Would You As A Dog Owner Do This?

[jersey girl]

I'm surprised any vet would put down a healthy dog...even if it was the owners wishes. That's disturbing.

 

[DMikeM]

This is very hard for me.
What about an older dog that will not allow anyone else to come near him? If I pass who will take Duncan and Dozer who will not let anyone in the house let alone near my body. So the animal control will have to tranq them if the cops have not already shot and killed them. Then there is Jade, who I think would adjust to another parson or family. My mom can't take any of them my aunt is usless as shit on a rock. My breeder and one of my Co-workers would fight to have Jade so she is safe. But do Dozer and Duncan sit in a dog pound and die of grief and neglect? What is the more humane thing to do?

Young healthy socialized dog no way.

 

[raechiemay]

I'm surprised any vet would put down a healthy dog...even if it was the owners wishes. That's disturbing.

I thought of this also. I know for a fact my vet wouldn't allow it. Hell she even questioned us when we made the decision to put down our first EM. She made the decision a little more difficult than it needed to be but we were realistic. You cannot expect a 138 lb dog to hobble around on 3 legs, essentially losing one of her back legs. With hip dysplasia & the high risk of blowing out her other knee, it was in her best interest to NOT do that to her.

I can understand what you're saying DDB. I wouldn't trust just anyone with Daisy. Some family members are iffy when it comes to how they take care of or took care of past & current pets, but my close family knows exactly how much Daisy means to me. And I have it in my will as to what I want to happen with her in the event of my passing. Some of you who know how old I am probably think it's crazy for me to have a will so young, but my pets are my children right now in my life & heaven forbid something horrible happen to me that would leave them in limbo after I died.

But I do think there are special circumstances in which euthanasia would be the kindest thing for the pet. I still have to say no when the dog is healthy, young & a sociable breed.

 

[Seanndenise]

Lets just be thankful our parents can't have us put to death so we don't live a life they wouldn't agree with

 

[BlackShadowCaneCorso]

I have known someone who asked for this to be done, and I have to agree that in his case I think it was the right choice. BB got Buster late in life (I came in when Buster was already 10 years), he saved him from a drowning as a runt and raised him and that dog had so many issues (diabetic, EPI, Dysplastic, etc) and the owner used to tease that the only reason they both still got up in the morning was to see which one had made it through the night. Buster was the light of that man's life and he is right, not one person he knew would have been able to do for Buster what he did, their bond was that strong that I don't think Buster would have even tried and he never wanted his senior dog to end up in a shelter looking out through the bars wondering why his owner had left. Well one morning when BB got up Buster didn't and I think that was when BB stopped trying too. He had him cremated and the ashes brought home, just waiting for him. I didn't get to make it to the funeral but my FIL did and he said there in BB's arms was Buster's urn.

In this case it was right for the dog, and I will not judge someone for that. In the case of a young healthy pet, especially one that has had training and could have helped someone else no I can't agree it was fair to the dog and no I would not be able to do so.

 

[jenypri]

wow....No, that dog had many more years of its life left, she robbed that dog of living to its full potential. Being a service dog, it couldve helped others.

 

[Jadotha]

Fortunately, I have a number of animal-loving, giant breed savvy family members that I trust would take care of our dogs, if something were to happen to my spousewitch and me. However, I could envision some circumstances, such as those people have already mentioned, which -- in my mind -- might justify it.

My neighbor, who is a bachelor and doesn't appear to have any family, has considered it. He has two Ovcharkas -- who are fiercely and single-mindedly devoted to him. These dogs thus far have only accepted one other person to even walk into his house, invited. They both have multiple health problems, including severe hip and elbow dysplasia, spinal problems, and one has had a femur fused with plates and pins. This dog has had multiple surgeries ranging from $7,000 to $10,000 in attempts to improve the function of that leg. I should mentioned he rescued both.

They both have hydrotherapy twice a week, acupuncture and physical therapy. AND they are both on different special and expensive diets. My neighbor has calculated that the dogs cost $50,000 last year, alone. Although the dogs are not old -- four and six, I believe -- my neighbor does not think it is realistic to expect anyone else to keep up with their care.

Howeveer, I concur that euthenising a healthy young dog, particularly a trained service animal, is just unthinkable. My vets refuse to do that. They have had requests, and they have had the owner sign the dog over, then foster or find a new home for him/her

 

[Theminblack]

No.

 

[Boxergirl]

No, not in this case. I do, however, have a stipulation in my last wishes that my Al is to be euthanized upon my death or permanent incapacitation. He is healthy physically, but not mentally. His anxiety and fear is such that without constant specialized training, meds, and patience he could be a danger to himself and others. Even now I evaluate his quality of life quite often. If there comes a time when his fears overtake him then, as much as I love him, I will release him. My youngest DD is almost 18. In several years I would consider changing my wishes and letting her have Al. She has always been intuitive when dealing with animals, is very interested in Ethology, wants to study Zoology and Ethology at Purdue, and plans to try to do an internship at Wolf Park. She is the only other person that understands how to work with him. Much as I love my DH and oldest DD, they could not take care of Al. Of course this is contingent upon his progress. He's been having more good days than bad and I'm seeing progress after two years of counter-conditioning. Hopefully we will get to the point where nobody will be forced to make such a difficult decision.

