All about dogs - dog breeds, dog training and behavior, news affecting dog owners or handlers, puppy pics, etc.
Rules (Will be refined later on).
Don't be a dick. This should cover most things, just keep in mind that everyone started somewhere and try to be helpful rather than rude or judgmental.
No personal attacks based on training style or tools.
Discussion of balanced training including proper use of aversives is allowed here.
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I just had to put my dog to rest a few weeks ago. This post brought me to tears once again. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. We knew she wasn’t feeling well but we thought it was probably just worms or something simple. It wasn’t. We scheduled for it to happen at home because she was scared to death of the vet. From the time we scheduled it to the time it happened was the longest 3 days of my life. I miss you terribly little girl. 😢
Explanation: This is an actual Roman epitaph for a pet dog. Ancient peoples loved their pets just as we do. RIP, sweet pupper
Argos made it into Homer's Odyssey for this same sentiment.
Pearl was his wife if that tells you anything. /s
Trigger warning, I guess, but had to put my boy down a few years ago. I was fortunate in that he was in my arms in passing, but fuck, the way he went slack at the end really stuck. Gave me a taste of some shit I was not ready for that day.
I went through that last week with my cat. It was so heartbreaking and traumatic
When we had to put our sweet little girl cat Scout to sleep a couple years ago, she came back for a split second trying to fight and attack the pentobarbital as it was flowing into her leg. I can never unsee that moment, and it broke me on a level I will never fully recover from
God damn, air hugs your way, but as tough as it was, I'm sure it was the best thing, despite the last second animal instincts.
unrelated, but the USA uses the same drug on human beings for lethal executions
But your vet is more invested in making sure your pet doesn't suffer in the process.
We also use high-speed lead injections in some states now too
bullets
Yeah, it is/was one of my greatest feelings of loss I've ever experienced. Broke down instantly. Makes me dread the day I get a call about one of my parents, but perhaps I'll be at least slightly more prepared then I would be otherwise. One could consider it a parting gift I suppose...
I have power of attorney over my parents, and have strict instructions to pull the plug if there isn’t a significant chance of a full or near-full recovery. They’re in their 80s now, both with DNR instructions, so any chance of a significant recovery (if they have an incident) is becoming ever more remote. Plus, they’re in the channel for MAID - Medical Assistance In Death.
So yeah. I’m their personal Grim Reaper. And they’re counting on me to be exactly that.
But they brought me into this world, and I will do my duty of care to walk them out of it with as much grace and dignity as possible.
I was there when my 12 year old Boston mix was put to sleep and I was utterly shocked at how fast the transition went. I literally turned to the vet and said, "my god, is it over already?". To think that someone you spend nearly every day with for over a decade can be gone in seconds... it's humbling and awful.
My first dog died at a little over 5.5 years old in my bedroom. It was so traumatic, the stress triggered an autoimmune illness and I haven't been the same since (it's been 3 years and 3 months).
I had to do it more than twenty years ago and I fear that I will have to do it again soonish. It leaves a mark on your heart.
It’s a raw feeling. I wish I could forget it. But I can’t.
Yeah. My old manimal was put down a decade ago, and I still think about him nearly every day. It was crushing, watching it happen.
He didn't give a damn, though. Cheerful as ever 'til the last breath. Suppose that's the best any of us can ask to go out like.
My 16-year-old cat just needed an ultrasound a few days ago, and they gave her some sedative that made her go completely limp in my arms within like 30 seconds. I was not even remotely prepared for that, and it felt like she died in my arms. Needless to say, I cried a bunch and I think I also got a taste of some shit I was not ready for that day.
One could not hope for a more pure visualization of "letting go." We extoll its virtue, but it can be so hard to do. No matter what, there will always be something that we hold on to, until our final breath.
You gave your friend a great gift that day. I know it was hard, but you should be proud of the compassionate person that you are.
Pet deaths are always so hard. They're usually so perfect and sweet, and then they just go, and it's always too soon. And you want to properly express to them, somehow, that they were perfect, they were beautiful, and they were loved.
What the fuck, who asked for this post? Why the fuck did you post this OP. Like what the actual...
Weeps for the next few hours*
Oh, this one got me too while at work. Had to grab a tissue.
This hits. Said goodbye at the end of February. Would have been 15 in March.
Also, general PSA, there are many vet clinics that will do at home euthanization.
WHOA THIS IS SO AWESOME
Never occurred to me that it was possible and happens
I just had to let go of my 15 year old best friend last week, thank you for this.
I'm giving palliative care to my 14 year old hound. His appetite is still good and he's mobile, but this is one of the hardest times in my adult life, even though I've been preparing myself, knowing that his breed's life expectancy is around twelve years. Last time I had to put a pet down was a ~~car~~ cat I kept for 15 years and that sucked too, but it's been a long time since then.
Last time I had to put a pet down was a car I kept for 15 years
Cars are considered pets, now? (J/K)
It was not a Jaguar. 😸
He’s lucky to have you. Good human.
This is why spoiling your dog(s) is an obligation rather than an indulgence
Not a bad idea to finally find out if your dog loves chocolate in the moments before
Made me cry, miss my old boy so much. Almost been a year....
I’ve always appreciated and applied the Zoroastrian reverence of dogs:
https://zoroastrians.net/2021/08/09/importance-of-a-dog-in-zoroastrian-religion/
TIL in Zoroastrianism, otters > dogs:
In the Vendidad, it is stated that the spirits of a thousand deceased dogs are reincarnated in a single otter (“water dog”)
Ok, this hurts. I have a 16 year old Shih Tzu that, at his yearly a month ago, the vet find a mass in the back of his mouth. Because of his age, I opted to not explore further in case it weakened him.
On the Plus side, nobody told him something may or may not be wrong so he continues to speed down the hallway and spins out at the kitchen and on his walks, he drags me around at his speedy pace
Considering his brother went into congestive heart failure on Mother's Day right after lockdown, I'll take this with grace :) (sort of)
Just on a curious side note, what do people who don't have anyplace to bury their pets, (ie; apartment dwellers etc.) do with the remains of their pets once passed?
I had my dog cremated and the vet had an option to pay $100 more, and someone from the local wood working high school team designed and builds the cremation box. I did that and now she’s in a beautiful cremation box that’s well made and local. I think it’s a good way to honor my dog, I miss her everyday
I've had one cremated and I've been meaning to take some of the ashes and make a glass sculpture for something permanent, and then go release her ashes out somewhere. Others have had backyard.
There are several companies that will take ashes and make jewelry, paper weights, ornaments, sun catchers, etc.
You can get them cremated but I've always gone for the "ask someone with a car to drive me out into nowhere and pick any ol spot that isn't too close to water". Depending on timing this sometimes requires me to wrap them up and pop them in the freezer for a couple days which isn't stellar feeling but gets the job done
For a fee you can work with your vet, or sometimes even county/city programs, to cremate your pet after they die.
Will $35,000 be enough to take care of your financial aid?