Should I put my dog to sleep? - lengthy post

I've had my dog (Shih-Tzu) Buster since 8th grade - 11 years; my parents bought him to mate with our other dog, Duchess. We also had a Chocolate Lab, Duke, who died in 2007. He had been there with Buster his entire life, and Buster never left his side. Duke died, and Buster survived, but he was down and recognizably upset for a while.

My grandparents live next door to me, and they had a (Rocky) Black Lab. After Duke died, he kind of hung around him most of the time, but Rocky was just about as old as Duke, had arthritis and couldn't walk hardly -- he died.

My parents split up last year - my mom left (haven't spoken to her since), my dad eventually moved, took Duchess and got a new house. So now, it's Buster and I living alone in my Parents' old house.

My grandparents have two Shih-Tzu's now, and there is a gate between the yard where Buster can go freely between yards. He's blind, so he has a hard time getting around, but he manages it. My grandparents and my yard are both pretty large yards on the oceanfront and he gets lost a lot and he'll bark until he hears someone coming. He's extremely needy - he will bark until he gets what he wants -- and this seems to be almost non-stop. He loves being outside, but I can't keep him outside constantly -- the heat now is too bad for him to be out there all the time -- if I were to let him stay outside forever, he'd probably haven't a care, but I can't do that with his blindness, other critters that come in the yards, the water right there, etc.

Lately he's been scratching at the front door and barking to get out in the morning (mind you, this is at about 3am every morning) -- and this has been happening every morning for about a week. I haven't been letting him out just so he doesn't think he can always get what he wants, but eventually I have to let him out because he's relentless - and I'll yell at him and swat his nose and stuff - I won't "spank" him - I can't find it in myself to spank a helpless, blind dog that only wants to go outside.

Once he's outside, he walks over to my grandparent's back deck, lays on there, and eventually he'll start barking again, waking them up - it never ends.

He's a good dog - just extremely needy. He really only wants a full time friend, but I can't provide that - and giving him away isn't an option - he would kill himself. Conversations between the grand-rents and I on putting him to sleep have arisen, and I feel horrible just even considering the option. I didn't ask for him, my dad just kind of left him, but I've been taking care of him for about 6 months now, and I don't think it's fair for me to allow someone or put him to sleep because he inconveniences me and is a large hassle. Any guidance?

I'm my dogs seeing eye human.



Yes, he really is blind and it's not the hair in front of his eyes - which has been cut since this picture.

 

bring him in with you at night, when you go to bed

this doesn't seem to be a legit reason to put him down in my opinion...sure he is sad, but until he is physically suffering I would say euthanasia is not the solution

give him some extra lovin at night

 

We think he might be in pain. I forgot to mention this part.

He developed sores on his back from crawling under the gate into my grandparents yard, and they definitely bother him - I try putting cream on it, but he's persistent in biting at them - think I may invest in a cone - but I know he will never stop barking.

He has cataracts. which I'm not sure if they are painful. He does this weird thing where he rears his hind legs. He'll walk and suddenly hell kick out his rears like a horse, and when he's lying, he does the same thing to - it seems to be a sort of spasm thing - and I think this is done out of pain because he wines a bit every time he does it. My grandmother believes he also has ear problems she thinks may be a cause of pain.

 

man this is tough, I don't know exactly what to say

my last dog was a diabetic, we gave her shots twice a day for bout 8 years, she had cataracts as well, i spent the night at a friends, i came home the next day and she wasn't there, my parents had put her down with out telling me about this...terrible shit terrible...that's why i am against it, unless its necessary, though my dog was clearly in pain.

i would suggest taking him to the Vet, and telling him/her all this, they may have more insight...and may suggest euthanasia...a cone would be a good start, but the vet may have more answers/suggestions for you...

man this is so sad to think about

 

Even with the pain, it's not really a thing in which you should put an animal down for. This dog seems needy as you said, but is it any wonder why? He needs a full time friend and is lonely (duke and rocky died, his "pack" for the past ten years has also left). I think you're saying that you cannot be his full time friend and that's what he needs.

You say you can't give him away, but if he's suffering and lonely surely it would be kinder to try and find him a home (not a shelter) where he will have companions constantly.

I think the only person who can answer your q's would be a vet who can advise you much more than we can. But I certainly wouldn't put him down. Despite his pain which to me seems mild. He may be 11 years old but Schitzu's tend to live well past the age of 17.

The sores on his back are self inflicted which you need to get treated. Also I think that he shouldn't be allowed outside unsupervised because he is going to cause more injury.

 

I think it's totally irresponsible of you to have a dog in the first place. Your pet isn't just a toy for you to use when it's in good shape and then throw away when things get rough. If you can't be there for an animal...don't get one in the first place.

