Mans best friend - shooting vs euthanasia

[TheGDog]

(My Rat Terrier had multiple these ulcerative tumors, towards the end I was changing her bedding everyday from all the bleeding, and she'd lost about 20% of her body weight before her quality of movements told me it was time.)

Negative... you DO NOT need to or want to do that man. That'd really mess you up inside man.

Euthanasia appt at the vet is very peaceful. You're right there with 'em.

Doc runs an IV. Then first injects a powerful muscle relaxant. You're all allowed to pet your baby and the fam gets to say their goodbyes.

And then the liquid that makes the heart stop is white in color. So you can see it flowing thru the line and making it's way to your baby. So you'll know when to focus on their eyes, and you'll eventually know when they're gone.

I felt good knowing that I could give her such a painless end to the pain.

Miss you Brizzy. Miss you Mancha.

 

[MCS]

I've done it both way. I always felt it was my responsability but on my last dog I couldn't do it. Do what every is best for you and your dog.

 

[Marbles]

A lot of interesting replies. I'll say money would never be a deciding factor in what I chose. I am by no means rich but I've paid thousands testing, treating, scanning and providing supplements for him and making sure he has great medical care to live the most comfortable life. As mentioned above this comment, when I said I don't think of him as my "kid", I 110% think of him as my family. There's times I've put him before a family member and put him before a girlfriend I've had for 12 years. I'd say I hold him higher than most hold a dog/pet.

I'm not saying people are wrong and opinions are just that, opinions. The shooting method at first, I thought of as a more intimate gesture and not as cold and cheap. Like I first said as well, I'm not sure I would even be able to pull the trigger but I have weighed it as a possible option. The vet coming to me would for sure be the other option. I wouldn't take him to the vet because as some have said, my boy doesn't get aggressive or lose his mind going but it is safe to say he does not like going to the vet. I'm still leaning towards the vet coming to me. Hopefully it will be some time before this all comes to reality but I'm sure I'll weigh the options until that time comes. It is very helpful to hear all of your personal experiences whether they are good, bad, neutral or just different.

Neither way is wrong. Even believing it was the correct course, it feels incredibly screwed up to take advantage of a dogs trust and shoot him. Mine hated the vet, and only really trusted me. It was why I had to be the one to do it, but I cried for hours after. He deserved me being willing to carry that burden. I'm not sure it would have felt less FUBAR trying to keep him calm so a stranger could kill him for me. As it was he had a good romp in the woods and eat about a pound of smoked salmon. It was an end I would take myself if it had to come. It was also the hardest route for me.

 

[Marble]

I have really zero desire to shoot any dog I will ever own, just to put out out of any misery. I don't care how much it would cost to be euthanized and cremated. The image in my mind will never go away. I want that last image to be a good one. One of love and fondness.

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[sneaky]

Here you go Randy, this is Abby and Blue

Which one is Blue?

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[DiabeticKripple]

There is no way I could do it to a dog I knew.

Vet at home will be the option I go for, I dont care how much it costs. I owe it to my best friend to be there holding him in his final moments. Even typing this I feel the stinging in my nose...

 

[SwiftShot]

There are people that will do it medically at your home or in a controlled environment. Dog gets a snack, makes them sleepy, then a little iv meds. The snack puts them out. They never even wake for the IV.

 

[rodney482]

There is no way I could shoot one of my dogs, children or spouse.

 

[Tod osier]

Good thread, I learned a lot. I hadn't really considered it, living most of my life in a neighborhood where a gunshot would be a problem. A few years ago a friend shot his dog when it was very ill - and he said never to do it yourself. He didn't share details, but his message was very pointed.

Now thinking about it, If the dog was in decline and it is time, I think I'll stick with the vet. Last dog, we had the vet do it in the parking lot in the truck, since that was the best compromise of ease and comfort for the dog. If it was a traumatic situation like mangled by a car, I'd do it myself just to speed things up.

 

[eoperator]

My wife backed over Trigger our first dog. He hated the vet and died flailing about after being injected for the "propper" euthanasia my wife requested. Our next dog saddle I did myself at home, it was over instantly while being comfortably at home.

 

[Crghss]

Zero percent chance I could put my own dog unless we where somewhere getting to the vet just wasn’t an option

Are those in favor of doing it themselves also planning to skip any hospital stays or already got a dnr filled out for themselves?

Has nothing to do with OP but he’ll yes I have DNR. Crazy not to, seen way to many people suffer to long for nothing.

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

@Randy Newberg

Calvin my retired Golden. We hoped he would live long enough to make my daughter’s sr. Pics last fall and he’s still with us.

Chewy (Chewbacca) my wife’s golden doodle is my Griff's best buddy.

Oscar my Griff and bird dog in training. I love that pic of him and Calvin smelling and looking for birds.

 

[Szwampdonkey]

Zero percent chance I could put my own dog unless we where somewhere getting to the vet just wasn’t an option

Are those in favor of doing it themselves also planning to skip any hospital stays or already got a dnr filled out for themselves?

You bet my Medical POA is all set so my wishes are known when the time comes. As an RN i’ve seen way too many people suffer and linger at the end. It’s best to face the fact it’s over and go with conviction and dignity. It’s not very dignified laying unconscious in a hospital bed for month with a 20yo CNA attending to your every need, and i mean every need.

 

[Tmac]

I’ve had to put them down with a gun due to injury, taken to the vet and let them give the iv/shot, given the shot myself. No easy way I've found. It’s a suck I can’t embrace regardless of the method. Our lab is headed down hill now and it’s gonna suck.

 

[Customweld]

Which one is Blue?

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He is the gray jackass. Forever in search of forgiveness for his bad decisions!

 

[5MilesBack]

What did people do before there were vets to call or take them to?

 

[bsnedeker]

What did people do before there were vets to call or take them to?

They died from cholera.

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[5MilesBack]

They died from cholera.

I guess that's always an option as well......let them die on their own.

 

[Bearwhisky]

My dog was on the downside for a couple years and I told myself that entire time I was going to do it myself when the time came. I have zero moral issues with it, and honestly sometimes lean that it would be more righteous to do it yourself than contract it out. When the day came, I couldnt “pull the trigger” and I took her to the vet. Mainly because I was worried about it not being a clean hit and didnt want to witness her doing the death flops. I still think it may be the most righteous thing to do but I flat out bitched out.

FWIW, I certainly view my dogs as more than “livestock” but I am far less down the spectrum of the dogs being “part of the family” as a lot of people seem to be these days. Somewhere in the middle there and I still couldn’t so it. My dogs also dont live in my house.


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[OregonSteeler]

Geez! I'm a total wu$$y! I can't even read this thread and not tear up thinking about my last dog.

This thread sucks!