Woul you consider euthanasia?

[Bluey]

@Cat_Tap

Thank you so much Star Pattern, I am crying right now while typing this. In the past I was able to stay with all my dogs when they had to be euthanized due to old age or illness but this time I couldn’t. It was tearing me up to watch him struggle and fight to the end. I became almost hysterical and quickly ran out of the building.

My trainer and female vet assured me that in the end they were able to stroke him and settle him. This is something that will stay with me forever

Until that day he was the perfect dog, smartest, best trained on and off leash. Loved car rides and visiting stores with me, perfect gentleman towards strangers.

I don’t know if I will ever have another dog, I look at all the posts of dogs needing to be rescued but cannot move past that.

There is a time to go on, a time to sit back and not go where the risks are more than the rewards.

I am still struggling after now 3 1/2 years my last dog passed at 14 1/2 and that was without the struggle you had to go thru for your last dog, horrible situation.

Still, at my later 70’s age and some health problems, I just don’t want to go there and have a dog depend on me for 24/7 continuous care, is not sensible, because I won’t be there for that all the time.
I need someone to drive me to drs appointments, if sick enough to need care for myself, someone will need to care for dog.

Some times, you have. to sigh and keep on the best possibly foreseeable track for you and be sensible.
No more pets unless circumstances change and have a fail safe way to get everyone taken care of properly.

Don’t hurry your decision, make them as they come up and take your time.
All will work out for the best, if not always be what we wish for.

[Annie10]

Cat how are you doing?
I’ve been there too, sometimes we can save them
From everything but themselves. Peace is the ultimate gift we can give them.

[Cat_Tap]

It has been 5 months. The house is too quiet though cleaner. Miss our walks, shopping trips and agility training in the arena. I have too much time on my hands questioning my decision,filled with guilt.

[Maythehorsebewithme]

You have nothing to feel guilty about. You gave him and yourself peace.

[jherold]

You absolutely did the right thing. Unfortunately, the right decision is often the hardest to live with. It also sounds like there is some depression going on. Maybe reach out to your old trainer and agility training club to see if they know of any dogs needing homes. There has got to be one out there for you. Maybe post your wish list and general location and see if the power of th COTH can work its magic and find you the perfect companion.

[cutter99]

@Cat_Tap, you need to offer yourself grace. You made the best decision possible in a bad situation. I have much respect for how you made your decision and that you stuck with him until the end.

[S1969]

@Cat_Tap

It has been 5 months. The house is too quiet though cleaner. Miss our walks, shopping trips and agility training in the arena. I have too much time on my hands questioning my decision,filled with guilt.

There are many dogs in the world that can benefit from a kind owner. Why spend that energy on a dog that is dangerous and physically too big for you?

My SO lost his doodle mix so we’ve been looking at rescue sites. The number of dogs in need is heartbreaking. Throw out some of the preconceived breed expectations and see what is available. To be honest, a senior needing a soft landing might be just the right thing for you, and they can be difficult to place.

[2DogsFarm]

{HUGS}
Do NOT fall victim to the What Ifs.
You made a tough decision that was necessary.

Could you volunteer at a shelter or foster another dog?
Even 1 day a week.
Might fill the void & could help you find your next dog.

[Marla_000]

Great post 2dogs-
Volunteering can be a great picker upper for both you and the jail house dogs stuck in a cage.
Even doing some leash training and light obedience can be fun and the doggos LOVE it.
Time to get out of your shell and
Expand your thoughts and activities.
More hugs to you.

[Red_Dust]

first off, many hugs to you.
And then hug yourself some, and get yourself some chocolate!
You have done all you can for your dog. Same as people, sometimes individuals are just ‘not wired right’
The tough thing is to find something to fill the void.

I was Ok when I had to put my old kitty down due to cancer. We had many laughs over the years and I knew it was time to let her go. Sure I cried. because she was so special.
This December 6th I lost one of my dogs. That one hurt. She was only 8 and it went down rapidly. (I wonder if she ate something bad, because her values were all over the place)
And my other dog - her daughter - lost her bearings. So now I have 1 cat, 1 dog, and they are driving me nuts because their eating habits have changed so much.

So I went on Petfinder, so see what was around locally.
And I found the numbers of senior dogs just heartbreaking.
I found a couple of prospects (and wondered if I wanted to drive that far) when fate intervened and dropped a bunny in my lap.
There are a lot of gorgeous dogs out there looking for a home. I am sure one would fit your bill!

[Cat_Tap]

I have lost track of all the applications to foster or adopt I have filled out. Most did not even reply. There was one dog that was offered, a 2 year old Bully cross without training or leash experience. He was a large dog and I was afraid that I could not deal with him.

I belong to the Bouvier Rescue group and found out that a 4 year old was available from my breeder. She went to a home more suitable than me. While speaking to the breeder’s wife she stated that she and the Rescue were shocked to hear about Colton and I. She did not specify whether they were shocked about my choice to euthanize or Colton’s behaviour.

