I was going to post this on another thread but thought better of it...
 
This afternoon our old dog can't seem to get up anymore. I heard her howling in the doghouse, got her up and out... in a bit I had to help her up again a couple of times, again a few minutes ago.

I will have to put her down tomorrow. I am torn between taking her to the vet (where she will be terrified) for a shot or just putting her down at home with a bullet or anything sudden and painless . I just am not sure where to shoot her, back of the head I would guess but I don't know. I have .40 clad and 12 guage 00 buck but if I do it myself I want her to not feel it. I want it sudden and over... my fear is that I will mess up but I really hate taking her to die where she will be scared in her last minutes.

Does anyone have any advice?
 
I think digging the hole will really be about all I can do... my back will HATE me for it but it is my responsibility.
 
Well, thanks... is my thinking all wrong? I am not sure what to do, I want to do what is best for her and while I don't want the trauma, I will man up to my responsibility.. but neither do I want to make a mistake. Confused...
 
J

J,
REALLY SORRY to hear.

Take her in to the vet.  IMHO you dont need to deal with the what-ifs later down the road.
She wont feel a thing there, she will just go to sleep peacefully.

I lost mine Christmas eve and was actually turning to our friends here but I never could bring myself to talk about with anyone anywhere.  Im almost in tears thinking about it now.

They are family and deserve the peacefulness of what a vet can provide.

Again Man,  So sorry to hear

Bella was the one in the back.  She comforted me in a time when I was not doing well at all and it killed me to know that I couldnt do a thing for her when she had a major seizure that caused me to have to make the call to put her down.  I had already taken her to the Animal ER and she was there from the time shortly after her seizure until the doctor called and said they were doing CPR to keep her going.  Its a very tough call for a loved one but I cant see them suffer either.  Poor girl was only 3 years old and 3 lbs when she left us but at least she isnt suffering.




Take care 

I agree but she is terrified of the vet... she hasn't been there in years because she is so nervous about it. I have to carry her in and she is a border collie mix. I adopted her when she was about a year old and she has always been really shy. She has never liked to be petted, never liked me or anyone putting a hand on her head unless from the bottom. She is "peculiar" and it bothers me to think she will live her last minutes in fear. My wife agrees with you but I am not convinced... but you are probably right.
I really don't mind "taking care of it" if I can know what I am doing... I am a bit old school about things like this anyway... in some ways I feel like I am a 19th century throwback, then again, I've never had to do this. Last year her pup died and I let that go on too long, I am not going to do that again.

Thanks for the advice.

Julien

Call your vet and get some relaxers before taking her in?

I feel exactly what your saying.

Julien, I know your post may be received with many different views. I grew up on a farm where vets were not common for  for small animals treatment.
 
I saw lots of dogs and cats come and go, and as morbid as it may sound, dogs be dispatched by a .22 when dying. Remeber , it was rural, and a whole different time/

IF there was something you could put her food to put her to sleep peacefully then that would be the best. Perhaps you can research it.The bullet would do the same , but the lasting image of it can be traumatic, and if you miss, as well you may under the circumstances, then there is that whole scene to deal with.

Good luck with your decision.

That sucks. Try calling around to see if any vets will come over to do it. It's rare but some will make house calls for this. If not maybe see if you can go pick up a dose of the shot so you can do it at home yourself. You probably don't want to carrying around the memory of having to shoot her, man or not. It's just a very grim thing to deal with.

Sorry to hear about the puppy. I hope you feel better.

Hi Julian,

You know what to do what is best for her, as sad as it is.

Reading the thread title, I thought is was you saying goodbye. Scared the hell out of me ........

I feel really sad just reading what needs to be done :-(

Sorry you have to go thru this. She won't suffer no more and will be at peace.