I had to put my great dane to sleep about a year and a half ago. She was 9 and she had bone cancer. It was the hardest thing I have EVER had to do. I never thought that I would question myself when it came to the right time to let her go, she was in pain and I wanted her to die with dignity (meaning I didn't want to wait until she could no longer walk or eat).....well when it came time I wasn't sure if it was the right thing to do. How was I to know what she wanted, was she ready? My vet was awesome, he came to the house to put her down, so she could go in her own bed, she fell asleep so peacefully. I miss her so much, she was the best dog I ever had. I am sorry you had to do that, but in the end, it was for the best. Chance wasn't himself anymore. I am sorry for your loss.

Answer 8

Yes and it was the worst experience of my life and i still think about it years on. My dog had cancer and was so bad he was running into walls.One day he looked at me with those eyes as if to say help me. I cried and took him to the vets. As i lay with him on the floor he slowly fell asleep. I have never been so heartbroken in my life. I know what you are going through except i brought my dog home and buried him in the garden. He was my baby and i was never going to leave him there,

Answer 9

I'm so sorry. It's hard to put a pet down and at such a young age....
I've put three down over the years. All due to old age. All of mine had good long lives. I'm sure you're heartbroken.

Answer 10

Yes it is very heart breaking experience.

Did they say what type of brain disease he had? The only thing I can think of is rabies. Which if he did bite someone they will need to be checked.