I had called the breeder to let him know what was happening but all he said was “you do what you have to do”. Apparently the breeder had a major health issue at that time, leaving his wife to look after all their dogs, therefor one old dog was euthanized and a 4 year old female rehomed.

All of this really made me crash.

[MunchingonHay]

@Cat_Tap

All of this really made me crash.

Cat_Tap, please give yourself some grace and time to grieve. None if this is your fault, you did so much for Colton; training, you had the vet asses him, you excercised his mind and physically, you did so much more than what most people do with their dogs that are “extra”. I truly feel that Colton was imbalanced in his brain and you would never be able to lower your guard and be at ease with him in the house.

Also, what is going on with the breeder is NOT something you can control at all. Its unfortunate that the breeder washed his hands of the dog, but that is NOT a reflection of/on you.

You did the best for YOU. Sending you a hug.

[Aussie_2020]

Do you have time to volunteer at a local rescue or shelter? Being a dog walker you’ll experience all the dogs and maybe find one that you want to foster. If fostering goes well you could then take the next step and adopt.

[betonbill]

Plus the local rescue or shelter would come to know and appreciate you, which should give you an “in” to adopting a pet from them.

[Cat_Tap]

The Saga continues. Filled out another application for foster/adopt for a Boxer, 6 year old who along with his offspring and another adult were passed on to a Rescue as the owner could no longer manage all the dogs. At the same time there was a a post from a local Shelter needing an urgent home for an 8 year old female shepherd cross. Replied to them stating I could help.

Weeks later the picture of the Boxer was again on Facebook. I posted a comment that this was frustrating as I had offered my home.

Now one week later I received two phone messages, one from the Boxer rescue the other from the Shelter. Boxer Rescue has now scheduled a 2 hour telephone interview for 1 p.m. today.

I did not return the call to the shelter as I am now conflicted as what to do next. The Rescue interview is not a confirmation just a courtesy as I am not allowed to complete another application. You are only allowed one a year.

Now what to do. There is very little information about the Shepherd cross other than she has a kind disposition. The Boxer on the other hand has lived in a house full of dogs with very little outside socializing.

Now what do I do. I guess I will wait to see how the interview turns out and then call the shelter to return their call.

PS. Just recently learned Colton’s breeder has passed. He had received his cancer diagnosis the day I called him about Colton. Such a sad situation all around.

[Kinda_Kooky]

What would YOU rather have? A Boxer or a Shepard mix? Something else?

This is an incredibly frustrating situation to be in. I would think a rescue would jump at the chance to have you adopt. While proper placement of a dog is essential, I question the process. It seems extreme.

If you would like a dog from the Southwest NM/TX area, let’s get one on a plane to you. Dogs around here would line up to be yours. Rescues fly dogs out from here frequently.

In a neighboring city, it is common to see need to re-home ads for really nice dogs on Craigslist due to Military relocation.

Just a couple of ideas, if I were closer I would bring a car packed full of them to you. We have a lot of dogs that need homes here.

ETA: sorry to hear of the breeder’s passing.

[Alterwho]

@Cat_Tap

The Saga continues. Filled out another application for foster/adopt for a Boxer, 6 year old who along with his offspring and another adult were passed on to a Rescue as the owner could no longer manage all the dogs. At the same time there was a a post from a local Shelter needing an urgent home for an 8 year old female shepherd cross. Replied to them stating I could help.

Weeks later the picture of the Boxer was again on Facebook. I posted a comment that this was frustrating as I had offered my home.

Now one week later I received two phone messages, one from the Boxer rescue the other from the Shelter. Boxer Rescue has now scheduled a 2 hour telephone interview for 1 p.m. today.

I did not return the call to the shelter as I am now conflicted as what to do next. The Rescue interview is not a confirmation just a courtesy as I am not allowed to complete another application. You are only allowed one a year.

Now what to do. There is very little information about the Shepherd cross other than she has a kind disposition. The Boxer on the other hand has lived in a house full of dogs with very little outside socializing.

Now what do I do. I guess I will wait to see how the interview turns out and then call the shelter to return their call.

PS. Just recently learned Colton’s breeder has passed. He had received his cancer diagnosis the day I called him about Colton. Such a sad situation all around.

I think you should meet both dogs before making a decision.

[endlessclimb]

Agreed with this!

[Cat_Tap]

Just finished a very lengthy telephone interview with the Boxer Rescue. It was a positive experience and I think I answered all the questions correctly re; past dogs my training regime etc. Now there will be forms to be signed with witnesses etc. that I will have to scan and return.(Hopefully I can figure this out as I am not computer savvy.) If they approve me I will meet the dog spend time with it, decide whether or not to take it and then take him home.

I will foster for two weeks before making the final decision. I then have to decide whether or not to keep him. If I do not want him I will have to foster until an adopter can be found. The dog cannot return to a kennel.

The interviewer has no idea how long this process will take. I left a message with the Humane Society stating that I had to hold off on the Shepherd as I am now committed to follow through on the Boxer Rescue.

Feeling a bit more optimistic.

I have agreed

[libgrrl]

Best of luck!!!