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A dog murderer?
By Dr Andrew | June 25, 2008
From: Dr Andrew Jones
Author: Veterinary Secrets Revealed
Website: http://www.theonlinevet.com
Re: A dog murderer?
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Hello fellow readers.
Yesterday was one of those crazy, emotional draining days.
And it ended with a very uncomfortable situation-
a pet was aprehended by the SPCA.
He was critically ill.
The owner refused to have him euthanized.
He was suffering, and it was not acceptable to have
him die in pain ” on his own”.
The owner didn’t agree-
I was called a dog murderer.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaah.
I have been called MANY things before- but in 15 years
this is a first.
I would appreciate your thoughts.
You can make a posting here…
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P.S. I understand how emotionally attached people are
to their pets- I lost my own dog to cancer.
BUT – when the time comes, will you make the right
decision for your pet?
Feel free to comment – click ‘Comments’ below.
It’s Your Pet…Heal Them At Home!
Best Wishes,
Dr Andrew Jones, DVM
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Topics: Blogroll, Cat Health, Dog Health, Pet health | 104 Comments »
June 25th, 2008 at 8:31 am
Dr. Jones:
It hard for people to do the right things sometime but you’re in a position where professional decisions are not always going to be popular.
I am sure no one that reads your posts is going to call you a “murderer”. I don’t know you personally but you would surely be my dogs’ best friend.
June 25th, 2008 at 8:33 am
I would appreciate a vet like you. Mine made me feel quilty about having made the decision to put her down. He kept wanting to try more meds. I live with her 24/7 and I know how bad she was feeling and didn’t want her to suffer any longer. I had already put almost fifty thousand into her, so it wasn’t that I wasn’t willing to spend the money. It was seeing her in pain that wanted me to do the best for her. Do I miss her? Daily, and it is still hard when I think of having to have made that decision.
June 25th, 2008 at 8:35 am
What a horrid thing for someone to say. I have had companions all my life, and I think that people have to come to the realisation that there is a time when the animal’s welfare is foremost. To postpone the inevitable is to whose benefit?
June 25th, 2008 at 8:57 am
Oh, I sure can understand both sides of this situation.I don’t think I could take my chihuahua in to be euthanized.My chihuahua,Casey,is more like a child to me than a dog or pet.He is part of my family and makes my life happy and compete.I can’t imagine my life without him.But, God forbid,he does get critically ill, I think I would prefer him to be euthanized than go through terrible pain.He can’t enjoy life if he is that ill.BUT, I would get a trusting and caring friend to take him inside the hospital for me because I could NOT do it.With the situation this other person was in, he/she brought the animal hoping to make it all better and never dreamed their family member would need to euthanized.I can understand BOTH sides to this situation very well.But ,NO, I would not call you a murderer.You were doing what you think was best for the animal.I think in the long run, this person will end up thanking you after he/she gets over the loss of the beloved family member.
June 25th, 2008 at 8:59 am
Dr. Jones,
This guy is the same one that would keep his mother on life support til she rots because he can’t put another person/animal’s needs above his inability to deal with loss.
Perhaps a deep heart to heart talk with him re the dog’s perspective??? Might help him see the pain the dogs is suffering….
Having had several animals in that situation I appreciate the pain involved but you gotta step up to the plate and do the right thing. You take the responsibility of providing them a GOOD LIFE when you take them in….and all that entails.
I will keep him in my thoughts.
Ellen
June 25th, 2008 at 9:05 am
This is the first time I’ve ever commented on your emails. But this one just got to me!
I thought once the SPCA took the dog, it would no longer be up to the X-owner what would happen to the dog? From what I read, this guy heartless, it is much more humane to put the dog out of it’s misery! As far as you being a murderer, PLEASE consider the source, the only way comments like that have any value, is if YOU give it value! In this case there is none.
I bought your very first e-book years ago, and My Poms (5) are all healthier thanks to the knowledge in this book. I would be lost without it, I refer to it all the time! Thanks again Dr. Jones, the worlds a better place because of you! CH
June 25th, 2008 at 9:10 am
How sad… I have had many dogs in my lifetime. It is always very sad and disconcerting to make the decision to put an animal to sleep. It appears this owner doesn’t want to accept the condition of his dog. He hasn’t come to terms with it yet… He lashed out at you… Don’t take it personally… I feel bad that the dog is suffering. You had I know that should not be happening…the owner??? I recently had to put my beloved pom to sleep (January). She had a terrible cough from collapsed trachea. I wanted to keep her as long as I could. On that Sunday morning, as she walked around her dog pen, with each step she would stop and raise her mouth ever so slightly to breath. I quickly got dressed and rushed her to the vets. She had cardiac arrest on the table… They were able to bring her back and stabilize her but with no guarantee… They took an x-ray and found her heart to be extremely enlarged and her lungs were full of fluid. I had the choice of trying to keep her alive (for maybe one more day), or to put her to sleep. As tough as it was, I chose the latter. It takes time to realize what is best for the pet, but when it comes time, I have learned to recognize that is more harmful to try to keep the pet alive than it is to put them to sleep. She went so peacefully. She was sedated already and really didn’t even know what was going on. I was the one who had the tough time… Her loss was devastating for my other pom. She mourned like I’ve never seen a dog mourn. I went to the MSPCA many, many times and finally found an adorable maltese. Now they are best of friends!
June 25th, 2008 at 9:11 am
A have had several animals needing to be euthanized over the years ~ medical reasons, mainly cancer ~ and my Vet was very gentle about things but the one thing he said that stuck with me was “are you waiting until YOU are comfortable with the decision ~ if so, think about how their quality of life has decreased. If you wait until YOU are ready to let go they will just suffer even more”. When one of my pets had a “good” day I would question if it was “time”… not weighing all the very bad days they were having. I am associated with rescue groups who sometimes save animals at all costs….but I believe there are times when we have to consider the quality of our pets life.
June 25th, 2008 at 9:14 am
to allow an animal to suffer is horrid, refusing to euthanize should be prosecutable as animal cruelty.
June 25th, 2008 at 9:23 am
I had to have my precious cat Euthanized 18months ago & it was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. I knew that she was getting old (15&1/2 years) & to keep her alive for myself was being cruel as she had suffered a heart attack & then a stroke so the life that she had led up until that time was gone. She had a good life & was dearly loved by myself, husband & 3 dogs so I consider it was the right thing to do for her as she could no longer stand or walk. We waited for 4 days to see if she would get any better & if there had been any hope for her I would not have done. Even though I know it was the right thing for her I can still see the look in her eyes as I nursed her while the vet gave her the needle. She was out of her pain in seconds so I have to believe I did the right thing for her. I still miss her so much & so does one dog in particular & I dread the thought that I may have to do this 3 more times but if nothing can be done for them when the time comes for them to join Pixie then I pray I am strong enough to do it & do not keep them alive for purely selfish reasons.
Regards,
Yvonne
June 25th, 2008 at 9:23 am
As a Veterinarian, you obviously have a great love of animals and it’s unfortunate that some pet owners fail to realize how it must break your heart to have to euthanize an animal even though it’s in the best interest of the animal. Your soul must grieve each and every time.
June 25th, 2008 at 9:28 am
A dog murderer? I think not!
Two years ago, we were in that position. Hindsight being 20/20, I do believe we may have kept our 12-year-old miniature poodle, Rusty, alive longer than most people would have, including our vet. He was an ‘only child’ and to give him up was more than we could bear. He was heavily medicated, had a ruptured heart valve, diabetes and went blind. We took him to an opthamologist who put implants in his eyes and restored his sight. He began to play again and was acting more like his old self.
Then, one day I let him outside and he didn’t ask to come back in so when I went to see where he was, there he was lying on the deck having a seizure. We rushed him to the vet, he spent a night in emergency, and then back to our vet. Every time they unhooked the intravenous, he went into another seizure. Still, we were hesitant to make the final call. Our vet had, in the meantime, booked us in London, Ontario for an MRI. We never went. Suddenly, it was like we were hit over the head with a sledge hammer. We knew it was ‘game over’ for our beloved boy. We made the call, and I held him in my arms and spoke to him while the vet injected his intravenous tube. He was gone in an instant. I will NEVER forget that day. Many times I second guess myself……did we keep him alive too long? I don’t know.
For sure, when we made the final decision, we knew it was the right one. The last thing he tried to do was to sit up in his cage at the vet’s and try to come to me, but he couldn’t. He just fell over and I suddenly had a twinge of guilt. Did I try too long to hold onto him? I called the vet to come and do the injection. I stayed with him for a long time afterwards.
We had him cremated and we bought a new wall unit with a special place for his cremated remains. So, in a sense, he is still here. We could not bear to put him in the ground. I have a shelf where I put his favourite toy, his collar, tags, pictures, some greenery, etc. and still find myself talking to him at times.
Now, you will think, this has to be the nutcase of all nutcases, but the bond between ourselves and our best friend is indelible, and no matter what people may say or think, that’s just the way it is.
There comes a time when it is more cruel to keep them alive, than to kindly and humanely let them go, even if we have to help nature take its course.
The person who insulted you that way sounds like an irresponsible person who should not have pets.
We learned a lot from Rusty, and we will be in this position again, because we will never be without dogs. Now we get them from rescue shelters and we take the ones that no one else would want. We just adopted a 14 year old bichon, but now we are more prepared to deal with this situation. Who am I trying to fool? You are never prepared for this when you have such an attachment to them, but I feel we have lived and learned through it all.
Andrew, you are a very kind, caring and compassionate person, so don’t let this comment get to you. Keep up the good work!
