missing my boy's dog...

[centexchick]

We had to put our son's dog down on Sunday. He had major tummy issues and made things worse by getting in the garbage on Saturday and eating plastic. Needless to say, Cleaning up diarrhea on Sunday morning all over the kitchen was no fun (have been doing this every month for the past 6 years.) His belly was swollen and he wasn't eating. My husband took a huge paycut so money is tight...... We couldn't afford to have emergency surgery on him. So we made the decision (altough a completely selfish one) to have him put down.

For 6 years, if his food changed, if he ate something he shouldn't have, or for any other unknown reason...Bear would have explosive diarrhea. It was terrible. The time before this one was much worse. It didn't matter if he was in his kennel, right next to me, or just in the house....he would not tell us he had to go out if this was happening....we would just wake up to the disaster.

My son is devestated, as am I. These two were becoming inseperable. They would go hang out in the trees behind our house and explore everything together. I knew that Bear would watch over Cole. I am a terrible momma and have broken my little boy's heart. It is a terrible thing, but all in all it is for the best. I just hope and pray that my little one will forgive me for making this decision.

To top it all off, the guy who bred Bear has unfriended us and refuses to speak to us because I had this done. I guess I should have offered the dog to him and let him deal with the mess....ugh. I hate making decisions.


cliff notes....dog, diarrhea, in house, sick, put down, boy devestated, friend won't talk to us, I suck at being a mom.....

[Cooter]

that sucks

I don't think you planned for this to happen... Don't beat yourself up over it.

You'll get another dog some day and it'll work out MUCH better

[LS1Goat]

First of all, you are being way too self-critical. You're not a bad mother. The dog obviously had a history of some unknown stomach disorder to be so sensitive to changes in diet. It is devastating to lose a pet or to have to put a pet down for financial or medically ethical reasons. If you don't have the money, you don't have the money. It's something your little boy won't understand at the moment, but it was right for you and your husband. Try and look at it that way. And if the breeder has broken off all ties with you over this, then he'll have to get over it. People have to make tough decisions sometimes. Sorry about the dog.

[centexchick]

Thanks guys. Yes I am being overly critical. Damn but I miss him. It sucks and I will get over it...just had to get it out....

I would rather to have done this then to take him to a shelter and have a stranger adopt him and then potentially abuse him because of his issues. The vet never could find anything wrong with him...It sucks

[Kyle]

Unfortunately these issues happen.

1. The breeder should understand. This guy is obviously full of himself to think that his pups are immune to having things like this happen!
2. You did what you thought was best with what you had to work with. No one can fault you for that.
3. Your son will cope with it. As kids, we probably all lost an animal at some point. I had my fair share and turned out ok.
4. Let a little time pass and get him another dog. Puppies are always fun to start with!!

Don't beat yourself up over everything. Dogs get sick, have or develop problems, just like people do. Unfortunately for them sometimes it's easier to put them down. My g/f's dad's dog had an issue where his stomach somehow got twisted. The vet wanted $2k for the surgery, but in reality he could have bought 10 for the same price. I know you can't replace the loyalty, but a new dog will make its own friendships and at the end of the day all will be right in the world.

[Saleen781]

You made the right decision, don't beat yourself up over it. I have a 3 yr old son so I know what it's like to dissapoint them or do things they don't understand. He will forget and forgive and so should you.

[Sean88gt]

Sucks Dana. After we put or rott down I couldn't give 2 shits about animals.

Your son will be fine in a few days.

[46Tbird]

Seriously, you are being WAY too hard on yourself. Stop being so apologetic and feeling like you failed in this situation in any way.

The dog had serious issues that were unresolvable. Even if you had all the money in the world, that dog wasn't gonna do anything but shit on it.

Your son is going to be down for a while about it, that's natural. Stop feeling guilty and give him some lessons on handling stressful, sad situations.

[Lone Sailor]

Unfortunately these issues happen.

1. The breeder should understand. This guy is obviously full of himself to think that his pups are immune to having things like this happen!
2. You did what you thought was best with what you had to work with. No one can fault you for that.
3. Your son will cope with it. As kids, we probably all lost an animal at some point. I had my fair share and turned out ok.
4. Let a little time pass and get him another dog. Puppies are always fun to start with!!

Don't beat yourself up over everything. Dogs get sick, have or develop problems, just like people do. Unfortunately for them sometimes it's easier to put them down. My g/f's dad's dog had an issue where his stomach somehow got twisted. The vet wanted $2k for the surgery, but in reality he could have bought 10 for the same price. I know you can't replace the loyalty, but a new dog will make its own friendships and at the end of the day all will be right in the world.

That pretty much sums up my thoughts on the matter as well.

[centexchick]

I now know why I like guys over most (note most) girls. Y'all are much more reasonable. We will take some time before getting another dog. It's best to let things settle and let the kid get used to the idea. Our cat is 17 and on her last leg too so we will just wait and see....

I figured if I said something on here, y'all would have a sensible way of looking at it. Thanks for all the support...

[Osiris]

In before GTChick

[JC316]

It sucks when that happens. My rottweiler had a bad case of heart worms a few years back and I had a choice to make, either pay $3000 for a cat scan, or put him down, he took the decision out of my hands and died a mile from the vet. He was like a family member, but I just couldn't afford the 3 grand and it wasn't going to save him anyway. Next day I got a new rottie puppy.

[Wicked98Snake]

The fact that you care this much and are giving yourself such a hard time over the situation shows that you really aren't a bad parent. Some of the things actual bad parents do is pretty shitty, you sound like you're one of the good ones.

[89stangGT]

It sucks when that happens. My rottweiler had a bad case of heart worms a few years back and I had a choice to make, either pay $3000 for a cat scan, or put him down, he took the decision out of my hands and died a mile from the vet. He was like a family member, but I just couldn't afford the 3 grand and it wasn't going to save him anyway. Next day I got a new rottie puppy.

under $100 per year for heartworm treatment would've prevented that. that's what it's for.

[idrivea4banger]

In before GTChick

why?