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xchrom

(108,903 posts) Mon Mar 17, 2014, 07:06 AM Mar 2014

Our DIY euthanasia: Letting go of the dog who rescued us

http://www.salon.com/2014/03/17/our_diy_euthanasia_letting_go_of_the_dog_who_rescued_us/

If you’re an animal person, specifically a dog person, you remember your first dog like your first love. If you’re a chronic rescuer of three-legged, one-eyed pets, you remember your first dog as the beginning of the gauntlet, the time you left the door to your heart open and animals never stopped walking in, and dying on you.

I have a bad habit of finding dogs online, a habit only enabled by marrying into a family of three veterinarians. I’d always wanted a dog of my own — a wish for one dog that would later turn into five. So, the week after my husband and I were married, I found a goofy-looking, middle-aged shelter dog named Niño and declared him mine. The one. There was something solemn and noble in his eyes and I thought: I can make this dog happy. This is the hubris of an animal lover, certainly, but also an earnest desire I have never shaken.

We went to meet him. His foster home was the kind of place every animal enthusiast sees as a cautionary tale: There was a beagle scratching himself raw on top of the chewed-up coffee table. Loud, incessant barking. Sad, stained carpet. Mutiny, really. The animals were in charge here.

“He likes to follow me when I mow the lawn,” the guy said, looking down at the 80-pound, jet-black lab-shepherd mix that lay devotedly at his feet. I could tell he didn’t want to part with Niño, whom we took for a short walk, a test drive of sorts. Niño tugged on the leash, had loose hips and a lopsided way of sitting. He stared through us and lunged at squirrels. It didn’t matter. I loved him before we met.

4 replies

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Highlight:

Our DIY euthanasia: Letting go of the dog who rescued us (Original Post) xchrom Mar 2014 OP

I've had a number of dogs in my life... Javaman Mar 2014 #1

Our present dog, Roxy madokie Mar 2014 #2

She captures it perfectly warrior1 Mar 2014 #3

We took our cat Wilma for that last trip spinbaby Mar 2014 #4

Javaman

(62,533 posts)

1. I've had a number of dogs in my life...

Reply to xchrom (Original post)

Mon Mar 17, 2014, 08:46 AM

Mar 2014

but yes, my first; Duffy, will aways be special to me.

I got him when I was 6 and he died when I was 19. He was my pal.

Then there was Joe, Otto 1 & 2, Quark, Preztel, Gritter, Pacos, Ruby, Rosie (who was a very special dear soul to me) and now Paulie (who is such a sweet and kind little guy. He's my buddy)

madokie

(51,076 posts)

2. Our present dog, Roxy

Reply to xchrom (Original post)

Mon Mar 17, 2014, 08:54 AM

Mar 2014

Border Collie mix was born dec. 21 1997. Took her in for blood work last week and looks like she'll be with us a few more years. Had a urine infection that shes taking antibiotics for now.
With me where ever I go. When I mow I have to leave her in the house as she will be running right with me. When I go out and work in the shop she takes a place that is a good vantage spot and lays there and watches out for me. don't even want to think about loosing her.
Whenever I go anywhere where its dog friendly she goes with me, which is quiet frequently. Loves to go

warrior1

(12,325 posts)

3. She captures it perfectly

Reply to xchrom (Original post)

Mon Mar 17, 2014, 09:07 AM

Mar 2014

I had to put my boy Lance down on February 4 and I still cry.

spinbaby

(15,090 posts)

4. We took our cat Wilma for that last trip

Reply to xchrom (Original post)

Mon Mar 17, 2014, 11:29 AM

Mar 2014

Right before Christmas, our tiny Wilma, going on 19 years old with failing kidneys, took that last turn for the worse. I went to the vet for a sedative before I took her in so her last trip wouldn't be too traumatic.

I know a man who, when his dog was in pain from terminal cancer, took it for a walk on a favorite trail and then shot it between the eyes. I couldn't do something like that, but admit that it's a better way to go than that last trip to the vet.

The trip to the next world should always be gentle. A friend of mine is now suffering in the hospital when she should really be in hospice because her sister won't admit that she's dying. I do my best to keep her company and make encouraging noises, but we all know she's never going home again.

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