Carol Johnston, Kitchener, Ontario
June 25th, 2008 at 9:31 am
We had our Sheltie for 17 years before finally having her “put to sleep”. I just couldn’t bring myself to do it before that and have regretted it ever since. She couldn’t see, couldn’t do the stairs, couldn’t stand up to eat. When we picked her up it hurt her. When we finally took her to the vet he looked at her and said “she’s in a very bad way”, which made me feel worse. it was hard but it would have been a kindness to have made the decision a year earlier. I wouldn’t want to suffer the way she did.
June 25th, 2008 at 9:32 am
You did the right thing and that owner was wrong.
June 25th, 2008 at 9:34 am
I would never let any animal suffer in pain and nothing more could be done. I have a dog that is turning 20 years old. she is not in any pain as of yet. The vet said she has some good quality life left, perhaps she will pass in her sleep i hope, but if not when the time comes i will do the right thing. Roxanne
June 25th, 2008 at 10:01 am
I went through this last summer. My blue heeler had been suffering with arthritis and knee problems for quite a while. I had resigned myself to the fact that I was going to have to have her put down due to the fact that she could barely walk and sometimes couldn’t get up without assistance. I took her into the vet and he actually talked me into waiting and trying out some medications that he had. The medicines did seem to help, but they only prolonged her life by a couple of months. I had to have her put down and it was one of the hardest things I have ever done…however, it was the best thing for her. I could see it in her eyes. She couldn’t get up, she was defecating on herself and her eyes were just lifeless. Even though the vet warned me that it would be quick, I was taken aback at just how quick it was. It hurt, but at least now I know she isn’t in pain any more…she was 13 years old.
June 25th, 2008 at 10:04 am
You were a dog savior – that dog needed you and in time hopefully the owner will figure that out. My family also lost our 8 year old yellow lab to cancer. We did the humane thing before he suffered alot. We still miss him but there was no other choice. God Bless you for helping the animals!
June 25th, 2008 at 10:13 am
The older i get, the angrier i get at people like this, so called “dog lover.” They are the most selfish, inconsiderate, self centered people on the planet. I worked for a veterinarian for 8 years & i had to quit because i had a hard time keeping my mouth shut when idiots like you described came in with their 20 year old dog in kidney failure, not able to control his bodily functions, & say stuff like.. “just give him some medicine, he’s got another 5 good years left in him. He’s not suffering.” I just want to slap em all… You doc, did the only thing someone who’s not selfish, inconsiderate, or self centered would do in that situation. You ended the suffering of one suffering. “Dog Murderer”.. What a crock! If you had not put him to sleep, it would have been more like “Dog Torturing”.. Anyone who’s read your newsletters, knows where your heart is.. God Bless you & your staff…
June 25th, 2008 at 10:23 am
Hi Dr. Jones,
Only one thing to say about this story:
***YOU CAN NOT GIVE SIGHT TO THE BLIND***
If u Love UR Dog..He is with U and not the SPCA.
We have set up a protocall for our dogs in the past and now…
If your dog can not eat, drink, poop or pee ..maybe ur pets day has come
Quality!!! not quantity…
Hope UR Day will B OKAY
Patricia
June 25th, 2008 at 10:29 am
It sounds like you were put thru the wringer on this one. On the one hand, I can understand the owner’s perspective, as I do believe in miracles. On the other hand, I wouldn’t have wanted to see the animal suffer, either. I’m sorry you found yourself in that position, and that the o9wner wasn’t more considerate of your emotions.
June 25th, 2008 at 10:30 am
Dog murder no honest yes. Unfortunately the owner was speaking out of his grief and not able to make the best choice for the dog. To put a loved one down is the last gift of kindness you can do for your pet no matter how hard it is. I have had to do it a couple of times. The only thing that helped was time and the kindness of the vet who hand wrote me a sympathy card and sent the following poem.
Just this side of heaven lies the Rainbow Bridge.
When a beloved pet dies, it goes to the Rainbow Bridge. It makes friends with other animals and frolics over rolling hills and peaceful lush meadows of green. They are as healthy and playful as we remember then in days gone by.
Together, the animals chase and play, but the comes when a pet will suddenly stop and look in the distance…
bright eyes intent,eager bidy qyuverubg. Suddenly
recognizing you, your pet bounds quickly across the green fields and into your embrace. You celebrate in joyous reunion. You will never again separate.
Happy tears and kisses are warm and plentiful,
your hands caress the face you missed. You look into the loving eyes of your pet and know that you never really parted. You realize that though out of sight your love had been remembered.
You cross the Rainbow Bridge Together.
June 25th, 2008 at 10:34 am
I believe you did the right thing. If an animal is only going to get worse and suffer needlessly it is the kindest thing to do for them. In fact, I think people should have the same option. I know if I were in the same position I would choose to be released from my suffering.
June 25th, 2008 at 10:35 am
How awful! Some people are just filled with pure ignorance. If their dog had to be taken by the SPCA, was suffering horribly then he was lashing out at you-it seems his guilt or denial or fear is showing. As a vet, you are dedicated to making the lives of animals better. I know you have helped me be a better dachshund guardian with your advice. Specifically, when our beloved 15 year old mini wire dachshund was very ill and our options were so limited and nothing was making her any better, we knew she was suffering. I came home from the emergency vet and read the list you made about items to consider when euthanizing a cherished furry family member. The decision was agonizing, but I know we made the right call and ended her suffering. I suppose that some people would call us dog murderers, but two vets concurred with our decision and she met all the criterion on your list. We helped end her suffering and your checklist made us feel more secure about a sad, terrible choice we were forced to make. It was not about us, it was about our precious dachsie and ending her suffering when nothing else could be done for her. It was a final and loving act that was filled with tender compassion. As a vet, you are in a particularly knowledgeable place to know how much an animal is suffering with little hope of getting better. If you can end that suffering, then you are kind and compassionate-NOT a dog murderer. The man that called you a dog murderer was actually the one that killed his dog by forcing a regulatory agency to take the dog and not seeking medical attention when there was something that could have been done other than euthanasia. Ask yourself, if your darling Lewis was in the same situation, would you have recommended euthanasia? If the answer is yes, then you know you made the right and best decision for that poor suffering animal. Don’t let human ignorance deter you from what you know is best for one of your patients.
June 25th, 2008 at 10:41 am
You are not a dog murderer. Why some people think all living things should should have to die painfully or uncomfortably is just odd to me. We don’t let horses suffer when they break a leg. You’re alright in my book doc!
June 25th, 2008 at 10:51 am
I am so sorry you had to do that unpleasant task but it was for the dogs sake. If I were in that situation, I would want someone to do it for me.
June 25th, 2008 at 10:53 am
I was told the greatest thing you can do for you pet is give it peace at thye end. I had to make that decision, hard as it was for my 15 year old cat. She had tumors, I had them removed, and 1 was cancer, it was in her belly. She lived 3 weeks, then stopped eating and stopped being herself. I wanted her with me but I made a promise to her that she wouldn’t suffer needlessly at my hands and that I would put my own selfishness aside to do what was in her best interest. It was the hardest thing I have ever done,
June 25th, 2008 at 10:56 am
I believe that since we are able to make that decision, as a guardian, we should help our “baby” make the transition. I don’t believe in allowing a “baby” to suffer until his/her last breath. There are some people that don’t believe we have a right to take a life – but yet, they still might eat cows, chickens, turkeys, etc., so that does not make any sense to me.
Be a compassionate animal guardian and love them enough to make that decision.
June 25th, 2008 at 10:59 am
My take on this person who would rather let their dog die a long, painful death is that they are an emotionally immature person who is more concerned with their own feelings than with their responsibility to the dog. I feel badly for this person that they don’t get their role in the relationship, but I feel worse for the dog because if it’s always about the person, it’s probably always been about the person. A sad way for such a loving soul to live, and a bad way for the dog to pass on to a better life. I have been there, and yes, it hurts. A LOT. But I recognize that the relationship between a dog and human is fluid. We are partners, they are our protectors, and we are theirs. When that time comes, we as humans have to put the dog’s best interests first and let them go when they are ready to.
June 25th, 2008 at 11:00 am
it’s one of the hardest decisions to make, but if the pet has no chance for recovery and in a condition of pain where the quality of life has been reduced to suffering, then you do it out of love. that said, i think it’s a crime that in your time of grief when we are already dealing with feelings of guilt over making this decision, vets will charge $100 to $300 dollars for the service, and even more if you want to have them do it at your home. i make maybe $1000/month and for me that is a fortune. there should be a low cost option like there are for spay/neuter clinics or i should have the freedom to purchase the appropriate drugs and administer myself. letting your loved one go and relieving him/her from her suffering should not be hampered by an industry looking to exploit a situation and squeeze out a profit from the pet owner’s grief. that is unconscionable.
