So I think we're going to have to put our dog to sleep soon...

[ichy]

Wasn't cheap but I have no desire to put down my pets in the manner that your step-dad did. What did he do with the body after? Bury it out there?

Not to sound twisted, but the cat didn't know the difference. I don't think that I could bring myself to do something like that, but in some ways it's the most humane way to go about it. Instant lights out for the cat with no idea of what's about to happen.

 

[jhansman]

I think (but am not sure) that the SPCA can be called upon for euthanasia assistance as well. Some 20 yrs. ago I took our very old, very sick golden retriever there to be put down. Two women performed the process (one a vet), and it was quick and painless. I managed to get back to my car before I broke down completely. As others have noted, going through this more than once makes my ever getting another dog unlikely. I just don't think I could do it again.

 

[Modelworks]

I never had to put any of our animals down. All our family dogs died of natural causes , they often would disappear right before they died and we would find them later under a bush or tree a fair ways off from the family property. These were all outdoor animals and I guess they just went off on their own when they sensed their time was near, at least that is how my dad explained it to us. I can't imagine having to put down an animal that I had cared about for years.

 

[ichy]

I can't imagine having to put down an animal that I had cared about for years.

It's a shitty decision to have to make, but when you see your cat so sick and weak that he can't drag himself out the litterbox then it's the lesser of two evils

I do hope that when my cat's time comes she'll keel over from a kitty heart attack or something else really fast, but it ought to be a long time before I have to worry about anything like that .

 

[alkemyst]

Not to sound twisted, but the cat didn't know the difference. I don't think that I could bring myself to do something like that, but in some ways it's the most humane way to go about it. Instant lights out for the cat with no idea of what's about to happen.

Most animals do realize when a firearm is pointed at them.

Also as I said above, most find out that a 'headshot' doesn't always work like videogames.

No one recommends this practice when veterinarian assistance is available.

Makes for 'cool' forum discussion though, I guess.

 

[Blieb]

Sorry op

"He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion." -Unknown

It's tough, but I choose to be there 'to the last beat of his heart' ... if I have to make the choice for them, then I do owe it to them to be there ...

 

[alkemyst]

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

 

[Patrick Wolf]

Most animals do realize when a firearm is pointed at them.

Seriously? How? No, most animals have no clue what a firearm is unless they've seen one in action before.

Also as I said above, most find out that a 'headshot' doesn't always work like videogames.

In this case it was a high-powered rifle at point blank range. Even in real life people wouldn't survive that 99% of the time, let alone a tiny cat brain.

No one recommends this practice when veterinarian assistance is available.

Course vets wouldn't, it's more money for them. But shooting can be an appropriate means of euthanasia for large animals (e.g., horses, cattle, deer) if performed properly. Most people have their "pet put to sleep" cause they couldn't stomach killing the animal themselves or because they simply don't have a firearm.

What did he do with the body after? Bury it out there?

I didn't see the cat afterwards, but apparently it was a clean kill (no blood) so they took him home and buried him the backyard.

 

[alkemyst]

Seriously? How? No, most animals have no clue what a firearm is unless they've seen one in action before.

Animals can tell things pointed at them sometimes came with unpleasant results...like water bottles and hoses. I speak from a lot of experience and a background in Zoology.

In this case it was a high-powered rifle at point blank range. Even in real life people wouldn't survive that 99% of the time, let alone a tiny cat brain.

How'd you secure your cat? What if it moved? What if you pulled on pulling the trigger? The first question would probably make it not so nice, the rest happen often. It's a bad idea. Also that tiny cat brain may be able to continue functioning even with some severe trauma. Again, we have had head partially ran over, the client drive the pet in, but it was unsavable.

Course vets wouldn't, it's more money for them. But shooting can be an appropriate means of euthanasia for large animals (e.g., horses, cattle, deer) if performed properly. Most people have their "pet put to sleep" cause they couldn't stomach killing the animal themselves or because they simply don't have a firearm.

It's usually under $100 and most vet's really rather not euthanize an animal, they do just fine with other services.

Most have their animals put to sleep because it's against the law often times to discharge a fire arm where they live and also in many places to shoot your pet. I don't think you really understand the laws and reasons nor the potential issues.

Sure, during an euthanasia the animal can go into seizure, but it's very rare and by that point the animal is usually on auto-pilot and not really coherent.

I didn't see the cat afterwards, but apparently it was a clean kill (no blood) so they took him home and buried him the backyard.

High powered rifle and no blood?

 

[Patrick Wolf]

Animals can tell things pointed at them sometimes came with unpleasant results...like water bottles and hoses. I speak from a lot of experience and a background in Zoology.

I've only seen that when they already know about the result of such items. House pets are not usually exposed to firearms (unless they see them on TV and recognize one in real life as amazing as that would be). Though I suppose if you spray your dog/cat with the hose they may associate a gun as something with a similar unpleasant result. A pet on their last leg probably won't care anyway. I know this cat sure wouldn't have.