Killing your dog because he can't see and barks at night...WTF.

 

I hate to make it sound this bad, but I don't have any other way of wording it -- both my parents essentially abandoned him and didn't consider it an option to take him along -- he was left with me without my consent -- and since I have spent the past 10 or so years of my life with him, I do consider him my dog. I didn't ask for him, but I do what I need to to take care of him.

I am with him for the maximum amount of time I can be - which is at least 16 hours a day, and when I'm not home, he goes next door. We're buddies. He's happy to see me when I get home and I'm happy to see him when he gets home (from next door, not work, etc). I feed him all he wants, make sure he has clean water every day, bathe him, play with him and talk to him constantly - so by no means do you have the right to question my ability to take care of him - that is out of line because I've taken extremely good care of him.

I agree it's a tough decision. He misses his buddies, he has a hard time with the blindness and gets noticeably frustrated with it, and he cries almost non-stop.

I was asking because, when I move - I won't be able to take him with me - and it's my grandparents decision and they wouldn't be able to handle him, and giving him away isn't an option - if you knew the dog, you'd realize that - he's attached to this house and us like a human - he knows this yard, and he'll be lost if he's somewhere else. One reason I haven't moved yet is because of him, because I don't want him to be put to sleep and I have and am staying here as long as I can just so he won't have to be.

 

Yeah but STILL YOU SHOULDN'T BE FUCKING PUTTING IT DOWN! What's wrong with you? Give the thing away you heartless ****** just because you're moving SHOULD NOT mean death for this guy. You could easily find him a home where people will care for him. I agree with everything spectral toast said.

WHY is it not an option to give him away?! He'll pine for like a week then he'll be fine. Your views on wanting to put him down are ridiculous.

 

I would buy a zapper collar for the barking.....and as for moving...cross that bridge when you get there...who knows...maybe he'll die before you move.

 

Are you serious? That's a joke right?




This entire thread was based on my views of NOT wanting to put him down.

 

I would tend toward the side of the pro-lifers on this issue. I've never agreed with putting animals down unless they are in the utmost physical pain with no end in sight. If he is still alive and kicking, he must have a desire to be so. Depression is not a good reason. Misbehaving is a not a good reason unless he is violent (which he does not seem to be).
What I'm saying is, you need to weight the options after being fully educated on the situation. This animal NEEDS a vet visit. It is cruelty to deny him at least the chance to get better and recover from his grief. Share exactly what you have shared with us with your vet. Don't leave ANYTHING out.
It may be that the veterinarian will be able to fix the physical problems and refer to you a behavioral specialist to deal with the barking. Alternately, the vet may rule that the animal's physical ailments are beyond help and elect to put it down. In my opinion, until you have this information, you cannot in good conscience make an informed decision on what to do with this dog. You can't guess at this. You NEED an expert- and not some relative or friend of the family that has experience with dogs. You need a DOCTOR.
You say you were left the dog without your consent. That sounds like because you didn't ask for this, you don't owe this dog every chance at life. That's not true. You have a moral obligation now, and this will be a test of what kind of person you are. I'm sorry you have been burdened with this, but we all have trials laid down before us that we don't necessarily wish for. Do the right thing. Please. If you truly love him as a "buddy" and not just some thing that you count amongst your possessions, you owe it to him. Good luck.
Very sweet looking fellow, by the way. Really cute.

 

Gorgeous dog! I have to agree with everyone else on the matter though. 11 years is nothing for a Shih-tzu, they live happy and healthy lives until they are 15 plus. I was actually pretty sad reading your story. It doesn't sound like you love him. I had to have a puppy put to sleep 10 years ago, and I'm still not over it- I still want to cry for him.

His sores must be excruciating and filled with parasites and bacteria. Why you haven't seen a vet about this I don't know. I don't believe it's intentional, but it's almost animal cruelty because you seem so ignorant to do anything about it.

As for his eyes- Lots of dogs go blind. Being blind is no reason to be put to sleep. It sounds like this dog is pining after your parents moved away from him. So love him and teach him (be firm but nice) and he will reap benefits. Get help if you need to, perhaps look up a local animal behaviour therapist. If you can't afford a course, one session is beneficial. And if you describe your situation, pehaps a true dog lover would be willing to offer you advice.

Cut the crap about the dog being dumped on you. It's YOUR dog. "I never wanted him.." etc, is rubbish. You are an adult, not a child. Saying you never wanted him in the first place is a pathetic excuse to want to get rid of a dog.

Importantly- Take him to a vet. It sounds like he needs a very thorough check up, which all animals should have every once in a while. There may well be an under-lying illness for his behaviour and perhaps he is suffering more than you care to even find out. So get your 'buddy' looked at. If you're still not owning up to the fact that you are this dogs owner/master/family and are heartless enough to abandon him then give him to a good loving home. Put ad's up everywhere if you have to. Euthanasia shouldn't even be an option.

P.s. What's your grandparents problem? I'm surprised they don't want responsibility if you really can't take him away with you.

 

I don't know if everyone misread the original post or took it the wrong way, but I have no intention of putting him under - never would I walk into the vet and opt for that.

Giving him away isn't an option because 1) he would literally end up killing himself, and I have to use actual force to grab and restrain him because he has almost a sort of panic attack when he doesn't know where he's at, since he can't see. 2) I am attached to him - I couldn't give him away to someone who would take him somewhere where I know for a fact he would never be happy at.

The option of putting him to sleep is coming from my GRANDPARENTS - who do help me with him. They are in their mid 70's, already have two dogs and spend time with my dog and take care of him when I can't be home. It really is a joint effort - someone is with him 24/7.

please close thread.

 

No need to close thread, you asked for opinions and you got them.

I think the animal lovers among us are shocked that anyone could even question putting an animal to sleep if they didn't have to.

If you honestly believe that it'd be barbaric to have him put to sleep and you think that it's wrong for you to do so just because he's hard work then you are completely right. Don't even question it. I had a dog put to sleep when he was a year old and it broke my heart. My family and I still don't know if we did the best thing. Do what's best for him.

 

I'm going to agree with the negitive opinions of you in this thread. Moving is no reason to have to get rid of a dog. I live with my parents with my fiancee because I know that I couldn't get an appartment with as many animals as I have. But, they are your responsibility for life, thats the deal when you take them on. Having him put down is bullshit IMHO.

Considering he is a "senior" dog, why don't you see if you can't find a seniors home that will take him, I did it when I was working for a shelter for this golden retreiver who was older than moses. He'd have lots of people that loved him, and no he wouldn't kill himself. If you don't want him anymore it's YOUR responsiblility to find him a suitable healthy home, to put him down because I'm sorry you are just too lazy to do the work is pretty awful.

 

My post never insinuated that you WANTED to put the dog down. You asked a question: "Should I put my dog to sleep?" I responded, in a round about way, "probably not, you need more information." I hope you took my suggestion to take the dog to the vet seriously. It sounds like you need some professional advice. If he is in pain, he needs treatment.

 

I've come to the discussion late. You've probably done what you had to do.

It comes down to is there anyone who will look after his needs? If there isn't then you have to ask yourself: Does he trust you, does he feel comfortable with you? Then it's your role to help him transition. It's not cruel it's not heartless it's the most humane result. Especially with a blind dog. They rely on their people for protection. This is the ultimate act of protection and support you can give to an animal.

Then the answer is you owe it to him to help him cross over. You need to make the appointment. You need to hold him and reassure him that you are with him, and you need to say goodbye. And you don't need to apologize to anyone.

Go gently Buster.

 

When the day comes for me to put Maximilian down, I'll have only one request. Provide two syringes.

As for your dog, I suggest letting him live out his natural life at home. As for human elders, it is a burden, but a temporary one. Ask what you would want if you were the dog, and act accordingly.

 

thats pretty selfish...you should at least ask for a third one for the dog

 

I'm going to put another perspective out here, even though this discussion is an old one.

Sometimes putting a dog down is not the worst of all solutions. This is an elderly dog who would be extraordinarily difficult to adopt out or find a home for, who has some special needs and health conditions that need to be taken care of, and who has, through no fault of his own, lost or is in the process of losing his home.

Sometimes the kindest thing we can do for a pet is to have them put to sleep at a familiar vet, with the people they know and love around them. I do think this is infinitely more humane than 'giving the dog away' to a stranger who will likely end up having to do the same thing when any further chance of finding the dog a good home has been exhausted. (In many/most rescue groups, dogs over about 8 that come in are either automatically euthanized or considered sanctuary cases due to the extreme difficulty in adopting them out.)

It does not look to me like this problem is urgent- you're not moving yet, you say- but you need to get his medical issues taken care of. (Frankly, there's a good chance that'll help with his mental issues.) Talk to your vet. See what you can do to improve his quality of life. He's a very cute dog, but is he on a regular grooming schedule? It seems like a little thing,b ut if he's goign a long time between groomings, that may actually be a factor in the skin problems.

11 is old but not ancient for a SHih Tzu, a breed that regularly lives into their mid-teens and some basic stuff (anti-inflammatories to deal with any arthritis, glucosimine/chondritin supplements, maybe something like anipryl for the confusion- all of these are things that most vets will suggest for a senior dog) may totally return him to 'his old self', although he probably IS missing the rest of his family. He'll get over that, but you can't neglect BASIC care just because you think he's going to die soon.