June 25th, 2008 at 11:00 am
Hi, Dr. Jones! This is such a delicate subject for people. It’s is a very difficult decision either way one chooses. Here is what I’ve come to believe. From the widest perspective it would appear that there is no right and wrong. One person’s right is another person’s wrong and it all depends on where you stand on the continuum of this spectrum we use to measure our actions. You might find this totally bizarre however I wanted to share with you my understanding of it all because it has helped me so much in letting go of a lot of heartache as I look on and see with my limited eyes, what appears to be abuse, neglect, even atrocities. I believe that all happens as it does for our highest learning and personal growth. In the instance with the dog and owner you speak of, the woman is right AND you are right, depending on where you stand. And the best is to feel compassion for one another and know that both your hearts are in a good place. And at the end of the day, the dog will die when he is ready. If he had help, it may have been better for him, causing less suffering, or maybe not. None of us really know for sure. We do not know the lessons this dog may be bringing it’s master or others. We know so very little. I cry when I see what I deem as abuse. I have seen horrendous acts of violence and murder in foreign countries and used to become so angry and indignant at their lack of love and compassion. Now I see that their actions present ME with the opportunity to feel and demonstrate the compassion that I AM capable of. For me to choose a different response, rather than add to the chaos with my resentments. One that is most healing and raises the vibration around the circumstance. Ever walk into a room and come across a person who is incredibly bubbly and positive? And just by being in their presence you feel uplifted and good all over? Energy can build or destroy. I have come to know that only way to change anything (creating lasting change) is to change our own responses…trying to change another, or struggle against circumstances, is an uphill battle. It has to be an inside job first, and then eventually the outer world WILL change as a result. I realize that they, who inflict harm, do not know what they do. They wear blinders and believe that they are good people, just as we believe that we are good people. They are not conscious enough in their stage of development to know they bring harm. And I now bless them ALL, both the abuser and the one being abused. As long as we fight against anything, we will continue to attract friction…because like attracts like. Same with focusing on our government’s actions. What we focus on expands. So rather than spend our energy on what is, it is highly beneficial and even magical, to focus on what we imagine with our inner vision. This is how we change what we see in the outer world. I know healers who heal the impossible through this method of transforming energies, resulting in
)
“conscious” manifestation. We humans have the ability to move and transform the energy around us. It is very exciting. In my humble opinion, the only way to handle all we see that we find offensive is to bless it (this is a very powerful technique) as this stops the energy going towards whatever is not working well. And then once we have blessed and accepted what is, rather than fight against it(a war on anything creates more of the same) next we use our incredible passion and energy to focus simply and intently on the world we want. To focus on the situation as we’d like it to be. Without any anger, frustration, defensiveness or need to be right. We can either be right or have peace. We can’t have both. Because there will always be someone willing to argue their point. And this is unfortunately a no-win situation. Even when we think we have won, the energy drain is never worth it. Sometimes I forget to choose the way of the peaceful warrior and need to lead myself gently back to my centre, and that’s ok. I’m only human as we all are. And what I share with you in this e-mail has been the best tool I have found in my life. I do not focus on what I see in front of my eyes. Instead I focus my complete attention on what I would rather experience, with love and
peace and enthusiasm (enthusiasm is the catalyst that brings it all about)…as if it’s already happened. And if enough of us did this,
“collectively”, our world could transform almost in an instant. Once we reach the tipping point, where enough of us are flowing with the stream of positive, powerful intent, rather than struggling against what is, suddenly the world’s population as a whole, will make a wonderful, massive leap in consciousness and wiser choices, caring compassion, and a healed planet will be the result. Do you know the 100th Monkey principle? It really works this way! Wild and fascinating!
Anyway, I wanted to share this with you, Andrew, because I too have such a love for animals, as do you (as does the owner of the dog you mentioned in your e-mail). We all feel great love…only in different ways. It would be possibly very healing for you both if you decided to choose the most peaceful path. The one who does so is the most powerful of all. That is why it says in the bible that the meek will inherit the earth. It is the one who is unaffected by his ego that creates an inner power that is unshakable. It gets easier with practice…and before long the triggers that cause discomfort simply melt away. And then we can handle any negative comment that comes our way without any reaction whatsoever. Do consider trying it. You might be pleasantly surprised by the power and grace this gives you. You can go to the person and say, I can completely understand why you referred to me as a murderer. From your position, it is unthinkable to put the dog to sleep. It must be very, VERY difficult for you. I know you love your dog. And I admire your protectiveness and your strong convictions. I’m sorry my suggestion caused you pain. It was not my intention. And even though my choices are different than yours, I hope that we can at least agree that we both share a great love for animals and are only doing the best we can, each in our own way. I send your animal love and I pray that you will feel peace, knowing you are making the right choice for you. If you handle people who are angry and confused, in such a way, you get to see their hearts soften and it is such a beautiful gift that you can freely give. You rise above the event and you bring peace to it. You have such a big heart, Andrew. I see that from your newletters. I hope this helps you as it has helped me…tremendously. Love and blessings, Lise.
June 25th, 2008 at 11:01 am
Oh how sad!
This has to be the most difficult decision for a pet owner!
Today, I am having a Vet come to my home~my 18 year old dog will be euthanized, here, where she is the most comfortable. Thankfully, he takes care of all the arrangements. He has been helping with my decision, as she had some seizures about a month ago and now has difficulty breathing. Found out when I stayed home with her the seizures stopped. But she has just went downhill so fast~now its time~~I do not want my girl to suffer. She helped me care for my Dad, and then my son, who was disabled for over 5 years~what joy we have all had from her, and now its time for a well deserved rest. May you rest in peace Toto! Oh how we will miss you! sure wish I could figure out how to read the posts from others~~
June 25th, 2008 at 11:13 am
I will never let a friend suffer. I live by these commandments. You did the right thing, the “owner” considered that poor suffering being an object, was not the caretaker of a life friend.
A Pet’s Ten Commandments:
1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.
2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.
3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.
4. Don’t be angry with me for long and don’t lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainments, but I have only
you.
5. Talk to me. Even if I don’t understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.
6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.
7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite you.
8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I’m not getting the right
food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.
9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.
10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can’t bear to watch. Don’t make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.
June 25th, 2008 at 11:15 am
Dear Dr. Jones,
I’m very sorry to hear that. I’ve been reading your newsletters, etc. for a long time now and I’ve seen that you want nothing but the best for our pets. You’ve taken the time out of your busy schedule to educate those(for free)who want to provide a healthier lifestyle for our animals and that is very much appreciated!
I don’t have the full details of the story and I’m sure everyone has “their side” but as far as being a dog murderer….that is preposterous. You’ve only proved over time that you would do just about anything to save our beloved pets. I’m sorry you had to be subjected to that. Bottom line is…IF this dog was truly suffering and death was immanent than this owner was being selfish..plain and simple. They put their needs first.
I was faced with a situation years ago when my dog came down with parvo. He was very sick (ICU for a week)and some $3000 later I was told I should just let him die. Strange thing is I took him out of this terrible smelly quarantine cage where no one paid him any attention….
The Vet laughed at me when I told him what I was going to try, stating that they’d given him “the best of veterinary medicine possible” and no herbal treatments were going to bring him around”. I got him home, babied him, hand fed him rice water, held him, gave him herbal supplements and what do you know in two days he was on the mend.
It took awhile and it wasn’t easy but there was still an energy there and a look in his eyes of survival you know? “Buddy” is 8 years old today and going strong! So, I have to ask was I being selfish at the time? The difference is, had I gotten him home and there was no improvement with my trying my “home remedies” then I would have had him put to sleep. I guess the question is, “how long do we let them suffer until it’s time to say that nothing is working and let them go”?
Suffering is a terrible, terrible thing and no person nor animal should have to endure that based on someone else’s “needs”. I’m sure this person dearly loves their dog and was just letting their emotions get the best of them and lashed out at you. Knowing your views over this last year, I can say that. I can NOT say that for many vets that I’ve taken my dogs to in the past however.
It’s sort of hard to take issue with this person not knowing the entire story because as I said, there are many organizations/vets out there who are too quick to euthanize and animal. I don’t believe you to be one of those people. So all I can say is I hope you have a better day today. Thanks again for all you do!
June 25th, 2008 at 11:24 am
It’s not murder if you can ease their suffering and pain. I put my dog down on Thursday, he was dying from cancer (lymphoma) his lungs were filled with tumors and he was slowly suffocating as they grew larger and larger. How could I watch my friend suffocate to death when I had it in my power to do something to ease his pain? I stayed with him to the end and I’m glad I did it. Don’t get me wrong, I cry about it still, and I’ll miss him forever. But out of love and respect for him and his well being there was no alternative as far as I could see. Watching something suffering and dying in pain, that’s just plain selfish.
June 25th, 2008 at 11:30 am
Hi Dr. Jones,
I am sorry that someone thought it was better for a pet to suffer than to put them to sleep humainly. It is a very hard thing to do, but if your pet is in pain, why would you want them to suffer.
I love my dogs like they were my kids, always have always will. And when they got sick I did everything I could to get them better. But there comes a point when making them go on becomes more about what you want than what is best for them.
I have been blessed with great Vets that treat my dogs like they are my kids because they know how much they mean to me. I have been using them since 1983. They are like family and my kids adore them. They only euthanize as a very last resort, when everything else has been tried. I have always been with my kids when they are put to sleep, as well as my Vet staying with us. It’s hard, very hard, and I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. But it is much more loving to hold them while they go to sleep than to watch them suffer with every breath they take or move they make. There comes a time that you have to do what is right for the pet you say you love. Do you ever get over it? Probably not, I will always remember how hard it was each time and how much I miss them every day, but I know that they did not have to suffer for my sake. I pray I never have to make that decision again, but as long as I take the responsibility of having a pet, I take that risk of having to make that decision again.
So do I think you murdered the dog? No
Do I think the owner was a bad person? No, just to weak to do the right thing. You actually did them a favor. I can’t imagine it feels real good to know that your beloved pet is suffering.
It’s tuff anyway you go,
Kathy
June 25th, 2008 at 11:43 am
What a hard decision that must’ve been! The dog must’ve been in terrible condition if the SPCA was alerted.
The dog owner sounds very selfish. Even though he was in grief, it was totally wrong to call you a dog murderer! In fact, you made the right call.
I have friends who regretted not putting their cats to sleep sooner – it’s a very difficult decision to make, sometimes.
