Yesterday we put Max to sleep and now I'm second guessing our decision. I'll start at the beginning and try to be brief.

We lost two dogs in the past six monts--Buddy in August to Old Age and Dakota in January to Bone Cancer. I miss them terribly--completely heartbroken.

A few weeks ago my husband came home with the picture of a (6-7 year old) Yellow Lab--a woman he works with found this dog abandoned by her neighbors--he was apparently alone for about 2 months, but someone was feeding him. She took him in but could not keep him. I agreed we would take him and give him a good home and a good life.

The woman met us at my sister's house to give us the dog. (His name was Max). After about an hour or so my sister went to pet Max and he bit her. Not a ferocious bite --but enough to break the skin. We all agreed that he only did it because he was nervous and excited and that my sister was wrong in trying to pet him. (However, the woman did give us a Muzzle for him--and now I'm wondering if there was something she didn't tell us).

We brought him home and he was a very good boy (except for chasing the cat--which I was sure would stop soon enough). He was doing well with his commands etc. He needed to be neutered and the Vet said bring him in for a Check- Up first. The whole week that we had him we let him go out in the backyard and he never had any interaction with anyone else but us--we wanted to wait and see how he behaved at the Vet's.

Well, here's the heartbreaking story--we took him to the Vet--and in the waiting room he lunged at a woman's face as she came in the door. I grabbed him and made him sit. Once inside--with the Vet--she was going over some paper work with us and as she came around the Table--Max jumped up (no warning at all) and went right for her face. [This is an extremely compassionate and experienced Vet.] She immediately jumped back and avoided any injury.

After we all calmed down she said she felt he was an aggressive dog and not knowing his history (she even suggested that it might be the reason he was abandoned) suggested we put him down. We hesitatingly agreed.

Now I'm thinking if we overreacted--did we not think this through--made the decision too fast? We'll never now and I feel like we failed this poor dog when all we wanted was to give him a good life.

Any opinions or advice would really be appreciated as I'm sick over this and can't go back and do it over.

Thanks for any help.

First off, I'm very sorry for your lost. Having to loose a furbaby is hard enough, but to have to make that kind of decision is almost unbearable.

We all do what we can with the information we have at that particular moment. I went through something similar when my dog was diagonose with cancer. It was recommended to put her down several times but opted to wait. Even gone as far as made an appointment on my birthday. But I knew I would know "when" it's the appropriate time, or rather my dog Candy would let me know, and she did (2 days later). After that, it's easy to second guess and the what if's come at ya. All you can do is do the best you can and if for some reason you felt you were not given good advise, just learn from it. It sounds like you did the best for him at the time.

I'm truly sorry.

God bless you.

Candy's Dad
Hal

dear luvmypets, plz excuse grammar and abbr. as i am typing with one finger right hand due to broken left arm and wrist but i am fine ...

i c u are so very heart broken. plz accept my deepest sympathies, dear one.



this is terribly sad but you did not overreact. you did do the right thing. i have been in animal rescue and rehabilitation for over 30 years now. judging from all you reported from beginning to end of your post, there was no other choice. i'm so very sorry!

I am winging many loving Angels to and fur kid Max who is now so very happy at Rainbow Bridge!
u r a wonderful person! plz never forget that.

Many Big Comforting Hugs!!!

always,
dottie xoxoxox

Dearest luvmypets, I want very much to share something with you that has brought me many happy tears. I pray, wish and hope it will bring you some small comfort.

Even if you don't have sound but are capable of viewing videos, it's still very much worth watching and will warm your heart. This video is of animals from all over the world. Most were rescued from abuse, abandonment and shelters while others are simply very friendly wild life.

It's a lovely and loving video with the song "Bless the Beasts and the Children" by The Carpenters which begins a little more than 1 and 1/2 minutes into the video.

Please click on The Rainbow Bridge image below with your volume turned up.





I dedicate this to you luvmypets, and all human Angels like yourself who do their best to rescue abandoned, neglected and abused animals.

God bless you most abundantly!!!

Always,
Dottie xoxoxox

Thank you Candy's Dad and Dottie for your kind words and understanding. I don't know if this makes sense, but I miss Max and I think I'm also grieving for the life he could have had with us. Such a loss of a beautiful dog and probably because of his irresponsible original family. Thanks again.

IF-- that has got to be the biggest word in the dictionary according to me.
You did the best you could for the situation. Max's past may have been so bad he never would have recovered from it. You gave him a wonderful chance at a great life don't ever be sorry for that, but also don't blame him for his reactions. I'm sure it was the way he was raised.
Eveything that happens- happens for a reason good or bad. We may never be able to answer all the what if's.

You are a good person for at least giving Max the chance.

Hugs to you and the new angel Max!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi, luvmypets, please permit me to offer you my sincerest sympathies in the loss of your beloved Max. Losing a beloved companion is never easy regardless of the circumstances or how long we have been blessed with the privilege of their company. Unfortunately aggression is one of the top 5 reasons why companion animals are euthanized, and unfortunately, your vet offered you the best option for Max and for you. I know this is horrible - - I was faced with a similar potential situation with my number one kitty son Eli when he was less than a year old. Because Max showed such aggression with so many people in a short period of time it is highly unlikely he would have responded to any behavioral modification training. And legally speaking, Max's aggressive behavior would have put you at great risk were he to become so aggressive in an attack that would lead to maiming - or the death of - - someone. I know your heart is broken, and the "rationalization" right now does not help, but your vet gave you the very best option. Whatever was causing Max's aggression is now healed and he is enjoying a perfect life in heaven's perfect garden. The next time you see Max he will be happily greeting you with a thankful and loving heart. This grief journey is a difficult one, particularly in the beginning when we always second guess our decisions, and the what if's are just so overpowering. But it is a journey you do not have to travel alone. We are here for you for as long and as often as you need us, luvmypets. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers, and please let us know how you're doing.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam