Dog Euthenasia Be Cruel To Be Kind

Most people who own a dog, love their dog; that pretty well goes without saying, although a lot of people do like to say it. ‘We love Fido. He’s been part of our family now for fifteen years, ever since the kids were little.’ Etc etc. We’ve all heard it before. But I have to question just how much you love Fido. Enough to kill him?

I know that sounds terrible but I get so frustrated when speaking to dog owners who will not do the right thing when their dog is old and knackered. You see them out walking, urging Fido to ‘C’mon, keep up’, as Fido struggles along ten yards behind, his tongue lolling from his mouth, his stiff old legs lacking the flexibility they used to have. They seem to be forgetting the old ‘dog years’ rule. If old Fido has been around for fifteen years or so, he’s an OLD DOG. Give him a break. I’ll bet you can’t jog around the block like a spring chicken when you are a hundred years old.

But worse than this is when I hear people telling me stories of the trouble old Fido has just lying down, how he turns and shuffles as he prepares for splashdown. And the little whimpers and yelps he emits when he summons up the energy to get up from a lying position. Those are just the bits you hear. Do you think that just because he isn’t making a sound that everything is hunky dory? If he’s in pain getting up or lying down or negotiating stairs that he used to bound up and down, then there’s a good chance he’s in at least some discomfort just laying still, especially on a hard floor.

I recently heard from a friend that his dog that had gone almost completely blind and was possibly suffering some kind of canine dementia (the owners diagnosis), and those ailments combined with the arthritis and skin problems meant that this pooch was in a lot of discomfort whether he was moving or lying down. The owner had only the best intentions. He loved and cared for his dog, carrying him when he could, bathing him with special potions etc, but could not bring himself to do the kindest possible thing and have him put down. Whenever this suggestion was put to him he would get very defensive. “I've had him since he was a puppy.” He would say. “I couldn't bear to lose him.”

Well never mind what you could or couldn't bear. Think about what poor Fido has to bear every day, simply because you don't want to lose him.

Of course I am not suggesting for a moment that you ship old Fido out at the first sign of slowing down. On the contrary; There are some great products out there today that can be of enormous benefit to a dog showing signs of arthritis or the like. But when even these remedies no longer help him, let him go.

He's loved you as long as he's known you. Return the compliment and let him rest in peace.