June 25th, 2008 at 11:51 am
Oh what a heartless human to have the nerve to call you a dog murderer.. We had to put our little girl down (maltese) after surgery found there was no curing her pain and misery and she peacefully looked up at us and calmly went to sleep.. I would bring my puppies to you anytime keep up the good work. And thanks for caring..
June 25th, 2008 at 11:59 am
Dear Dr Jones,
My parents refused to put their dog down when he had cancer and was wailing in pain – a needless week of agony for everyone. They just couldn’t bring themselves to have him put down. Though after the emotions died down they agreed that it would have been best. Seems to me the dog owner is taking out all his grief on you – you know the anger stage…
When my dog Cinders, a Wire Haired Doxy /Poo (17 years old!) no longer had the quality of life he had enjoyed, I did what I thought was the kind thing and put him down. The Vet was so wonderful and agreed that there was nothing that could be done for him. I held Cinders in my arms and he looked at me as I told him what would happen and that he wouldn’t have any pain any more and I swear he gave me a little doggie smile and licked my arm. The injection was quick and he just relaxed in my arms – peacefully, serenely. It was not easy and I still cry when I think about it. But I can only hope that my passing will be as comfortable.
I have been reading your newsletters for some time and believe that you are one of the most caring veterinary professionals I know. This is all a part of the circle of life. Think of all the precious lives you have saved and will save. Be of good cheer – This too shall pass…
June 25th, 2008 at 11:59 am
As many have said before,this is such a difficult situation. Torn between our emotions to hang on to an animal child and compassionatly letting them go in peace , is a torturous decission. My vet(now recently retired) once told my,then9 year old daughter,that we had to “love our animals enough to know when to let them go.” As hard as it is to let go,we must.For the uconditionallove they shoewed to us ,this is the right thing to do. The patient was running on pure love and desperation for the “one more day,can’t let go.”
Have been there so many times ,it’s heartbreaking.
Yet the right thing to do. You did the compassionate thing that you as a healer were in the right to do morally.The client will see this in the end and at some point be grateful for your action.
June 25th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
Saying goodbye to a beloved pet is never easy. I don’t think most people realize it is also very difficult for the Vet. No one wants to be responsible for ending a life but at least with our pets we have that option rather than letting them continue to suffer. I had made an appointment to take my wonderful Collie to our Vet for the last time, and as she was unable to come down the front stairs my husband had made a ramp for her in the back. On this day she came running around the house like a puppy. That just about broke my heart but still I knew it was time
and our Vet was kind and comforting even while she shared our pain.
June 25th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Hey Dr.Jones,
I just want to say it like it is,If the SPCA had to get involved I would say “Not a very responsible pet owner”. I have had many animals some from puppies and some adopted from shelters, some for years and some for months, some very healthy and some with lots of health issues,(English bulldogs).We as pet people need to do the right thing. Our pets can’t speak,we need to be ultra sensitive to their needs.Yes to Euthanize our beloved pets is not easy and yes sometimes we hang on to long but, You are not a murderer,you did the right thing. No pet should have to suffer for us!!!!! I feel very lucky that I do have a wonderful Vet. He practices eastern/western vet medicine, lots of natural and Herbal remedies.
Hang in there you are doing a great service to many.
Dorothy
June 25th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
Dr. Andrew,
The REAL dog murderers are in Korea — you know, the people who torture and kill dogs/cats for human consumption — and in the vivisection labs all over the world.
If you really love your pet friend, you will not let him or her die a lingering, suffering death. You will be a big enough person to put your pet before your own grief of having to say good-bye. I believe people owe this to their pets. They also owe it to their pets to stay by their side until the very end.
It is obvious from your e-mails/web sites how much you care about animals. Don’t let the ignorance of a few bring you doubt.
S.G.
June 25th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
Dog murderer you are not. I tell everyone I know about your sight. I have used the first aid a couple of times and my companions are much better for the knowledge you pass on to us. The pet’s ten commandments should be published in every vet’s office. You are a godsend for our little children (because that’s what they are). God bless and keep you well and secure in the knowledge that you are our little friends guardian angel. Thank for ever
June 25th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Dr. Jones; Hello. I think people speak out many times before they think of what they’re really saying when they are deeply hurt by someone or a pet passing awy. I was in nursing for many years & watched how people react to “death” of a loved one. AI saw many different emotions as well. I would think they were just trying to hold on to a part of their family, they couldn’t except letting go of it, & overlooked the pain this animal was in in the mean time. We had a dog for 14 years, he got crippled with pain, could hardly walk, I got pain releivers ffor him from the vet. But when he started not to eat as well, I feed him for a short time, then had to make that decission to put him down. It was very painful, but I couldn’t let an animal I loved so much suffer in pain. Many people are in denile about their pets true health. I think they were just lashing out because they couldn’t except their pets final passing. You did the right thing. You truely love animals, I wish you were my vet.
June 25th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
Death brings out the most emotions in people. Not too many people handle it well. Especially when faced with probably one of the hardest decisions to make. Dr. Andrew you were the scapegoat, don’t take it personally. If our culture embraced death the way we embrace birth we would not have as many people dying alone in nursing homes. Being brave enough to accept this stage of life and actually holding the space for your pet to make the transition can be beautiful. Its too bad this client had to make the experience traumatic.
June 25th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
Dear Doctor, What a challenge you have. To see the grief of the dogs best friend . And yet see as a Doctor that there is no hope. You give your best advise every day of your life, I am sure you hurt every time you need to put animal down. On the pet owners side I feel that he is so much in love with his pet , That he is feeling GUILT at having to be the one to say Yes Go Ahead ! Love with this Furry Human is so hard to give up! I am in hopes that he will return soon.
June 25th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Dear Doctor, What a challenge you have. To see the grief of the dogs best friend . And yet see as a Doctor that there is no hope. You give your best advise every day of your life, I am sure you hurt every time you need to put a animal down. On the pet owners side I feel that he is so much in love with his pet , That he is feeling GUILT at having to be the one to say Yes Go Ahead ! Love with this Furry Human is so hard to give up! I am in hopes that he will return soon.
June 25th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
I do not believe you are a murderer. I had a dog that at three got cancer and I had to make the decision to put him down as he was suffering. If you really love your dog you will not let them suffer
June 25th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
i had a rabbit that got cancer. as soon as he quit eating, i had him put down, because that was the best thing for him. i’ve seen many animals over the years who should have been euthanized, but their owners are/were too selfish or misinformed to do the right thing. i have not read the other comments, but i’m sure all of them agree with me, that you are not a dog murderer, but an animal lover who always tries to do what’s best for the animal, not the owner.
June 25th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
If we love our pets we all know it’s heartbreaking when the time comes to have them put to sleep. That’s the time we have to consider them before ourselves. It’s not fair to put them through further suffering we are just being selfish because we can’t bear them to go. There’s no easy way to say goodbye because they are one of the family and are missed just as much as any loved person. You sound a very kind vet – not all of them are animal lovers but I have listened to you long enough to know that you really care. Beryl in London
June 25th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
What a sad situation in so many ways. As hard as death is to deal with, I believe you did the right thing. The ability to prevent our pets from dying and slow and excruciating death is not murder… it is a gift.
I had a beautiful experience with my first dog, a Golden Retriever, when she was 10.5 years old. She was experiencing multiple system failures that weren’t responding to treatment, and she was in a lot of pain. My family and I were all there with her when she got euthanized and as the drugs started to take effect there was a moment when she was pain-free, she was herself again and with her family. I felt an overwhelming sense of peace from her at that moment and knew that she was ready to move on. It was a beautiful experience, and a positive one, considering the alternative. Death is a natural and inevitable part of life, especially when we have pets, and as painful as it is to accept this, it allows us to focus on what is best for our pets… which is what the privilege of pet ownership is all about.
June 25th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
Many pet owners are more concerned with their own needs than their pets. When an animal is clearly suffering without hope of returning to a satisfactorily pain free life it is the SELFLESS thing to have the pet euthanized. OF COURSE it isn’t easy, but it is the best for the animal.
You did the absolute right thing for this poor dog and the owner should be ashamed of himself for allowing an animal to suffer just so that he won’t have to bear the loss. Sorry if that sounds harsh but people who put their own feelings ahead of an animal’s is not the pet’s best friend. In those cases, you are!
June 25th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
When our two previous cocker spaniels got older and we became concerned about their quality of life we asked our Vet about this. She said that she would let us know when their health issues had made their lives merely existing. The final decision would be ours but we did not want our babies to suffer. The decision was very difficult but we did not want either of them to suffer unnecessarily. We did not consider our vet a murderer. The process was very difficult to go through but we were so glad we were there for both our dogs. Putting them out of their pain made us feel better and the way they looked at us we knew it was time. It was not easy but it was the right thing to do. Part of being a responsible pet owner is knowing what is best for them and sometimes death is the only answer.
June 25th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
Did you know Biblically, there is a difference between killing and murder. People often mistake
the 5th commandment as “Thou shall not KILL”
when infact this is not the correct translation.
In the original language (Hebrew) the true translation is “Thou shall not MURDER”.
What is the difference…Murder is foreplanned or
an attack against a personal (or perceived) enemy.
To take a life under certain circumstances (such as in declared war when you are fighting for to protect people) is in this category. We were given dominion over the creatures of the earth since Adam. This means we are their caretakers when needed and are to make decisions for them in their best interest.