 

[henrycol]

she is fair with her decision. If some pets or puppies we love and we have, why should they die for our matter of selfishness.

 

[Primehns]

I wouldn't do it, she isn't fair with her decision, if the owner is hurt, why's the dog gotta go down with them, and being a perfectly healthy 5 year old, i would have re homed the dog, would rather have my dog be alive and with a family, than dead at an early age. Even if my dog is crazy in behavior i would spend what i got too get my dog too a family member, and hire a solid trainer.

 

[2nd Chance]

Im not 100% against euthanizing dogs on your death. Here is why...
I have a working GSD. He is very obedient out of drive for others in my family. They have no control once drive initiation occurs. I do. Who could exercise him safely? nobody i know currently. Including direct family.

Last year, i broke a bone in foot, and could not physically work my dog. I could trick train from a sofa, that was it.
NONE of my family stepped up the plate. Sure a few walked him for 30 mins, or an hour if they were going that far, but that was it.
For this dog, that is NOT enough. He needs jobs to do or he goes nuts, is unhappy, cant turn off. This is a physical risk to the dogs cardiac system. If you dont turn it off.
I would euthanase Bernie, and not give him to another. As i know, he doesnt do well with not working. And is not bomb proof for others walking him. They just dont have the control of a handler who works him daily. IF i leave him, he does not eat. He's middle aged, and why should this extreemly high drive dog, that has been created to do a specific job by me, and great genes, be asked to be a conformation dog. That to me is cruel.
Id rather PTS

 

[Iymala]

I do not think the issue is black and white. It is highly dependent on the individual dog. I am glad so many people responded with their own personal experiences. I think there is a lot of validity in euthanizing a dog that you do not feel could be safetly or happily rehomed after your passing.

 

[lizzy_troy]

I do not think the issue is black and white. It is highly dependent on the individual dog. I am glad so many people responded with their own personal experiences. I think there is a lot of validity in euthanizing a dog that you do not feel could be safetly or happily rehomed after your passing.

Agreed.

In this instance, involving the young service dog, I think it was a waste. I would not have put the dog down. I believe that once you're dead, you're in one of two places and you don't have any say or care about what's going on here on earth. So, if my mother wrote it in her will to euthanize her perfectly healthy dog, I'd say, "Well, you're dead, so you don't really care anymore," and make arrangements for the dog to be adopted into a good home, if me or one of my many siblings couldn't take it. Unless there is some kind of legal problems that make it where the dog *has* to be euthanized, per the will....... Thoughts on the legal side of this matter??

 

[Bailey's Mom]

I had a quick look on the Canadian site for guide dogs, and I note that users (blind customers) LEASE their dogs for $1 a year. So, they don't technically own the dog's. However, when a senior guide dog is retired the "user" is given the opportunity to give it a home for the remainder of it's life. If that is not possible they will attempt to re-home it.
Now, this doesn't jibe with a foggy memory that I have of a blind tribunal member explaining her concerns over her service dog. I remember her talking about the possibility of the dog being seized and possibly euthanized if she were to die. I remember her telling me that she didn't have clear title to her dog.
I knew two of her service dogs, one suffered an injury getting off a small plane and eventually was put down to end his suffering, the other, only a youngster, really, survived her passing. Our paths had diverged and I don't know the young dog's fate, though I hope, that her husband was able to retain the dog. He also was blind and had a chocolate lab. Hers was a golden lab. The chocolate would have been older...I hope he was able to keep her yellow. Losing his wife would have been enough without losing his dog's friend and companion as well.
Having said all this, it remains, if a dog is young, healthy and capable of bonding to a new family then they should be given the chance. A service dog, notwithstanding their training, may not be a good candidate for a new person, there might be so much language that is learned between them and the previous owner, it might not be un-doable or unlearned. I'm speculating here. I don't remember all the details she gave me.
Mourning is a fact of life for all creatures. I've seen this, and I know of cases where the animal curled up and died from sorrow. So, depending on the youth and plasticity of the animal, the willingness of friends and family, the legal ownership of the dog, I'd say choose life, but if all the other concerns are negatives, allow the dog to peacefully follow its beloved master.
We have addressed this issue in our family, just as we have with our minor child, if something happens to us, Bailey has a home with her uncle and aunt who are large breed enthusiasts. She loves them, they would help her grieve and live on.

