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My dog was put to sleep today
The Mangler
Posts: 1,890 Forum Member
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Deefer, the family's border collie was put to sleep today at the age of 10 and a half. He has snapped and turned a couple of times, but most of the time was the most amazing soft pooch who would roll around on the floor with my kids, play tug of war with them, bounce with them on the trampoline etc. But this morning while sitting quietly having a gentle stroke of his head, he turned on my eldest then when I put my arm up to get him away he bit me too. The dog was ridden with guilt, he wouldnt come back in the house for ages and when he did just nestled up to my feet and rolled over time and time again.
We both needed hospital treatment but we knew what we had to do. He allowed the vet to muzzle him and let her give him the sedative. Then he turned again and even after two doses of sedation was still curling his lip and trying to bite her. The vet explained it was a brain problem like a split personality, a red rage would come over him and he wouldnt even remember it except he was filled with guilt at something but with no knowledge of what. She agreed it was in deefs best interests because he was not going to enjoy life any longer.
He passed away and we held him and loved him and kissed him, saying our thanks for 10 wonderful years with just a couple of blips.
Sorry everybody, I needed to write this down but didnt know where else to put it. It really feels like my heart is breaking, Ive got three children Ive just held as they sobbed in bed too.
RIP Deef, my best mate
We both needed hospital treatment but we knew what we had to do. He allowed the vet to muzzle him and let her give him the sedative. Then he turned again and even after two doses of sedation was still curling his lip and trying to bite her. The vet explained it was a brain problem like a split personality, a red rage would come over him and he wouldnt even remember it except he was filled with guilt at something but with no knowledge of what. She agreed it was in deefs best interests because he was not going to enjoy life any longer.
He passed away and we held him and loved him and kissed him, saying our thanks for 10 wonderful years with just a couple of blips.
Sorry everybody, I needed to write this down but didnt know where else to put it. It really feels like my heart is breaking, Ive got three children Ive just held as they sobbed in bed too.
RIP Deef, my best mate
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Comments
Did your children ever tease the dog/ push it to far?
Josephine - no, they respected him, he would come and play with them. My children are all above the age of 7 and have been brought up amongst animals so know to treat them with the utmost respect. We sought the adcice of professionals early on who told us all the tricks, we all fed him, we made sure he knew where he stood in the 'pack', but the vet said it was not a case of bad management or anything to do with how he had been treated or brought up, it was simply a brain disorder.
You rely on your Vets advice at the end of the day and OP you did your best for as long as you could. Don't cut yourself up about it, even if you saved him, how long before you would have been in the same situation? XX
Poor Deefer, but as others have said, perhaps he had a problem that would only have got worse, and being such a lovely dog so far he wouldn't have wanted to cause you all any harm
RIP Deefer, and best wishes to the rest of the family x.
RIP Deefer.
xx
thankyou all again, for your good wishes and sympathy.
RIP Deefer.
I always say that if you don't love your pets you shouldn't have them so it's not stupid to be upset when the time comes......
RIP Deefer xx
I know he'll be missed, but at least he was peaceful.
Imagine if he had badly bitten one of your children on the face?
You had no choice Mangler,you will come to realise this soon.
Such a shame.xx
Time will help and you'll soon remember the good times. You gave Deefer a loving home for more than 10 years and did the right thing by him at the end.
I'm so sorry for your loss,
DC
xxx
RIP Deefer.
That actually brought a wee tear to my eye.... I know what I'd be like if I lost my dog
Sorry to hear what happened
As a child we had a Cocker Spaniel that was much the same - could be a lovely dog but he would just turn. Eventually he turned on my sister and took her hand apart - my mother struggled to get him off. There was only one option after that, as sad as it was.
To begin with we were very upset, even my sister - despite his aggression we loved him. But it passed in time. There are happy memories, but my parents did the right thing. As did you.
So sorry to just read your dreadful news ... hope you decide to get another dog sometime in the future !!!!
It broke my heart when he eventually died, as I am sure it has yours..but from what your vet described, it sounds like he has been spared years of confusion and guilt
xxx