When my precious baby suffered from cancer and so many other ailments, and we’d tried so much, but while he
perked up and loved us when we’d pet him, when no
one was near him, the sadness and pain were profoundly obvious (to me). Sadly they were not to my husband. The vets repeatedly said, “Well, you never know…some cats go into remission, adjust and can live reasonably well for anther 6 months or so. One who wanted to put him through a barage of tests, etc (to see how bad it was)I told flat out, “I think that’s CRUEL. WHY should he suffer for 6 months because we are too selfish to let him go? He gave us love for 17 years, it is now time for his pain to end and ours to begin (in grief). THAT is how you honor someone you LOVE” That guy wrote me off (but later left the state thankfully.
Watch out Arizona…he’s coming your way.
The cat was in pain, had lived most of his natural years (He was 18)and they admitted they
couldn’t DO anything regardless of how advanced his conditions were, they could only make him more comfortable than he might otherwise be.
But because of the vets out of 6 that we saw regularly, only TWO did not try to talk me into
further treatment and agreed that quality of life
should reign over quantity. Those FOUR however made life with my husband total havoc. He thought I was cruel to “give up on him” while I felt the same about making him live, esp. for the
hour or so he spent with the cat, much of that time, either being asleep or administering medications. Finally I told him, the NEXT time you travel (which he does frequently) and are gone more than one night, I’m putting the cat down. (And I MEANT it). He stopped traveling so much.
Thankfully about a month later the cat threw a clot and couldn’t get up. EVEN THEN the
vet tried to talk us into “caring for him for two weeks to see if he recovers because some cats do”
I didn’t care what my husband thought. I said,
He’s blind, he’s deaf, he as cancer, hyperthyroid and hypertension…WHAT does he have to look forward to…plus he’s 18! Absolutely NOT.
Even then she kept taking his limp nearly lifeless body and put him on the floor, trying to tet him to stand and with a cotton gauze wiped off a sore down to the bloody base to get a better look. (I had no choice, she refused to put him down unless I let her completely ascess his condition. The fact that I’d brought in a notebook filled with reports, bloodwork and bills from 5 other vets over an 8 month period
weren’t enough for her. (And it was ALL current.
He saw someone at least once every 3 weeks).
I am disgusted by it all.
I get *severe* migraines…won’t go into detail, but so bad that I lose my vision and if I can’t get relief in an hour, if there’d be a gun in our home, I would not be here writing…to think of making an animal suffer, when there is a better way is REPULSIVE to me.
I told my husband the same thing you need to tell that man….YOU are playing God with this animal’s life. Someday when you are old and in excruciating pain, do you want Him to be compassionate and take your life quickly, or let you linger for months just because others totally enjoy their 1/2 hour of attention with you, then go their merry way. All the while you will be enduring 24 hours of agony to give it to them.
Whatever your decision, you’d better think of that. Of course some people are just too selfish.
And he really LOVED that cat. He just blinded himself to the cats pain and saw any little purr when stroked as PROOF the cat wanted to live and
I was being a Dr. Kavorkian. God FORGIVE us all.
We WILL one day be accountable for the way we care for, treat and respect animals as well as humans. May God have mercy.
Annette
June 25th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
SUMMARY:
The long story above (which I wish I could edit because I see so many typos and run on sentencing)
shows how much WORSE making an animal linger is.
And the completely gut wrenching pain I had constantly seesawing between those who gave promise (when it didn’t match what I saw, but SO wanted to believe) and the true reality that it is KINDER and we have a RESPONSIBILITY to let go!
June 25th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
I think you did the right thing! I don’t believe in letting an animal suffer needlessly!
I had my “Midget” put down on my own birthday, because she was having one seizure after another. She had cancer and after 2 operations, it was not erradicated because it was in her bloodstream. I could only try to make her life as comfortable as possible, for the time left. It was one of the hardest things to do, but it was best for her.
That man, obviously, did not care about his dog, as proven by the fact that the SPCA had picked it up. If he loved it so much, why was it suffering?
I’ll bet that if he were sick, he would have gone to a doctor and gotten meds, both for the problem and for the pain, if he had any. Was there any indication that he had provided this for his pet? I’d guess not, since the SPCA had to step in!
June 25th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
Dear Dr. Andrew – I’ve always believed that suffering is worse than death. In some respects, animals with caring humans are more fortunate than we are, because societal and judicial beliefs have not caught up with the reality of living in a less-than-human state, and it’s illegal for a doctor to help a human die, even if that human is begging for relief from being trapped in a body which offers no relief from pain, and no hope of improvement.
Although the subject is sad, I had to smile at the comments from Carol Johnston, who thought she might be considered “the nut case of all nut cases.” Carol, I can go you one better: not only do I share all the feelings you described, but when I lost my first cat, who developed leukemia when he was 13+ years old (I do remember, Dr. Andrew, though I didn’t respond to that blog), I was in the process of divorce and selling our house, and couldn’t leave my precious one buried in a place I’d be leaving.
I just didn’t know what to do, and even considered taxidermy, just to keep him with me, but I was warned that it wouldn’t be the same cat I loved. Finally, after keeping him in the freezer for several weeks, I decided on cremation. I saved his collar, 2 whiskers, and a bit of fur, and was able to take his ashes wherever I moved. I also wrote a poem for him. That became my protocol for every dear one I’ve lost since then.
Two years after he died, I still cried every time I heard the word “Cinnamon,” which was the name of my sweet one. I woke up one morning and had an “aha” moment, as Oprah calls it. I went to superior court and had my name legally changed to Cinnamon (by chance, it was apropos, since I have auburn hair). I considered myself a living memorial to this cat I loved so much, and it did bring me some comfort. By the way, my mom was very understanding, and wasn’t offended by her eccentric daughter’s decision–she’s known me for a very long time. Oh, this isn’t relevant, butI was raised in Hamilton, and had cousins living in Kitchener. My mom still lives in Hamilton, along with my brother and his family. I moved to the US when I started college, but still kind of miss being there with my family.
Dr. Andrew, you made a choice based on compassion, and you shouldn’t allow someone’s anger/grief to weigh heavily on your heart. Many times over the years, I’ve had my vet actually thank me for “allowing him the privilege” of helping to bring peace to one of my cats or dogs. I’ve even had one vet who cried, along with the tech. and me, as she administered that final kindness.
You’re such a gentle soul, so forthright and open with your feelings; sometimes you seem like a little boy with a medical degree and a lot of knowledge (that’s a compliment, by the way–I love men who allow the little boy in them to show himself to the world). By now, you’ve read enough posts to be assured, I hope, that you’re the *good guy” in this sad picture.
I don’t happen to have my poem to Cinnamon on this computer, but I’m going to paste the poem I wrote to my darling Anthony when I had to let him go because his lungs were filled, and the vet said that every breath he took, felt like he was drowning.
Remembering Anthony
So today was my last day with you
…I expected it
or should I say, I feared it?
As often as I’ve been forced to face
a final day
an ultimate decision,
I can say only this: I’ve learned
when to let go–without a fight, perhaps,
But never without tears.
I remember your arrival here,
one of four gifts
borne to me by Trinka,
rescued (symbolically) just before
the fourth of July—and you
waited until the day after the fireworks
to explode into my heart.
You were never a lady’s cat those first years—
disdainful of allowing me even to touch you
while you wantonly showered attention
on any man who happened by
But I adored you nonetheless, and finally
you let me in
Oh, it was worth the wait: those head butts,
insistent caresses—the unexpected sound of
your pleasure when I didn’t know you were there:
you cat
But too soon (always too soon for me) it was time
and the Rainbow Bridge was ready for its newest
golden treasure
My precious Anthony, I’ll miss you, and I wish you
gentle passage, back to the place of all
beginnings.
I know we’ll be together again, but for now…
run with your sweet mom
And know that my sacrifice was made with love.
Cinnamon 8.1.07
June 25th, 2008 at 5:36 pm
You are definitely not a murderer. You obviously care more for the feelings and pain of the animal than the owner – which is sad.
I would have my furry family euthanized to spare them the pain – not keep them here to spare me the grief.
Human beings may want to rethink the idea of waiting until the “creator / universe / god” takes them naturally – and think on the suffering of others – human or animal.
June 25th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
I think he called you that because he did’nt want to take responsiblity for his dog or his death. Remember to tell your patients and their mothers and fathers just like human medical doctors you are a doctor not a god. Tell them imagine yourself in pain and how long would you like to linger in pain before deciding you could no longer take, in the sense of course I mean long term or short term no medical reseaon or cure for that patient. You must try to make them think of the long pain and suffering of any patient, animal or human. I would not wont to suffer and my family knows this. Hope this helps.
June 25th, 2008 at 7:19 pm
can’t add more to the above ! An sick/ injured animal in the wild would last… 2 minutes…
June 25th, 2008 at 7:32 pm
Anyone who could say such a thing to you is totally clueless. To release an animal in a gentle way from his or her suffering is a gift. I had to make that horrible decision to euthanize my 1 1/2 year old cat who was suffering from FIP. She told me when it was time to go and I honored her wishes even though it broke my heart. I was with her until the end and I know it was the right decision as it is far better then letting an animal suffer and die on his or her own. I had to make the same decision with my 2 year old chinchilla that year who had painful malocclusion. In both cases I tried everything to extend their quality of life and only after trying everything and consulting the experts in those fields did I have to make that final decision to end their suffering. You know when it’s time believe me.
June 25th, 2008 at 7:40 pm
Dog murderer?That is so insensitive.You were being compassionate in trying to spare this poor animal needless suffering.I have had to make this decision several times and always ask myself is the decision I have to make what is best for the animal or what will make me feel better.I love my animals dearly and know every minute with them is precious but when the time comes to let them go I will not allow them to suffer for my own selfishness.God Bless You!!!