How'd you secure your cat? What if it moved? What if you pulled on pulling the trigger? The first question would probably make it not so nice, the rest happen often. It's a bad idea. Also that tiny cat brain may be able to continue functioning even with some severe trauma. Again, we have had head partially ran over, the client drive the pet in, but it was unsavable.

Wasn't my cat, but I knew him very well. He was sickly and lazy to boot, he would've just lied there in the grass, not moving a muscle. As I said, if done properly it's fine. My step-dad is also an experiened and competent deer hunter. He knew what he was doing.

It's usually under $100 and most vet's really rather not euthanize an animal, they do just fine with other services.

Most have their animals put to sleep because it's against the law often times to discharge a fire arm where they live and also in many places to shoot your pet. I don't think you really understand the laws and reasons nor the potential issues.

Sure, during an euthanasia the animal can go into seizure, but it's very rare and by that point the animal is usually on auto-pilot and not really coherent.

Many laws are in-place simply to deter stupid people from stupid things which is good cause it works, but I'm not an idiot so they don't mean much to me. Obviously you shouldn't shoot or harm your pet in anyway, but as a means to euthanize it's acceptable. You do it right and there won't be any issues. You can always go out to the country and do it, course in a large city that may not be very practical.

High powered rifle and no blood?

Happens with deer too. Don't know why. I wasn't there so maybe there was a tiny amount of blood, but not like a steady flow or anything.

 

[Schadenfreude]

Why are you even justifying your actions to Alky of all people on this thread?

 

[alkemyst]

I've only seen that when they already know about the result of such items. House pets are not usually exposed to firearms (unless they see them on TV and recognize one in real life as amazing as that would be). Though I suppose if you spray your dog/cat with the hose they may associate a gun as something with a similar unpleasant result. A pet on their last leg probably won't care anyway. I know this cat sure wouldn't have.

Animals have some sort of higher instinct than people is all I can say on this. I have not only witnessed it, but read about it a bit. If an animal is half dead, then they probably won't realize it. However, many pets are put to 'sleep' before they get that critical.

I
Wasn't my cat, but I knew him very well. He was sickly and lazy to boot, he would've just lied there in the grass, not moving a muscle. As I said, if done properly it's fine. My step-dad is also an experiened and competent deer hunter. He knew what he was doing.

that's a key aspect...most gun owners are not pro-hunters nor dealing with a stationary animal. However, there is also a reason why most hunters don't go for head shots either.

Many laws are in-place simply to deter stupid people from stupid things which is good cause it works, but I'm not an idiot so they don't mean much to me. Obviously you shouldn't shoot or harm your pet in anyway, but as a means to euthanize it's acceptable. You do it right and there won't be any issues. You can always go out to the country and do it, course in a large city that may not be very practical.

Once you say laws are just in-place for stupid people, you really lose all credibility.

I know you mentioned it was cheaper and more private, however; in almost all areas you can find a vet that will do an euthanasia for $50-60 with no frills other than a planned time they do these things and it will be a quiet facility.

That is much cheaper for most than driving out to the country (since you can't discharge a firearm in most urban/suburban areas legally except in self-defense).

In almost all places it's illegal to shoot your own pet. However, there is a blanket loop-hole that states an owner can administer euthanasia if done humanely.

Happens with deer too. Don't know why. I wasn't there so maybe there was a tiny amount of blood, but not like a steady flow or anything.

I am not disagreeing so much that in your case it was a clean kill. I am confused though because usually my experience with clean kills is there is some blood, but the animal goes down right away and passes quick. On larger beasts, you can easily have just a trickle of blood...the smaller usually leave a splatter.

I am just saying for most people that own shotguns, rifles and pistols, trying to shoot your own pet to euthanize it is usually a bad experience.

I am a bit of an animal geek though. It's a big part of my life. I usually visit dog parks when I travel and some rescues even without my dogs.

 

[alkemyst]

Why are you even justifying your actions to Alky of all people on this thread?

Please don't turn this into a chucklehut vs alkemyst thread.

 

[Kroze]

I am very sorry for your loss and know how you feel. I just had to put my dog down a couple of weeks ago and it's the most heartbreaking thing I've ever experience. I've never cried so much in my life.


I still cry like a baby thinking about it.

 

[rhino56]

which really really sucks, but I was wodering what we should do about our other dog who's been with her since we got him (about 6-7 years). Should we give him antidepressants or something when it happens? How do dogs handle situations like this?

Thanks!

I recently put my 15 y/o beagle to sleep, when she was about 6 i got a second beagle, when she was 14 i got a third. Now im back to 2 and they adapted very well to her loss. As long as they are not alone they do okay.