I had to put down my pet yesterday...

[Primal Instinct]

I had two dogs that are 3 months apart in age at about 8-1/2 years old. They are both the same breed and came from the same breeder. One had developed lymphosarcoma (lymphatic cancer) and had tumors come on rather quickly. The dogs grew up together have seldom been apart. The dog that I had to have put down was starting to have difficulty breathing and basically had trouble eating and drinking due to a large tumor growth in his throat area. His breathing had become shallow and labored, and he actually collapsed on two occasions in one week. I couldn't stand to let him suffer any longer.

The other dog knew there was a problem with his sibling and it was evident that he understood the severity of his condition. The problem I am having now is that this remaining dog never liked to be seperated from the other dog for any oeriod of time and would howl (seperation anxiety) when I took the now deceased dog for a haircut. He has been quiet and sleeping alot since yesterday and seems quite sad. Prior to all of this, the vet recommended that the dog would not be able to handle a long term seperation from his brother. I don't want to get another dog right now, as I feel I'm not ready for one but maybe I should if the remaining dog stays depressed. Anyone have experience with this type of situation?

[funniirishman]

Man, that is tough. I have had a similiar situation and was faced with much the same dilemma that you are in now.

In my situation I also wondered about getting another animal and after alot of pondering decided against it so soon, I didn't want it to be a knee jerk reaction and then have an animal I didn't really connect with.

What I did do though was make a point of taking him out more frequently and having him interact with other dogs. In the area I live dog parks are everywhere and so I took him there often to have him socialize with other dogs and play. It seemed to help, and he now goes apeshit for our trips. Alot of what I think was happening is that he had known no other way or interaction with other animals. Another thing that I did, was I crated him in my truck and took him to work for a few days, had lunch and breaks with him..not sure if that would be an option for you..regardless, losing a pet you are close to sucks and I am sorry for your loss. Hope this helps-FI

[Timber]

Aww man I'm so sorry, I'm a big Dog guy myself and understand too well the loss for you and the remaining pet. Just remember there just like you and me. They need there time to grieve but they will move on quicker than you and I will. The best thing to do is spend a lot of time with Him/her and let it pass.

[cowgirl]

I work with dogs & also have many as pets. First, a dog at the age of yours would not appriciate a new dog, unless it was a older mellow dog of the opposite sex.

Is there anyway you can keep this dog with you? I'm spoiled, my dogs are with me 24/7. But not everyone can do that.

Adopting an older dog is the best bet if you can't keep him with you. Dogs are like people, finding a buddy takes a few trys. You know when they like each other right off the bat or if they are disinterested or worse, resentful.

Good luck and I'm sorry for your loss.

[Puddles]

I don't have any advice but I wanted to wish you the best, it's tough putting down your animal.

[Primal Instinct]

Thanks for the advice and support everyone. I will ride it out for a while and see how this thing unwinds. I have been spending all of my spare time with him for now and we played a bunch today on the floor and anytime I go outside I bring him with me. I will try to keep him occupied as much as I can and see if I can't ease his transition to being the only dog in the house. It will take much time and love but he's worth it ;)

Thanks again everyone! :D

[poppavic]

I'm sorry for your loss man. I don't mean to take anything away from your loss by telling this story, but I know how you feel about the loss. I left my dog with some FRIENDS this past summer while I spent some time in Europe and when I came back I came back to the news that these mutherfuckers had called the pound to come pick up my dog.
They had let him wonder of and when he came back he came back limping. They told me it look pretty bad (broken leg) and since they couldn't take care of him or get a hold of me they decided that the pound could take care of it. They put him down because there wasn't anybody to take care of the expenses of setting his leg. This was the best friend I had, he was with me at times that I could barely feed myself, much less feed him. He was by my side when I had nothing, and he loved my no matter what and these "friends" let him get put down because they couldn't ffot the bill ti lI got back.

I'm really sorry for your loss... Like I said I don't mean to tell my story over yours it just felt like the right place to tell it...

[Primal Instinct]

Wow poppavic, that is just heart breaking. I'm sorry for your loss, especially since you were blindsided by it when you returned from abroad. To put a dog down for a broken leg is just upsetting to me. There is always a way to accomodate such expenses. I don't know how I'd react to that person after finding out such news. Again, my condolences.

[Lmg2701]

I'm really sorry to hear that bro. I know what it's like to lose an animal that you've been with for a long time. I had a dog from the time I was around 3 until I was about 15 or 16. It also had cancer but it was in its stomach. It would occasionally pass blood and get sick but it would go away a few days later. Then finally one week it got really bad. It wouldn't stop passing blood and it stopped eating. Tore me apart when that dog died. I'm sorry that I don't have any info. on the other dog situation for you, but I do understand what you're going through. Maybe ask the vet what would be the best course of action.

[imonboardtoo]

Sorry PI. Dogs are among the best things in this world. Dogs are really true friends, always willing to be there for ya.

I hope your other dog snaps out of it. Good luck.

[bad14u]

Sorry for your loss Bro! It's like losing a child when your pets are your children! I imagine the other dog feels the loss as well...the best thing to do right now is you two spend time together to help fill the void. Getting another dog could be good or bad, you won't know til you got the other dog though! Good luck!

[meat12]

sorry to hear bro

[Primal Instinct]

Thanks guys!

Update:

Although my remaining dog goes everywhere with me when I can take him and I play with him a lot, he just isn't eating very much at all. I think it's depression but I can't be sure. Animals can experience the same emotions as people in many cases. Either way, he's lost a few pounds in a week now and I have had to give him a few high calorie dog treats to see that he gets in the calories. He was a little bit fat, so it's not that bad for him physically just yet but I think that he's definitely lonely. He howls when I leave the house and lays around looking all sad most of the time.

Anyway, I've done some online research and I will be picking up a new puppy of the same breed tomorrow evening. I think that he is just too socialized to be alone and because of a currently slow work schedule, I can handle training a puppy right now. I hope that this pulls him through because he has to start eating again soon. Of course, the new puppy will get a fair amount of loving too, lol. I'll post a couple of pics soon.

[Shibby]

what's the breed?

[Primal Instinct]

he's a food hound, lol.



No, actually he's a cocker spaniel.