June 25th, 2008 at 7:47 pm
All loving animal guardians come to the point of making the hardest but most loving decisions in the lives of their dogs or cats. I have done this twice and there are no words to describe the pain you go through. I said my babies told me when it was time, and I acted on their wishes. Animals who are close to death should be given that last measure of love and respect by those who love them best. The only way you can you can hear their requests is with an open heart. I have two dogs now that will someday, I hope very long from now, will ask for my help. The love I have for them will help me through. You are NOT a murderer.
June 25th, 2008 at 8:06 pm
no…you are not a murderer!! I have always had lots of dogs and have 8 now of which 7 of them are young…the last ones who all left here around 15 years of age lived a good life and when they got where they could no longer eat and walk,then I asked them were they ready for help and they will tell you when it`s time to go and not suffer! It`s the hardest thing in the world to let go of loving fur babies but it`s also cruel to make them suffer!!! I know you are not a murderer but I am quite sure that had to hurt like heck!!thank you for sharing so much with all of us!! God bless you!
June 25th, 2008 at 8:09 pm
I am so thankful for Veterinarians such as yourself, who has such a deep caring for all animals, and who has the ability to heal them, and yes, to stop the suffering when there is no hope. I love my little sweet three year old Yorkie, Lacie, so much, I am crying now, thinking of my life if I did not have her. I am comforted only by knowing I could not allow her to suffer if the time comes. Thank you for your compassion.
June 25th, 2008 at 8:59 pm
We have had to face the end with many of our four footed family over the years. We LOVED them enough to assist them out of bodies that no longer supported them. It is sad to see people who don’t want to realize what the “freedom call” can mean to the lovely spirit trapped inside a critically ill or injured body.
June 25th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
Dear Dr. Jones,
You are not a murderer! You were an Angel to help that dog ease from pain to peace.It’s very hard to make a decision to put an animal down,I had to trust my vet when my 8 month old puppy became brain dead,it all happened in a matter of hours,no reason,it just happened.I wanted to keep her alive,maybe she would wake up, but my vet explained that she was gone and it was the right thing to do.It was a very hard decision to make,but I don’t regret it,knowing that my vet would never have me put an animal down if there was the slimest chance for recovery.
June 25th, 2008 at 9:20 pm
Dear Dr. Jones,
What a mean thing to say to a person who loves animals and cares how their treated.
I had to put my beloved dog down too and it’s very hard but so isn’t watching your pet suffer and not be able to help them.
I also think that sometimes when people are hurting, they say mean thing, feeling they don’t know how to handle. Hopefully that’s what that was all about.
Your a good and wonderful person,
Darlene
June 25th, 2008 at 10:26 pm
I appreciate the knowledge for pet owners that you are providing us. I share with family and friends.
I think it would be valuable to counsel pet owners at such a difficult time. At the time it was apparent that our Blue Persian was starting to suffer from kidney failure I took her to our family vet. He asked if I wanted to be with her and I thought that was a horrible idea and left, tears in my eyes. Before I left the drive I felt so guilty for not holding Elizabeth Blue at this time. She gave my wife and I, our children and grandchildren such please I wish I had not been so selfish. Please everyone, support your pets at this time and you will never regret it.
Ken
June 25th, 2008 at 11:25 pm
I had a good friend at work whoes dog had been sick for seversl weeks, but this day I knew was different. She had to put her beloved soul mate down, that is what she called her, and she cried all day at work.she had her for 13 years and said it would just kill her to go home tonight and not have her meet her at the door. But she stayed with her through the whole thing and said she looked at her with her bright eyes as to say thank you. she knew she was suffering and just couldn’t watch it any more. The vet put her in the back of the car and she took her to a funeral home we have in the area that takes care of pets. They gave her a beautiful earn with her name on it and a concert paw print with her name on it. She is so happy that she had it done, then today she got a beautiful sympathy cars from her vet. She knows now that she did the right thing and it sure wasn’t murder, it was love. Sometime we do things for selfish reasons, like not giving them up because it will hurt us, not thinking about the hurt they are going thru. they both are at peace now. I wish you could be my vet. You are a loving caring person, not a murder.
June 25th, 2008 at 11:28 pm
Dear Dr. Jones,
I would say you are a caring person. I have watched one of my dogs suffer. It was so hard to watch. That was the last pet I let suffer like that. You have to think of what is best for your pet. I understand how hard it is to put them to sleep. I have done that too. But watching my dog die, suffering for a two days was even harder.
June 25th, 2008 at 11:47 pm
My husband called me the same thing. Last summer I lost my Rexie to hemangeosarcoma – he died a horrible death in a critical care facility (away from home), suffocating on his own vomit. The oncologist led me to believe Rexie had a chance to live another 6 months with chemotherapy – so I chose to have him treated. This was the relapse – we had his original tumor and spleen removed 13 months prior at a different critical care facility – different specialist. (I went to the new place because our regular vet sent us there as an emergency when Rexie became so weak and his billyruben number was so high – it was an hour closer than the first place). This 2nd time it spread fast thru every organ, in addition to a large tumor where his spleen and the original tumor were removed. So exactly two weeks after Rexie died, my Cassie was diagnosed with hemangeosarcoma on her bladder at the same facility where Rexie died. I checked her out and took her to the other facility where Rexie had his surgery the year before and we had the tumor removed from her bladder. Cassie relapsed in only 2 months. Multiple tumors on her bladder, in her liver and other organs. This specialist said they couldn’t go back in and remove the tumors (my suggestion) as they’d just come back even faster, and chemo wasn’t an option – it wouldn’t help her. They said she had anywhere from a couple of days to a couple of weeks to live and that she could come home for that time. She was 85 lbs and couldn’t walk so I made a sling out of a beach towel to take her out to the bathroom – I’d hold her up and she’d move her legs. Her urine turned brown – what little there was, so we gave her sub-Q fluids every day. I never thought that she might be in terrible pain because no one ever said anything about it. They said she’d just get weaker from blood loss and just slip away. If I thought she was in pain, I would have ended it as soon as she came home with the local mobile vet. By about day 10 she stopped eating. Not that she wasn’t hungry – she was, she was starving herself. Food didn’t make her sick, she wanted to eat, but refused. Maybe it was painful when I took her out in the sling, or maybe she didn’t want to live just lying on her ortho bed all day – she was a lab who would swim and play ball endlessly when she was healthy. A couple of times those last days, she’d be so hungry she’d start to eat with gusto then abruptly stop and just look at us. It was like she was saying I don’t want to live like this – please help me. I was with her 24 hours a day taking care of her – staying up most nights with her, making her a zillion different foods trying the get her to eat or drink anything. My husband was at work all and had normal sleep hours so he didn’t see on that bed 24 hours a day unable to move – she couldn’t even reposition herself; I’d reposition her after taking her out in the sling. I know she was miserable, but never thought she might be in pain as well. Anyway, when she completely stopped eating, I told my husband I didn’t thing she wanted to live anymore – she was starving herself. He’d say she’s alert, knows what’s going on, we’re not killing her. We’d argue about this – I’d say she has a horrible life now, can’t move, and doesn’t want to live because she is refusing to eat. She would also breath hard – I thought it was because she was hot so I kept the air set on 68 degrees, however now I think she was probably in pain – the brown urine was probably painful like a bladder infection – only a million times worse. I can’t believe I didn’t think about that then – I never would have let her suffer like that. Well I told husband I was calling the mobile vet to come to the house and euthanize her. I was already destroyed losing Rexie and now losing Cassie. I was heartbroken to have to do this but I believed and still believe she didn’t want to live like that – plus in retrospect she was probably in terrible pain. He only saw her a couple of hours in the evening, so he didn’t see what her life was really like. Plus she’d cry when we’d have to stick her with the needle daily to give her the fluids. We were torturing her. I told him he was keeping her alive for him because he didn’t want to let her go – it wasn’t for her. So when I told him I was calling the mobile vet the next day he called me a murderer more than once that night and wouldn’t even look at me. I don’t think he had any idea how hard it was for me to see her suffering all day and all night every day and even harder to let her go. So that next day I did make the call and they did come to the house where she was able to die in her home on her own orthopedic bed with me on the floor next to her. She was very calm even though they muzzled her because she showed them some teeth when they came into the bedroom. But I was a murderer too and I’m sorry I didn’t do it sooner – for her sake.
June 25th, 2008 at 11:53 pm
I would like to comment on “the murderer” topic.
I can sympatize with the owner, but to start name calling & slandering people because of their grief is un called for.
I myself went through the death of 2 dogs both within 6 mths of each other.Old dogs syndrome for 1 & cancer in the second.
Both my babies were 15 1/2 & 14 yrs. old.
I was devastated with the news of loosing my second dog.After just going through trying to nurse my first dog. He was not in pain , just couldn’t walk striaght.So being told to put him to sleep, I just knew my dog & I couldn’t do it. I was told by the emerg vet that he would not live a week. I decided to let nature take it’s course with my second dog(rottie/bull mastiff).
He was a strong willed dog & deeply devoted to me.I got herbal meds for any pain (which he never demonstated ) like the vet said he would.He never gave up & as long as he didn’t give up, I couldn’t.
My family vet is old school & she said he was too determined to live & fight it and I would know when it was time to say it’s OK to go to eternal rest. That was what I did. He walked with me outside & played in the snow up to 3 days before he died. I worshipped him & he did me.
I enjoyed 6 months with him & was able to let him go.
So sometimes the dogs are very strong mined as my willy was. He was never in pain of any sort and I knew him. He was a big baby even when he stubbed his toe he limped & whined for days.
My dogs were like my kids & I would have not given up on my kids.
