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I'll start with what happened and finish with a rant.
DH picked up a stray Chihuahua at the golf course. Called me. I moaned. I told him to bring him to me at work. A coworker wanted the dog, so good. But he wanted it for his little girl and I thought we should have it vet checked first, lest the dog be sick and the child broken hearted. Good thing we did. The little dog was about 12 years old with a serious heart murmur. The vet told me the dog was in a bad way. Starving and very sick. The vet and I agreed the best thing to do was to put him down. Health was not going to be improved and we would have massive vet bills and a broken heart. So, he's probably passed over the bridge by now. We rescued him from further hunger, pain, and suffering.
Now the rant. A coworker who is one dog shy of being on pet hoarders and never takes them to the vet actually got very angry with me for my decision. She said "but he was walking around!" Yea, and Soko was walking and barked at another dog, but was dead inside 3 days. She slammed her chair against her desk. I'm upset about the dog, but strong in my decision, plus the vet's recommendation. But oh things I want to say to her. Then I get home to DH who is grieving and said he wanted to take care of it until it died. I get that. He's a softy. But we just dropped $400 on Aslan and Lucy for annuals and meds. I told him to just give more love to the ones we already have. He'll be fine in a day or two.
But the girl at work had better step back. Whether you agree with someone's decision or not, unless you're the one going through it, don't judge.
Ok, rant over. Rest in much deserved comfort and peace little "Chico".

Sandra, I am so sorry that you had to go through this experience and sorry for the poor dog who, thankfully, was rescued before he suffered even more. Your co-worker was out of line when she made critical comments about your choice when she wasn't the one who would be responsible for the after-math of vet bills...

I do have just one suggestion, if I might? PLEASE call all local animal shelters/vet's offices in your area and relate the description and end result. Not sure but it just might be that someone out there lost "Chico" (since he was elderly and apparently starving when your dh found him). If they weren't able to find him, they might rest easier knowing he is no longer suffering....

I agree with your decision wholeheartedly. I just watched a relative keep her dog alive even after the vet told them how serious the dog's health was. I watched this dog turn into a mess of sores and suffering and cried everytime I left their house. Mercifully, the dog finally died after six months.

Now this relative is saying they think they're going to get another dog. I know the took good care of the dog for her lifetime but I can't understand how they could let this dog suffer so much because they couldn't stand to lose her.

It is never an easy decision to put a dog down but I also believe you did what was best for the poor little dog.

IR, I thought about it. We did search the locals for a lost one. There wasn't anything. And the way people around here think, they would probably sue is for "killing" him. If anyone was worried, I would have seen notices. This is a small town and lost pets get plenty of press.
There comes a time for all of us when our resources have to be considered. And we're maxed out. I think we've done very well. Aslan was rescued after living in a fenced yard with no human contact for 2 years. He had heart worms. He was a huge jerk to me. Now he's my buddy and tips the scales at 131. Healthy as a horse. Lucy and Skipper were rescued from the shelter the day before the needle. We took in 4 cats that found us. We can't save them all. And we couldn't save "Chico". We didn't have him tested beyond his exam, so who knows what else was wrong. He's at rest now and I'm ever so thankful for the healthy herd we have and just enough money to give them the best.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: SandraS,

I'm sorry about Chico. I would have done the same thing you did. I hope if it ever comes down to it, I would have the courage to do the same. I think it does take courage on our part. I hope your fur babies, as well as my 5 cats stay healthy and happy for many years.

Volunteering for a spay/neuter and fostering organization, I have heard too many stories that make one wonder if some people even have hearts? Glad the little dog ended up with you.

We had volunteers who actually saw an owner dump an old dog at a park.
Before they realized what was happening, the lady got back in and the car drove away, and no plate number was noted.
The poor little thing was scared, full of fleas, parasites and mostly blind. It was taken in and treated and got to live another year and a half in a loving home.
Very sweet dog, how could someone do that?

I found out today that the little guy is still on this side of the bridge. Legally they have to hold him 10 days and make every effort to find his family. I'd like to find them, too. But now my heart is breaking. He's blind, has a urinary tract infection, massive heart disease. And I want to quit my job, go get him, and hold him until the end. They called to tell me they were posting his pic and info on Facebook so I wouldn't be surprised. Gee, thanks.
The reality is, Aslan tolerates Skipper. I can't put any of us through this. In talking to the vet today, she made it clear his days are numbered, no matter what. He's getting plenty of love and care. I just feel so sad.

SandraS, Of course you feel sad; anyone with a heart would feel the same under these circumstances. I have to say that I am glad the clinic is taking the time to give "Chico" every opportunity to be re-united with his family if simply being lost was the case.

And, if not, at least he was treated with respect, care and love before he crosses the bridge and you are the one that made that happen. So, yes, feel sad - only means that you and all of us are human - but know you did your best in a very difficult situation. Thank you on "Chico's" behalf...