 

[vadersmom]

Actually, I was the lucky one to follow through with this request. My mom passed away years ago and she asked for her dog to be euthanized, cremated and buried with her. Hardest thing I EVER had to do. The dog was older but healthy. Probably the best solution for the dog as they were really bonded. I would have took the dog but it would not have been a perfect situation(nothing is). Out of grief for losing my mom, I took the dog to the vet. The vet did it, respecting her wishes-maybe she talked to him prior to, I don't know. What I do know is I, to this day, resent being put in that situation. I did not realize how scarring it would be for me to do that. For those folks who would consider this option for the pet, please discuss this with the person and know it is extremely difficult to go through this. Much tougher than watching my own mother die in the hospital.

 

[lizzy_troy]

Actually, I was the lucky one to follow through with this request. My mom passed away years ago and she asked for her dog to be euthanized, cremated and buried with her. Hardest thing I EVER had to do. The dog was older but healthy. Probably the best solution for the dog as they were really bonded. I would have took the dog but it would not have been a perfect situation(nothing is). Out of grief for losing my mom, I took the dog to the vet. The vet did it, respecting her wishes-maybe she talked to him prior to, I don't know. What I do know is I, to this day, resent being put in that situation. I did not realize how scarring it would be for me to do that. For those folks who would consider this option for the pet, please discuss this with the person and know it is extremely difficult to go through this. Much tougher than watching my own mother die in the hospital.

I'm sorry you had to go through that, but I am glad we had someone from this side of the discussion chime in. Thank you for sharing.

 

[el gato diablo]

In the case of a young healthy pet, especially one that has had training and could have helped someone else no I can't agree it was fair to the dog and no I would not be able to do so.

This was my first thought...not only was it a healthy dog, but it was a working guide dog that could have bonded with a new owner, and provided years of service. I don't care what the circumstances are...that should be criminal on the vets part, and is the hugest of a-hole moves by the owner.

 

[Primehns]

Im not 100% against euthanizing dogs on your death. Here is why...
I have a working GSD. He is very obedient out of drive for others in my family. They have no control once drive initiation occurs. I do. Who could exercise him safely? nobody i know currently. Including direct family.

Last year, i broke a bone in foot, and could not physically work my dog. I could trick train from a sofa, that was it.
NONE of my family stepped up the plate. Sure a few walked him for 30 mins, or an hour if they were going that far, but that was it.
For this dog, that is NOT enough. He needs jobs to do or he goes nuts, is unhappy, cant turn off. This is a physical risk to the dogs cardiac system. If you dont turn it off.
I would euthanase Bernie, and not give him to another. As i know, he doesnt do well with not working. And is not bomb proof for others walking him. They just dont have the control of a handler who works him daily. IF i leave him, he does not eat. He's middle aged, and why should this extreemly high drive dog, that has been created to do a specific job by me, and great genes, be asked to be a conformation dog. That to me is cruel.
Id rather PTS

Or you could find an owner who could work the dog!

 

[Boxergirl]

I wouldn't do it, she isn't fair with her decision, if the owner is hurt, why's the dog gotta go down with them, and being a perfectly healthy 5 year old, i would have re homed the dog, would rather have my dog be alive and with a family, than dead at an early age. Even if my dog is crazy in behavior i would spend what i got too get my dog too a family member, and hire a solid trainer.

Or you could find an owner who could work the dog!

These statements - they're just a bit judgmental. I think everyone has agreed that to put down a perfectly healthy and stable dog is something we wouldn't do. When you are dealing with a dog that has severe issues, it becomes a completely different scenario. It's easy to say "spend what i got too get my dog too a family member, and hire a solid trainer." The reality is that some issues require a lifetime of work, and all the money and trainers in the world won't make a difference if you don't have someone dedicated to doing the work - every day. I don't think you know how hard it is to live with a dog like my Al. His anxiety makes life very frightening for him. It's taken four years of proving to him every single day that he can trust me to keep him safe to see marked improvement. If I loved him less he would have been re-homed long ago. Just because you (me, others on this board) are willing to put in the time, money, and work necessary to keep these dogs doesn't mean anyone else will. People make promises to the people that are dying. They fully intend to keep those promises, I'm sure, never knowing the dedication it takes to work with and live with these dogs. I don't know one person - not one - that would have the patience and tenacity to continue the level of training and counter-conditioning I do with Al on a daily basis. To whom should I send Al if I die? My husband can keep him and he can be kept in a dark house with the blinds drawn 24/7 because my DH's job often keeps him at work for more than 12 hours six days a week. That sure wouldn't hurt the four years of training I've done. My relatives? They'd try for a while and they'd not take his fear seriously and something bad would happen - and Al would be destroyed. And what can I do? Haunt them? Not all situations are equal and it's very close minded to judge others unless you can come up with a better solution than what you have said in the quotes above. I will not betray Al's trust in me by allowing him to go to anyone that will not be able to help him live as happy and fear-free a life as he can.