I love the articles I receive from Dr.Jones & even though I have no dogs now , I feel connected to them, becasue I read them & enjoyed them.
So that person was speaking out of deep grief, I’m sure.Not aimed at anyone in particular.
You(Dr Jones) just happened to be in the line of fire.
June 25th, 2008 at 11:56 pm
Twenty years ago today I took my dog to the vet to have her euthanized. At 14, she could no longer care for me, like dogs do, and she was very depressed. I held her head in my hands and told her that soon her pain would be over. She looked at me and trusted me to the end. I would have it no other way. She was there for me for 14 years and the least I could do was be with her as she ended her journey here. I think of her every day and my children, who never met her, know her very well from the stories they have heard about her (over and over).
I can’t imagine what you go through each time you must do your duty as a veterinarian. Please know that although I have a very wonderful vet for my dogs, you have saved my current dog, Maisey’s life with your recipe for dogs with allergies. She is a new dog with no more ear infections and no more antibiotics – and she LOVES fish, vegies and rice!
We must all take the good with the bad and learn and grow from it all. We should try to understand this person’s pain and not judge them. Take a deep breath and remember….this too shall pass. Hang in there!
Linda
June 26th, 2008 at 12:33 am
I think it is very selfish on the part of the owner. An owner who is ignorant to living and caring for a pet. The pet always comes first when the welfare of the pet is in question. As a responsible owner the toughest thing to do is letting your pet go. Never let them suffer in any way if it is inevitable and nothing else can be done. The kindest and the most loving thing to do is be with your pet and tell them you love them hold there head look into there eyes give them a kiss on the nose as they put them to sleep. So your loyal pet can look into your eyes one last time and you both say i love you, see you over the rainbow.
June 26th, 2008 at 12:43 am
You know, rereading your story, I thought once the SPCA stepped in either THEY or the vet was to make the decision about the animals care. If the owner was capable of properly caring for the animal, they would not have been able to apprehend it in the 1st place.
Are things different in Canada?
June 26th, 2008 at 1:22 am
Dear Andrew,
I do understand this must be an incredibly painful time for this individual. The loss of a beloved four-legged companion is devastating. While I do not wish to ever see one of my babies suffer, I would choose to administer pain medication over putting him/her to sleep. We do not euthanize our children when they are gravely ill and I suspect this person may have experienced similar sentiments when he was faced with this situation. I highly doubt he wanted his precious baby to suffer; grief can make our decisions difficult. Please express sympathies to this person. He needs our empathy, not indignation. Most sincerely, Lois Steven
June 26th, 2008 at 7:22 am
Dear Dr. Jones
I feel sorry for this person as they are having problems with their emotions they were putting themselves before the welfare of their beloved pet. You certainly are not a murderer. I have had my two beautiful german shepherds euthanized in the past year one in July 07 and the second in Feb 08, it broke my heart to have to part with them but I would not allow them live on in pain. It was my final act of love for them. I still miss them sorely eventhough I have a beautiful loving Rottweiller pup.
I enjoy you letters keep up the good work.
Maria
Maria
June 26th, 2008 at 9:36 am
Dr Jones, I am quite certain that no one here would EVER consider you a ‘dog murderer’, far from it!! Most of us who share our lives with a pet will be faced with this most difficult of decisions at some point. Some folks though just can’t seem to bring themselves to ‘let go’ and so end up harming, rather than helping, a suffering pet.
I really don’t think though that their intention is to cause their pet to suffer. Perhaps it’s more a case of a personal inability, maybe based on a life filled with loss, to deal with such an emotional blow in a rational manner and do what is best for their pet rather then for themselves.
I’m not saying this is right, it isn’t in my view…a fellow creature is suffering and we, as higher beings, owe it to them to provide a humane release when we have the ability to do so and when that is the best avenue for that particular situation and animal.
Some would say such people are selfish and that may well be true, however, thankfully we do have
agencies like the ASPCA who are prepared to intervene with emotion removed and do what is best for the pet when the owner either cannot, or will not.
June 26th, 2008 at 9:43 am
Hi Andrew
My cat Alfie died last year. He was 17-1/2. He was my little soulmate and nobody, human or otherwise, can make my heart glow like he did. He had diabetes and heart problems brought on by the diabetes. Even up to a day or so before he died he was wanting to be part of the action. A vet had recommended that I put him down but I couldn’t. I just couldn’t end his life. I had to do that in 2002 with Puddy because he had Squamous Carcinoma and it was dreadful. For Puddy, I had the vet come to my home. However, I just couldn’t do it to Alfie. He passed away in my living room surrounded by my other cats. Alfie was the king and, I believe, that’s where he wanted to be, amongst his friends and in his home.
I empathise totally with the dog’s owner and yourself. It is such a difficult decision to make.
The SPCA has become somewhat of a police force that oversteps their original mandate. They should not have that power to treat anybody the way they do.
June 26th, 2008 at 9:56 am
I recently had to euthanize my dog who had been with me for over 10 years. It was one of the most painful things I’ve ever done in my 53 years. She was almost 17 years old.
I’m glad Dr. Jones is a distinct presence on the web, and represents a positive force for compassion, care and education concerning the pets that we all love so much.
June 26th, 2008 at 9:59 am
Dr. Jones, please don’t let this get you down. You know you did the right thing. It’s too bad it falls on your shoulders. I believe some people would rather not pay vet bills, hoping things will resolve themselves. We live in the country, where many things are “looked after” without the help of a kind soul like yourself.
June 26th, 2008 at 10:01 am
One of the hardest things to do is put one of your animals to sleep. They become one of the family, and are treasured. They make you feel great when you are feeling down and I cannot even imagine not having a pet of some kind. When they become sick though, you do everything you can to save them. If they can be saved, even for a while longer, that’s great, but sometimes they just cannot hang on any longer and I myself could not stand to see my animal suffer very long. Sometimes you have to intervene and do something to help them, even if it’s putting them to sleep. It is a heartbreaking thing to have to do. You die a little too. You seem like a very caring vet, and I say we need more vets like you. Sincerely, Eileen
June 26th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
I had a beautiful 1/2 Manx cat that I dearly loved. He was 16 yrs old and had grown up with my children. He had been diagnosed with cancer at age 14 and our vet kept him going for another two years. During those last few months he lost nearly half his body weight. He was so thin he would only let us pet him on top of the head. I guess it hurt everywhere else. He couldn’t keep anything down. My husband said I wasn’t doing Tucker any favors by keeping him alive when he was in pain. Our vet and his staff were wonderful. They let me stay with Tucker while he was put to sleep. Afterwards they sent our family a card saying our decsion was both loving and humane. Dr. H made it clear that it was our decision and he would continue to treat Tucker if that was what we wanted. He was also honest about Tucker being in pain and the cancer being advanced.
Tianne
June 26th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
Murderer? I think not!! It takes a very special person to love and care for any kind of animal. To be a Vet falls into that category. The kindest and most loving thing a person can do is to have their love go gently to sleep. I have had to deal with this now 3 times and soon will have another one to face. My babies have lasted 15-16 years and they have been wonderful. Of course my wonderful husband is the one that takes them in for their sleep. YES ITS VERY HARD. But I will NOT have my life long friend suffer in pain. So I will not be SELFISH and think of me. My babies will not suffer. Dr Andrew your awesome!!!
June 26th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
Dear Dr. Jones , I can relate to the emotional impact on one when their pet reaches their last leg in life. In past years I too have had to bring my pet[s] to the vet to be put to sleep [rest] for that last moment in their precious life. The emotional pain is beyond words,but to have an animal you love so much kept alive to suffer is as selfish as one can get.No,death is a fact of life and we should all deal with it in a more loving and compassionate way. No Dr. Jones you are not a murderer,you`re a human being dealing with life situations in a loving,caring,compassionate way. Have a great and happy day the rest of your life. Ron
June 26th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
Hi
My dogs are like my kids too, but when my Lakeland terrier Roxy got Liver cancer I was in denial about how unwell she was. Thanks to my husband who helped me through it and made me see sense as to how much she was suffering we had to put her to sleep. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life, but I don’t regret it as no-one should suffer in that way.
In fact, I just watched my father pass away in hospital about a year ago from lung cancer. His gasping for breath etc at the end was unbearable. I turned to my husband and said to him “they wouldn’t let a dog suffer like that, why aren’t they doing something to ease my dad’s last hours?”
It confirmed my decision to let Roxy sleep forever. Thanks to vets like yourself, that dog won’t suffer like my dad did.
Keep up the good work.
June 26th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
Wow! Almost 90 responses to this thread. I just have to add a couple of comments.
First I would like to comment on the owner of the dog you are accused of murdering.
The majority assumption seems to be that the man was unable to agree to euthanizing his dog because he loved it so much. I wonder how loved a sick dog is when he is wandering around alone and picked up by the SPCA? That doesn’t sound like a very loving owner to me.
I have two rescued dogs. A Shih Tsu, Harry, who the vets think is between 12 and 15 and a Lahsa Apso, Charmi, who is about 9.
When I got Harry, he had hardly any hair, was covered with yeast infection, and most of his front teeth had been pulled, or were worn down from chewing his chain.
He had no trust of humans and when the foster mom did her home visit with me, Harry would snarl and snap if I took even one step toward them.
It took a couple of months before he would come to me, (I had to go to him and he would grudgingly let me pick him up) and even longer before he would sit in my lap.
