Have you ever had a dog euthanized?

(10-10-2012, 05:09 PM)TreeClimber Wrote: Haopee, the decision to euthanize is never an easy one. I'm sorry your friend had to gone through this.

I've had to euthanize one dog. Our Collie was about 8 years old when she developed a respiratory disease known to Collies. It made her lungs produce too much mucus. It affected her sinuses the most. We had her sinuses operated on a couple of times but it didn't improve things. When she got bad and medication no longer helped her, we had to make the decision. It was not an easy one, let me tell you. But, our poor dog was miserable and suffering every day. One always thinks they could have done something more, but usually that is because it's so hard for us to let go.

I've heard of such disease. Only Collies are prone to it, right? That's just awful. I would never want my dog to be in prolonged pain. I have also asked myself whether I would be doing it or not especially it came to a point that it were necessary. I'm sorry to hear that you've also had to deal with it

(10-11-2012, 01:15 AM)pafjlh Wrote: First of all I am so sorry for your friend and their loss. As for your question, the answer is yes, my family has had to have dogs euthanized in the past. Its not an easy decision to make, because you love the dog very much. But sometimes you have to ask yourself, are you really doing what is right for them by keeping them alive. Watching a dog suffer needlessly isn't easy to do, and sometimes this can be even more heartbreaking they allowing a Vet to put them down. We wish that we can do something to help them, but sometimes the only thing that we can do is let them go. Its a hard loss, but its one that many pet owners will ultimately face.

I totally agree with you. I have heard others justify that euthanasia isn't natural but what about those who'd rather have their pets live using artificial respirators just to keep them alive? Isn't that like torturing them more? Doesn't that also hinder the natural process of death?

I know it sounds really weird but I wouldn't want my dog to further suffer either.