I'm taking my friend's 14 year-old German Shepperd for euthanasia. Any advice?

Question

I plan to stay with the dog while she's put down. I was thinking of feeding her a treat just before?

Answer 1

Please print and give this to your friend: I'm sorry for his loss, I just lost my cat on Deceber 8, 2006.

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

Answer 2

Red flag. I am glad for you to be such a good friend, but the owners has to sign the euthansia form or else it legally cant be put to sleep. By law the owner has to sign a consent form to have their animals put to sleep, so someone off the street cant just pick up dogs and say they are their own pets and euthanize them. So talk to the vet and your friend about seeing if they can have your friend sign the release before you take it to the vet. At such a hard time I dont want you to have to deal with taking the dog in 2 times. Once is hard enough. I hope everything goes well, just be prepared that they may twitch, make noise, or gasp even after they are gone. That usually doesnt happen though, but I thought you might want to be ready for anything. You are a very good friend. Good luck

Answer 3

If you can take a piece of clothing with the owner's smell on it I think this would relax the dog alot. Putting down a pet has always been the hardest thing in the world for me. The only way I get through it is knowing my pet is suffering, and it's the humane thing to do. If the owner can afford it I would have the dog cremated. That gives me a great piece of mind. You're a very good friend. It must be a blessing having a friend like you. God Bless.

Answer 4

It's a nice thing youre doing. But be prepared if the dog is healthy and not just suffering from hip dysplasia. Had to put my German Shepherd down for that. If the dog is healthy the body will fight it and its gonna be pretty rough. As for the treat go ahead, we give cons on death row a last meal. Why not a dog that I'm sure is 10 times better than them.

Answer 5

My 14 year -old German Shepherd,Anton, was paralized in his rear legs due to spinal arthritis,and he was also bleeding internally.He was at the vet for 3 days, without improvement, before we decided to put him down.Before we did it,we went to McDonalds and bought him a double cheeseburger(cheese only ,of course),and an ice cream cone.He ate them while I sat on the floor ,petting him and telling him how good he was,then the vet gave him the injection and he passed very quietly.It helped to know that he left this world with a full tummy and a hug from me. So,yes,if the dog will eat,I say give her whatever she likes best,and then hold her as she goes to sleep for the last time.You are to be commended for doing this favor for your friend.

Answer 6

I've had to have my dogs put down, it is very hard. I also had to put down a dog of my own, that was a bit easier because i felt that i was the one in charge and sent her away with a prayer. I think that a prayer might help if you are a worshiping type.

Give her some ice cream if you'd like, its all good. Kinda a last meal for a prisoner, it just doesn't matter.

Answer 7

Feeding her a treat is a nice thought. I gave my 13 year old cat a nice treat before I had to take her to be put to sleep. When the vet gives the injection, her passing will come very quickly. Just hold her and love on her and talk gently to her about how much she is loved and how blessed you all are to have had her for so long. Just let her know you are there.

It will mean a great deal to your friend to know that she died knowing she was loved, safe in her friend's arms.

Answer 8

Leave him on leash at all times, especially if he is having that problem. It sounds dangerous. If he does well on his leash, use that to train him! Don't exactly make him heel, but make him walk loose leash. Before you start off walking, make him sit. Then give him some command like "let's go" or whatever you want to use to walk. As long as he is walking close enough to you that the leash is loose, praise him constantly, even give him a few treats. If he starts to walk far enough away that the leash tightens slightly, give it a SLIGHT tug, say "no pull, *name of your dog*", and then see what he does. If he stops or turns back to you, or does anything that the leash losens again, praise him and reward him. If he pulls REALLY hard on the leash and books it out in front of you, slight tug, say his name sharply, make him come back to you and sit. MAKE HIM SIT NEXT TO YOU! Wait a few seconds and then do the command again to walk. Make him stop and sit everytime he pulls really bad, rewarding him for every time he doesn't pull. If you do this for a couple months, EVERYTIME YOU WALK HIM, he should learn and be good (If you let him pull you on just a couple walks, he will never learn). I never recomend walking a dog off leash until they are about a year or two (even though I never really recomend it period). But before that time frame, they are puppies, and no matter how good their training, puppies get distracted. Spend the first year of his life leash training, and if you do it properly and consistently, then after that, your dog should do well off leash

Answer 9

I've been there. A few years ago, my mom and I went and put down our German shepherd. We just stayed with her and petted her.

I'm not going to lie. Even if you don't know the dog, it's still hard. It still mists my eyes thinking about it. Pet the dog, love the dog, speak calmly with an even tone. Try not to excite the dog. Dogs can tell a person's emotion by their heartbeat and tone of voice. A treat might be nice.

I'm sorry for your friend's loss. That's tough.

Answer 10

What a good friend you are. I know the feeling, because my hubby and I had to put down my mom's little dog. She couldn't bare to do it. We cried like babies and it wasn't even out dog. Just stay with her and pet her and calm her. Sometimes they go so fast, it's amazing, and that's because it's their time to go. That's the best thing that we can do for them for all the pleasure they've given us thru the years ! Also, if the dog will take the treat, go for it !