About four years ago he went blind in both eyes and he had surgery. He regained his sight and was a very busy healthy boy. Then both eyes failed and he was blind again. At the same time his hearing gradually failed in both ears. This plucky littled fellow — whom I don’t baby, and insist he try on his own — has an amazing ability to get around and is still able to find the spots where he jumps up onto the furniture, etc. When he knows we are going in the car or for a walk or he wants to play, he still bounces around like a puppy.
He has, however, become very dependent. He wants to be sitting or lying up close to me all the time. We now call him my “velcro” dog.
I know this is a long lead-in to my take on euthenasia of animals, but I am trying to put my opinion into some kind of context.
I am in stage 4 of breast cancer. I know Harry and I are heading toward the end of our lives at about the same pace.
I wish I could have the option of deciding when I have had enough and am ready to go. I of course won’t have that choice.
I believe when life becomes painful for Harry I will give him the gift I can’t have and that
is — an end to suffering and a peaceful death.
Joy
PoCo
June 26th, 2008 at 5:12 pm
Hi,
I had to have my first little Westie put to sleep as she had Cancer all through her chest, my Vet at that time said he could probably keep her going another week or so, but I could’nt let her suffer for our sake,I just could’nt let her suffer, though it’s a very hard decision.I’m so sorry you were called that.
Keep Helping Pet’s Please.
June 26th, 2008 at 9:22 pm
It’s very disheartening to hear that someone would call you a murderer, when all that you wanted to do was the right thing, release that poor animal from his suffering. I think it is a wonderful thing that we can help our animals in this way, and I often feel bad for humans who are forced into prolonged suffering with terminal diseases. I, too, hate the fact that so many perfectly healthy animals are put down, just because they do not have a home, and I’m looking forward to the day that this no longer happens. But in the case of animal that is very ill or badly injured, it is the right thing to do.
June 26th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
Hi Dr.
Not a single person, after reading your books, articles or mails..can consider you a “dog murderer”.
You are a caring, loving and compassionate person.
I just hope there would be more people like you.
Don’t feel discouraged. WE all love you!!!
June 27th, 2008 at 12:44 am
Hey Dr. Jones, Andrew, if I may, Buddy & I think you should have given the guy who was letting the poor dog suffer a shot of his own. That’s what should happen to anyone who would let an animal suffer for their own benefit, I have had to ease the suffering of my own beloved animal and I know how it feels, bu for the good of my dog I held his head as he drifted off & I felt hi relax, then I knew he was resting, out of pain & new I was to suffer a great heart ache, but knew HE was at rest now. How can someone be so cruel as to let this poor animal suffer and then call YOU a murderer. As I said before, they should be put down for being that selfish. NO DOC, YOU ARE AN ANGEL OF MERCY, NOT A MURDERER, DEFINATELY “NOT” A MURDERER. You just han in there, keep doing what YOU know best and don’t sweat the idiot!!! Were behind you all the way.–THANKS!!!!!
June 27th, 2008 at 12:53 am
Dr. Jones,
I truly believe that a person wouldn’t want to become a veternarian unless he/she loved animals and wanted to do what’s best for them. How anyone could accuse a vet of being a murderer is unfathomable to me. It is hard to let go of anyone that you love so much, but by putting their needs ahead of your own really does show how much you love them.
This is such a timely and emotional issue for our family. We made the decision June 16th to have our beloved 14-year old Shih Tzu, Max, euthanized. What made it even harder was that he never once complained about things that were certainly causing him pain so you almost thought that he was fine … almost. Bladder/kidney stone surgery last September, a hip socket that was virtually worn away, hypothyroidism, suspicion of Cushings disease, no eating for 5 days, liver malfunction and the beginning of jaundice the day we took him…it was the most humane thing we could think of to do for him even though it was extremely difficult for us.
Did I feel like a murderer? At first I did a little, as I watched him slip away.
Did I feel like I made the right decision for a lifetime spent loving our family and not asking for much in return? Yes, since I didn’t want him to suffer the pain that surely was forthwith.
Do I miss him every day? You bet I do.
June 27th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
Nothing has been more painful for me to have had to reach that decision to end my beloved pet’s suffering. I held my little poodle in my arms as the medication was administered. My tears falling on her tired little body. However, I was grateful to be able to give her peace and not try to hold on any longer for my own comfort.
Keep up the good work.
June 27th, 2008 at 7:19 pm
I sometimes wish my vet would tell me straight up what they would do in any given situation. I sometimes find it very hard to know what to do as I am not educated in the field. I do know when my guys are in pain. I know when they are not feeling well. I think you should be commended on your actions. Keep up the good work.
June 29th, 2008 at 6:27 pm
Making the decision is very hard. I should know as I had to let go of my pet of 10 years on the day before our B’Day. We shared it because I got her from the pound on my B-Day. She had bad breath and was having difficulty breathing. I took her in for her dental cleaning and discovered that her heart was almost double normal size and she had developed an infection. We did the medications and still she labored, vomited and had no energy. She started avoiding me and her belly started to swell (fluid couldn’t get past the heart). Letting her go was the last thing I wanted to do but I was being selfish. Would it have been easier if I could blame someone else for making the choice to have her put to sleep? She was 12 y.o. minus 1 day and I cried my eyes out but blame has no place in love and being loved. She was like a child to me and I still cry sometimes because I question if I did everything possible. Could I have prevented it. Blame is a vicious thing and I believe people strike out at others when they hurt the most and can not have what they want. Sometimes it is harder to be loving and do the right thing. Quality of life is an issue for all living things.
June 30th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
Dont second guess yourself. Your love and kindness of all animals is obvious. Put the situation behind you and know that you made a hard but necessary decision putting the need of the animal first. Caring wont always make you the most popular, thats the world we live in. God bless you.
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:45 pm
I thank you for being the compassionate doctor you are. It is not often one finds such a person.
You did the right thing although not everyone will agree with you. Stand strong in your beliefs and never let your great compassion go. I salute you, for you are a truly selfless man!
July 3rd, 2008 at 1:15 am
Just recently I had to have my forever puppy “Hagi” she was 21 years old Norwegian elkhound euthanized. I believe as parents to our pets that we are very emotional at that time and are not thinking clearly and speak without thinking. I myself critized the vet for just not caring enough to give her anything to make her walk again and feel better. However, that wasn’t the case. In the words of my nine daughter, I needed to let her go to God so that she would be well again. So I believe that you made the right decision and please do not second guess yourself.
You are a good doctor and sometimes making the right decisions is not easy and for that no one will pat you on your back.
May the God give peace.
Liz & Natalie
July 4th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
Hi Dr Andrew,
There are some arogant people out there, that haven’t got a clue when there beloved pet is seriously ill, they make the serious mistake of humonising them for some personal reason, which doesn’t do the animal any favours does it? I just recently lost my cat ‘Lucky’ age 14 to cancer, as much as I din’t want him to die, I knew in my heart of hearts he was suffering anyway and I couldn’t let him suffer anymore.
In my eyes, it is the best thing to do when an animal is clearly suffering. As much as we hate to depart from our loved pets, they don’t have a voice, so we have to go by our bond and instinct.
You ARE CLEARLY NOT A DOG MURDERER!!! You have your training and your gut instinct of the animal world, so you KNOW what’s RIGHT for the pet. You’re doing great, keep up with your mesages and with you caring heart and experienced mind.
Lynda, UK
July 9th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
How did the SPCA get involved? Was it lack of care by the individual who owned the dog? I have been in the situation of having to make that decision. It is very difficult but if the pet has been a part of your life for a while, you KNOW when they are no longer enjoying life. With my dog,(she had cancer) I simply took her for a last walk to all her favorite places. I slept (very little) with her beside me. And I promised her I would stay with her until the end. Thank goodness for my vet. She assured me we were doing the right thing and cried for my little girl right along with me. It is the wonderful vets of this world who make it possible to do the very best for our companions. Bless you Dr. Jones.
July 9th, 2008 at 7:25 pm
Dr. Jones, I have had to make this decision several times and it was never easy but I am glad we have te option to do so. To allow an animal to suffer when there is no good outcome is cruel. Recently our 12 year old golden was operated on to remove her spleen which she came through like a trooper, she was left with incontinence and seizures that became more and more frequent. They were controled with phenobarbital for a while but she was so confused after it broke my heart. One morning after non stop seizures we decided she had been through enough and I almost felt her saying It’s time Mom. I stayed with her , as I have always done, as she fell asleep peacefully in my arms. I have euthanized animals at a shelter I worked at and I know how hard it is for you to be refered to as a murderer. People do not realize how difficult it is to make such decisions and you just have to chalk it up to ignorance. They should walk a mile in your shoes.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
As pet lovers, I think you all will enjoy this. There is a new TV show called Greatest American Dog and it is too funny. You have to watch it on CBS on Thursday nights. It is about pet owners and their relationships with their dogs.
My personal favorite contestant is Elvis. You can watch clips of him from the show and from his Bark Mitzvah (yes, i said BARK mitzvah) on this site called TheDoctorsChannel.com. Just type Elvis in the search engine. It also has a fantastic vetrinary medicine section. It’s kind of like the YouTube for doctors. You may want to take a look on your lunch break today!
http://www.thedoctorschannel.com
March 27th, 2009 at 2:10 am
I am still crying over the loss of my little yorkie. I adopted a yorkie from the clinic I worked, I am a registered veterinary nurse. I had him for 3 1/2 yrs. His collapsed trachea became so severe one night, I personally euthanized him. This dog had been through so much, survived so much. I moved away from the city to give him clean air so he could breathe. I still feel like I should have done more, even though the specialists agreed that it was time. Ultimately, I can no longer watch him have those bad days. He could only walk to the end of the driveway before he’d have to stop and catch his breath. These comments above have helped me accept I did the right thing.