Well it is time

Gotta call the vet tomorrow and take our loving dog in to be put down. She is full of cancer and it is attacking her pretty bad. Been treating her with steriods to slow the growths but I think it is affecting other funtions. Boy I ain,t gonna like tomorrow. The better half is going to take it real bad, Sissy has been her companion for 10-1/2 years. Will have to go to the shelter some time after and find another but boy I do not know how, She is a great dog. Any suggestions on a medium size mixed breed? How are the Australian sheppards and is there any mix that is more harty. Sissy was a Lab/Boxer did not know boxers are prone to cancer. Sorry for the long post.

Bernie

Hope everything goes ok for you tomorrow. I dad an Australian Shepard English Springer Spaniel mix. He was an awesome dog. Very intelligent and rarely did anything wrong.

When we moved into a new home he went outside to do his business. When he was done I walked him over to it and told him no and walked him out to the woods. He never went in the yard again only in the woods. Thats just an example of how he was. Good luck.

Bernie,
Sorry to hear about your pet. Wife and I had to do this with our Golden Retreiver a few years ago. Had her for 16 years. It was hard on both of us. we talk about the good times we had with her.

Tommy

Sorry to hear that,it is good that you have enough love to let her go in this kind of situation though it is hard.

Thoughts and prayers will be with you and yours for comfort.

Sorry to hear about your dog. Losing a pet is never easy. We had to put our 12 year old cat down this past January, they think she had stomach cancer..She wouldent eat or drink.
But on the bright side, my father adapted another cat, so that kinda makes you feel better, what I mean is there are lots of anmials waiting for a home, so if you can give another dog a home its good for everyone. Good luck. J

I'm sorry for your loss. My mule stomped my favorite Dachshund a week ago Friday and it has been rough on my wife and me. She took it worse than I did though. I started to shoot the mule, but I can't blame him too much. The dog loved to provoke him.

Sorry to hear about your dog. That's always a tough decision. I've got and Australian Shepard that is 13 years old and still in good health. She is the 4th one we've had. They are very intelligent and very good dogs but some can be a little cranky around strangers. Ours have all been working dogs so they are quite active. I think that helps them remain healthy.
I would recommend rescuing a dog from the pound if you can. There are a lot of good dogs that would make good pets.

I had my first boxer die of cancer at age 12. One day, he seemed tired, I took him in. An xray of his lungs found one spot the size of a quarter. 30 days later, his lungs were 90% taken with cancer. I miss Jake more than most family members.

I feel your pain , had to "help out" many of our dogs through the years, I agree with pair-a-dice below though , go to the shelter or rescue and save a dog that may just meet the same fate but for no reason other than economics (or lack of). Everybody buys puppies , these poor dogs need homes.Trust me , it will help the healing process more than buying a puppy.

I have been there more times than I care to remember. Many dogs, and cats. Just do what you need to do tomrrow. It never gets easier. You give your friend a good life with food and shelter. Now it is time to let her go to end her pain. Just remember the good times. We have a Border Collie mix I would recommend that breed. Before her we had a Australin Shepard, another smart dog.Stan

You have my sympathy and prayers.

Don't even try to find a replacement dog yet, you will "stumble" across the right dog when the time is right. We have two, a 3 year old female boxer and a just turned year old husky/shepherd male mix.

The boxer is an inside and outside dog, the husky is outside only. Last Monday we found out my wife is allergic to all animals, but we will just keep the boxer bathed and won't get rid of the cat or horses either. DOUG

Sorry to hear about you dog. We have had to put down several dogs and cats over ther years for various reasons and it is never easy. Do like the others say, wait a little while until you have gotten over the greiving, then find a dog that needs a home. The two we have right now were one that my niece couldn't keep and a stray. Good luck.

Hey there Bernie;
I know very well what you are going through.
You and your wife have my prayers and sympathy.
Never does a day go by that I don't think of
my old"Pal"! He was the "very best" friend
I've ever had. His favorite game was to run
at me, and at the last second, duck his head
down, and knock me on my rump, (was a 150 #
Rottwieler)the he would set on me and "smile".
Damn, I almost started to cry.
Bob
God Bless

Real sorry..... You can't go wrong with an Australian Shepherd or an English Shepherd. Look around though, and find one from a farmer instead of a person that raises show dogs or a rancher that has hard core working dogs (not SUCH a bad thing that you couldn't get used to). We've got 4 and a litter of pups. Puppies are 4 weeks old and all shake hands and will go after a toy when you toss it (not real fast, but determined) haven't figured out that they have to bring it back yet though. Get you a real one though and not one of the freaks that they call mini or toy. Good Luck.

