HS, very sorry to hear about the accident. If she can't live a pain free/comfortable life, then put her to rest.

 

No easy to tell your daughter, other than a traffic accident seriously injured her and she would be in tremendous daily pain and the best thing to do, is allow her to go to sleep and not feel the pain any more. Perhaps discussing getting a new pet and allow her to pick the animal and name it. If she hasn't already seen the dog, I would respectfully suggest, she not see her if you put her to sleep. Allow your daughter to remember her, the way she was.

 

I don't envy you and very sorry.

I'm so sorry to hear that you find yourself in this difficult situation. There truly is no right answer. All you can do is search your heart and assess what is best for both you and your dog.

I do have to say, it disturbs me to hear people saying things like "if he can't be made whole again." That to me, is a horrible way to look at this. Your main concern has to be prevention of pain and suffering for your dog, and undue burden for your family.

 

There are people all over the world who continue to care for their pets after the pet suffers a disabling injury. It can be done, and the pet can go on to live many happy years with their new situation. Getting around with the help of a pet wheel-cart does not constitute "suffering."

 

But that doesn't happen in every case. Sometimes the animal is truly suffering with pain. In this case, euthanasia is probably the best choice for both dog and human. Also, if the burden on you and your family will be too great, you must be realistic and honest with yourself. And you should not feel any guilt for making the choice to euthanize.

 

Remember, your dog has spent her life trying to please you, to look out for you, and to do what's best for you. I don't say that to make you feel guilty. I say that to point out that your Josie would want you to make whichever choice is best for you.

I am bearing some guilt because I have seen the hole she dug and it is one that I had a chance to remedy this weekend and did not do so. Also, Josie has always been a digger and I have steadfastly refused to pay for an electric fence.

I am bearing some guilt because I have seen the hole she dug and it is one that I had a chance to remedy this weekend and did not do so. Also, Josie has always been a digger and I have steadfastly refused to pay for an electric fence.

You don't bear responsibility for something you couldn't foresee.

 

It's easy to look back and piece together events in such a way that you could have made things turn out different. But life doesn't work that way. You don't get to skip ahead in the book and find out how it turns out.

 

Unless you had done something maliciously -- which you did not -- you shouldn't feel any guilt for what happened. But I know that's a lot easier to say than to do.

I do have to say, it disturbs me to hear people saying things like "if he can't be made whole again." That to me, is a horrible way to look at this. Your main concern has to be prevention of pain and suffering for your dog, and undue burden for your family.

 

There are people all over the world who continue to care for their pets after the pet suffers a disabling injury. It can be done, and the pet can go on to live many happy years with their new situation. Getting around with the help of a pet wheel-cart does not constitute "suffering."

Since I said it, why do you find it disturbing? And how do you know that an animal is not suffering after such an accident? Why keep an animal alive for the sake of the owners (lets face it, that's what it's really about). I love animals, but I grew up believing that it was cruel to keep an animal alive so I don't lose a pet. I agree that your main concern is to prevent pain and suffering for the dog, however, for every 1 story about Seabiscuit, there are numerous ones about Barbaro.

Since I said it, why do you find it disturbing? And how do you know that an animal is not suffering after such an accident? Why keep an animal alive for the sake of the owners (lets face it, that's what it's really about). I love animals, but I grew up believing that it was cruel to keep an animal alive so I don't lose a pet. I agree that your main concern is to prevent pain and suffering for the dog, however, for every 1 story about Seabiscuit, there are numerous ones about Barbaro.

 

Right now I am keeping the dog alive (with pain medication, mind you) because I have not yet decided how to deal with this vis a vis my son. He's a very smart little boy, but also pretty big-hearted. I did not want to deal with the question of death at age 5, but I think I'm going to.

Since I said it, why do you find it disturbing? And how do you know that an animal is not suffering after such an accident? Why keep an animal alive for the sake of the owners (lets face it, that's what it's really about). I love animals, but I grew up believing that it was cruel to keep an animal alive so I don't lose a pet. I agree that your main concern is to prevent pain and suffering for the dog, however, for every 1 story about Seabiscuit, there are numerous ones about Barbaro.

 

First of all, you weren't the only one that made the remark. I think it's cruel to force your own prejudices on an animal. You may feel that living your life with a disability would be intolerable. Most people don't see it that way, and I doubt that a pet would either. The pet doesn't have social stigmas or ego issues. They just want to be happy and get on with pleasing their family.

 

My comments had absolutely nothing to do with selfishness of an owner. If your read my post again, I think you'll clearly see that I felt that the owner's welfare has to come first. And I believe that it comes first in the mind of the dog as well. I believe I also pointed out that, if the animal is truly suffering, they should be euthanized. I just don't believe that "suffering" should be defined in terms of human ego issues.

Right now I am keeping the dog alive (with pain medication, mind you) because I have not yet decided how to deal with this vis a vis my son. He's a very smart little boy, but also pretty big-hearted. I did not want to deal with the question of death at age 5, but I think I'm going to.

It's part of life. You can't suger-coat it. All you can do is handle it in a sensitive manner, and in the context of your own beliefs.

Hearsay, I don't envy your position with the family more than anything. I'd consult your wife and make sure you agree on the decision. You seem to be the most levelheaded poster I know and I'm sure you'll make the right decision. IMO, the bowel control issue would be the worst issue to deal with moreso than the loss of hind limbs. Good luck with your decision. FWIW, I seem to lean toward HHSDad's advice.

Sorry to hear that Hearsay. We had a doxen for 16 years, the last year or so he began to show his age. My dad took him to the vet 2 seperate times to have him put down, and each time he returned home with Sparkey, he just couldnt do it. Finally, Sparkey became too ill and we did have to have him put down. Sometimes you just have to do whats best for the dog, not for whats best for you... Best wishes.

It's part of life. You can't suger-coat it. All you can do is handle it in a sensitive manner, and in the context of your own beliefs.

 

^That's about the only sensible thing you can do.

 

Sorry about your dog, Hearsay.

No advice here, just my sympathy and prayers. JD

 

Me, too.....

I hate to hear stories like this. Tough situation to be in and I am sure you will make the right one.

My prayers are with you on this one.

Hey man Im sorry for you guys...Trust your Vet,They will let you know what is Best...