Sandra, I am so sorry. You know how I feel about things like this. I took my friends sheltie to work with me after he had been sick and after two weeks Derby seemed to have gotten sicker. Derby was 12 and a seemed to be in perfect health up until he was not doing so well. I took him in originally because he had a slight limp. Poor Derby apparently was riddled with cancer. I was on my way into the bathroom and saw this XRay on the monitor and made the comment "good heaven that poor animal is filled with cancer" It was Derby. I have never cried so hard. My friend could not be there so I called her to tell her the terrible news. Maureen was devastated since she is one of the top sheltie breeders in the country, and Derby was one of her top dogs. I vowed I would never ever do this again.

Since I work at the clinic we see all sorts of animals "found" and brought into us by good samaritans. Several times we have gotten older very sick animals that are not going to make it. WE do make an attempt to find the owners, but by law here when an animal is brought in this sick and near death the vet can decide weather or not to put the animal down. THis is the reason here for the "good Samaritan Law" By law we are not required to spend weeks looking for an owner if the animal has no chip or collar and it very sick. We love all the animals that come in there. We saved BooBoo the bait pit bull that was left to die on the road. BooBoo is now doing wonderfully, but not all animals do. It's so easy to say how you would you would try and find the owner, yet are you the one paying it's bill for the extensive care it needs, are you the one coming in everyday to be there with it, are you the one pouring out all your heart to this animal just to find it's owner? I can say probably not. When you are then bless you. If you aren't then what you have is just your opinion and nothing more. TRy it sometime. Then see if you can handle it. I doubt it. Words and opinions are just that until you become totally involved. actively involved

This message has been edited. Last edited by: SheltiesMom,

rescues are like potato chips. Once you start, it's hard to stop. I learned early on that I'm one person. For every one I rescue, I leave behind who knows how many that will die. I know I can't take on a dog marked with special needs. I don't have the time or resources, but someone else does. I know some dogs won't fit in with our family. But they will with another family. You have to keep your head about you. We are not equipped to foster. DH would never let them leave. Bless those who can and do. It's very sad and hard to turn away, but the time comes when there's nothing else you can do.

Sandra it is very hard. I used to be the one who took in any "in need" sheltie with special needs. I had 14 at one point all at once. Dogs abused, neglected or Abondoned. I took the older and sicker ones no one wanted. It is a lot of work, especially when it is just me, I got calls all the time. It killed me to say no. All I could think of was the ones I could not take...thedy were either going to be put to sleep or never get a forever home and die alone. Too many rescues are so crowded it is hard for them to give these poor babies all the time or attention they may require. WE deal with many here at the clinic. The rescues all say not enough volunteers, or people wanting the animals. Even the breed specific rescues are hurting.

It seems easy to give advice, but do these people actually know what really happens Sandra we both know it is not easy to just walk away from an injured animal or one in need. They grab your heart and won't let go. It really hurts and you just can't seem to let go. This is what someone who truly loves an animal does, not just give advice or their opinion on what others should do.

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They grab your heart and won't let go.

This is why when I need to go petfood shopping I go early in the morning on the weekend or during the week. If I go on the weekend I have to go before the adoption groups get set up. It tears at my heart that I can't take another dog home. I have 3 plus an indoor cat and several outdoor kitties. I could afford another as I did have 4 dogs but Butch crossed the bridge last October and I have space for another but for now I will be traveling for work more so don't feel it is good to bring in a stranger right now. But over 4 which I have been tempted...I just don't have room in my 1962 built home for any more animals. I do try to donate if I end up being there when the groups are there.

yes Debi, I hear this. We have many animals that have been abonded at the clinic and I fall in love with each one of them. There is a beautiful cat at the clinic now. His owner died and the kitty never left the owners side for three days before the owner was found. We at work all love him and couln't bear to part with him...so he is a clinic cat, No one can take him home since we all have several animals already. It's a hazard of working at a vet clinic. I really wany Bert (the clinic cat) but several of my dogs would kill him and Bert is terrified of dogs. I am hap;py we decided to keep him, because he is such a love.

Here's Bert sitting on my work laptop

This message has been edited. Last edited by: SheltiesMom,

What a sweet cat--reminds me of the story of Dewey the library cat--the cat who was found in the book drop and stayed for many years at the library. I totally understand about the dogs, I have one with a prey instinct and when my kids bring home their cats we have to keep them behind barriers. It's not that the dogs are bad, they can't help chasing and destroying smaller animals.

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Originally posted by SandraS:
Now the rant. A coworker who is one dog shy of being on pet hoarders and never takes them to the vet actually got very angry with me for my decision.

It's heartbreaking to hear yet another story about having to put a dog down. It's so hard to do. After all the stress you went through your co-worker should have been more understanding. Maybe local officials should be informed about this co-workers abundance of pets that are not well cared for, could be a lot of suffering going on there too.

My dogs are weird with their prey instinct...outside in the yard a cat has no chance...with 3 used to be 4 dogs chasing it there is no way to escape. But inside they have no issues with the cat...they mostly ignore him. I was worried when I brought Punkin inside when he got sick and knew he would then become an inside cat how they would react but there have been no issues at all. I would love to get Punkin a companion but again I think I am already topped out with the number of animals I can take full and good care of.

Debicga, you are lucky about the prey instinct. Mine has it everywhere. She just wants to track, pounce and destroy. Some dogs are just that way, not mean but they just can't handle small animals.