Dave

Will be a sad one for sure. My friends vet comes to the house (city) in stead of going to the office which all dogs don't care for as a suggestion. Had my Lab put down in the back of the wagon she hated the office.

We have had to help many of our furry children in the last 20 years. Last was a 14 yr old Golden retriever (had four so far). We now have aan Australian shepherd and another rescue dog plus the last of the GR's. I would suggest you find an Australian shepherd as they are the most loyal, intelligent, and loving dog on the planet.Also, they talk to you. Ours is now 9 yrs old and has never done anything wrong, and is a constant companion. Henry

Sorry to hear about your dog, I know they are always considered a member of the family in most cases. Get you a lab, it will be a faithful companion.

It is hard to lose a good dog and companion.

Be thankful for the good times and fond memories.

There is going to be a time of grief, there needs to be. I always remember just how important the bonding between the Humans and Dogs have become. I submit that the best we can do is to remember our obligation to them. They depend on us in many ways. Once the threshhold of pain and disability has been crossed we must remember to give mercy. Peace be with the next few days, and memories maintained for ever.

I give Austrailian Shepherds a big thumbs up. They are very bright pleasing dogs, that with good practices will be integrated into the family easily. Regular Border collies are another great choice. Both will work to be valuable, and love to be loved. JimN

Considering that dogs live to maybe 15 or 16, most of us pet lovers will put down 3, 4 or maybe more during our lifetime. You do get attached to them.

BTW, some of the posters reminded me of an old "short" film that I caught part of on the old movie channel (TCM?) one day. It looked like it was made in the '40s, had an old farmer carrying a shotgun, walking with his dog down a lane, reminiscing. Then the dog lays down and he raises the gun and then cuts to the farmhouse where the wife is in the kitchen and you hear a "boom". Next thing you know he walks by the door with the dog and he says something like, "I missed" and she just smiles. That may not be the exact scenario but it's close. Anyone remember seeing it? Pretty good short film.

BTDT. One of my old cats is pretty sick today. Don"t know if I can pull her through this time.

She"s been on medication to support liver & kidney function for a couple of years now.

I"ll know by morning if its time to make that trip to the vet.

Sorry to hear about your dog. Our pet cemetery is getting larger all the time.

A visit to the vet's office is usually tramatic for many dogs. Maybe she is used to it. Ought to be a better way. Have the vet come over or something. Best way to go would be while sleeping. Anymore, vets give a sedative by needle before the final shot. Maybe you can give it some type of sedative/sleeping pill at home to put it to sleep first. Then go to the vet or I've read of people using car exhaust or propane into a closed container after sedating. Too me, it is a matter of going out with dignity for my dog and myself. Carrying a shaking and scared to death dog into the vet's office and holding a shaking dog while they give it a shot isn't to dignified for either. And walking out of the room and letting them hold a shaking dog is much good for the dog even if it is easier on the owner.

We had one put down that had a pancreatic attack and had been at the vet's office for a few days. Had an IV in her and her leg was bandaged up from a hip displacement so not a pleasant experience for the dog but the best we could do in trying to save her. She didn't like it being in a cage around other sick animals but we got to see her before it was done and say goodbye.

Got to be a better way.

We had one puppy that got out one night and got run over. Found it one the side of the road about 3 miles away the next day. Brought it home and left it in the garage with the other dogs so they could sniff it and see that their brother and son died. At least the other dogs had some closure instead of wondering where it went.

We have the vet come come to the house.Lot less stress on the dog.Only charges us 40.00
Couldnt believe it was that cheap first time we did it.That was last year might of gone up a bit.

Sorry for your loss.

I feel your pain, our 14 yr. old red heeler (what a smart breed!) is suffering from arth. in her feet and legs, cold weather makes her almost imobile. Never, never has relieved herself in our yard, only an occasional trip next door, or a need to relieve herself across the road will get her off this 7.23 acres, knows the boundaries as well as anyone. When I went to Iraq she laid at the end of the driveway for 6 months, in snow and rain, waiting for me to "come home from work. Wouldn't even come to the house to eat.
"Soon it will be time, and she is my best girl. Smartest animal I've ever known!! How we learn to love them,They love us unconditionally!!