Veterinarian Shares Personal Story of Having His Own Dog Put to Sleep

ABC News via Yahoo ^ | 5/13/14 | Douglas Palma

[Kartographer]

In the years it has taken to write this piece I think about Rufus every day. His memory still burns strong, with his dog tag firmly attached to my key chain as a daily reminder to be half the moral character that Rufus was. Those two days are with me every time I have to break bad news or perform euthanasia. Now when I say, "I understand," I do.

[Kartographer]

If we could only be the people that our dogs see us as.

[Farmer Dean]

We lost our German Shepherd Hanna last year to cancer.I had the vet come to our farm to put her to sleep,I didn’t want her to die in a place that was strange to her.Held her head in my arms and she went peacefully.

[Kartographer]

I plan to do the same thing with my dog Hope when her time comes. I don’t want her passing in a place she fears.

[RedStateRocker]

We are fortunate that our vet has came to our house to help us with the last two dogs. Especially as Brutus was 130 lbs or Rottie and not moving very well.

[trisham]

"Freedom is the sure possession of those alone
who have the courage to defend it."

~Pericles

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[TexasCajun]

Geez, we have two 12 yr Shih Tzu.

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[blueplum]

When I lived in town, we were fortunate to have found a small-animal vet that would make housecalls and the dear man was there for us when it was time. My beautiful rottweiler, who barely filled two hands when she was born, barely fit on a couch when she was grown, and who’s life’s ambition was to be a lap dog, breathed her last in her favorite place in the shade in our back yard, with her “adopted” squirrel squeeky toy next to her. God Bless Dr. C. for the peace of mind he brought us.

[1rudeboy]

I’m putting down a horse soon. He’s 96 (in human years). The owner will evacuate the property until it is all over. I will lead the horse to his death, and handle everything. He trusts me, and I will faithfully serve him to the very end. I dread the approach of this day.

[tanuki]

God bless you and give you strength.

[CatherineofAragon]

"We lost our German Shepherd Hanna last year to cancer.I had the vet come to our farm to put her to sleep,I didn’t want her to die in a place that was strange to her.Held her head in my arms and she went peacefully."

God bless you...you did the right thing.

A number of years ago, I had a well-loved elderly cat who suffered a stroke. I wasn't there when he was put to sleep, and I will never forgive myself for it.

[DAC21]

My Labbie / Dalmation mix Sarah is 12 on Thursday, so far so good. We feed her good quality food such as Taste of the Wild and Wellness. She gets about 1 1/4 mile walk a day and a couple of Cosamin tablets for joint preventative Maint. So far no gimpyness in her joints other than a little more stretching on her part the last two years. It will be a difficult day when her health turns South, she is our kid.

[CatherineofAragon]

I hope you have many more years with your girl. I’ll bet she’s a sweetheart.

I also believe good quality food is important. It’s all they get, apart from the occasional treat.

[slapshot]

Unfortunately, our 18 year old sheltie has been getting gimpy but is still aware and able to move around. The kids did agility training with her which I think is a major reason she is still around. Some competition but not to high levels. She could jump from a standstill into your arms back in the day.

[slapshot]

Unfortunately, our 18 year old sheltie has been getting gimpy but is still aware and able to move around. The kids did agility training with her which I think is a major reason she is still around. Some competition but not to high levels. She could jump from a standstill into your arms back in the day.

[Secret Agent Man]

cold laser therapy can help with the pain and mobility. trust me, it helps a LOT of problems these guys get in old age. find a vet that offers it.

it truly is a miracle.

i’m with my little guy who’s ten, and about two weeks ago was diagnosed with a cancer in his front leg. we’re treating it with natural anticancers b/c it’s not an aggressive one and we have time to see if we can shrink it.

certainly would appreciate prayers for him. we’ve had him ever since he was 10 weeks old. love him to pieces.

[OldPossum]

I have a beagle who may be as old as 15. He, too, has arthritis problems and the laser treatments he gets at our veterinarian’s office help him a lot.