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[Nella]

I had to put my dog to sleep this morning. He was only 7 months old and I'd only had him a month. Now I feel beaten down. I feel like it's my fault.

[ferretchucker]

Why'd he have to be put down?

[hammerfan]

What happened?

[Doc Faustus]

Jesus! I'm sorry. That's always awful, but don't blame yourself. All kinds of things happen to dogs.

[Nella]

He was either poisoned or he had a pre-existing condition. The vet told me he had necrosis of the lips and tongue. His gums were infected and she said his teeth were dead. He couldn't even open his mouth. I had noticed he had bad breath but I thought that was just typical for a male dog being around a female dog who's "in season." I was gonna get them both fixed on Thursday. The only reason I noticed anything was because I let the dogs out early this morning and he came back in with his tongue hanging out of the side of his mouth. He had been eating and drinking and he was energetic. I had both dogs groomed last week. The vet said she thought I didn't notice it before because he had long fur around his mouth. I feel so bad about this. How could I not know? She told me that there's a poison strong enough to take effect within a short time frame and that it's been out of circulation for 20 years. I didn't want to put him through a bunch of tests so I'll never know what caused it. She believes this didn't happen over night. Dogs don't always show symptoms right away. I know I did the right thing because she told me it was a life and death matter. I can't stand to think about him suffering.

[hammerfan]

Nella, that's horrible. My neighbor went through a similar situation with her dog a year or so ago.

I'm sorry you had to go through this. It's the drawback to having and loving pets. Been there, done that.

You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

[Nella]

Thanks. It's really hard because my 12 year old dog had cancer and I had her put down a few days before I got my puppy.

[La Chat Noire]

I'm so sorry...losing a pet feels like losing a part of your family. My thoughts are with you.

[Vodstok]

Our last dog had a condition where all of her fluids were draining into her chest cavity. we didnt notice it until it was too late, although we went ahead and tried anyway to treat it. It was awful and almost killed my wife, she adored that dog. Some types of pets have to get beyond saving before they show that somethign is wrong. Dogs and rats are two i can think of off the top of my head. they are stoic and wont let on that something is wrong.

[hammerfan]

Our last dog had a condition where all of her fluids were draining into her chest cavity. we didnt notice it until it was too late, although we went ahead and tried anyway to treat it. It was awful and almost killed my wife, she adored that dog. Some types of pets have to get beyond saving before they show that somethign is wrong. Dogs and rats are two i can think of off the top of my head. they are stoic and wont let on that something is wrong.


It's the same with cats, Vod. I didn't know anything was wrong with Taylor until it was too late.

[Vodstok]

Yeah, with MJ, we noticed her stomahc was getting bloated, and she kept throwing up clear liquid. She held on pretty well, and tried to eat and be normal, but in the end she couldnt. she couldnt keep any food down, and finally Bree put her outside to go to the bathroom after she lost control on the couch, and after a while, she went out to check on her and she was just sitting in a corner, shaking, she couldnt really move any more.

I had taken Lily out and we were having some daddy-daughter time when Bree called and told me I had to come to the vet because they were going to put her down.

On the same type of note, our rats both got sick around the same time. Mine was infested with tumors, and shortly thereafter Bree's developed some too. We had them both put down at once, since mine was going to die on her own soon and Bree's had developed them so deep in her muscle tissue that they couldnt operate on them. I was crushed, even moreso than when our dog died.

[hammerfan]

It's so heartbreaking........I still can't talk about Taylor without getting teary-eyed. He was my everything. I still have the poem that Heather wrote for me when he died.

[ferretchucker]

Wow, sorry for your loss. But it was probably nicer for him to go while he was still happy. And don't blame yourself. It sounds like he was just unlucky.

[Nella]

Thanks for the support. I'm so sorry you all had to go through this kind of hell on earth. My animals are my babies and best friends. They always love us unconditionally, don't they? I've lost 4 dogs in 12 years. I have my 4 year old female here. I looked at her teeth and didn't like what I saw. I took her for a checkup. For her age, her teeth are bad. The vet said it's because she eats pecans. She's been eating them all her life! I have to make an appointment to have her teeth cleaned. I'm gonna take her to my regular vet. The local vets charge way too much, although my dogs are worth it. You can't put a price on their health. I don't have insurance, though. Do any of you have pics of your babies? All of mine have been miniature schnauzers.

http://www.angelwebdesign.com/nella/schnauzer.gif

Chatnoire: Thanks!

Doc and Ferret, I also appreciate your reading and replying to this thread. Ferret, I noticed in the other thread that you have had fish. Do you have any other pets?

[Leprucky Cougar]

Sorry for your loss. I too, offer my thoughts and prayers.

[pinkfloyd45769]

I hate losing animals,its why i never get animals.I just share a puppy now,i hope nothing happens to her:(
Nella,i wish you didnt have to go through this but i can assure you that you did the right thing.You are a better person for not letting your dog suffer,alot of idiots do.I hope you feel better and just keep your pet in your heart forever:)

[Nella]

The breeder I bought my dog from made me an offer. He called a friend who has a 5 month old puppy. This guy's mother's having medical problems, he's having to take care of her, and he needs a good home for the dog.

I've bought two dogs from this breeder and he knows I still have the 4 year old. Both men feel terrible because I've lost two pets a month apart.

I'm amazed by the kindness of strangers! :)

Here are my pros and cons:

*I feel kind of suspicious but I can check his health out while I'm there.
*The dog won't cost me anything but he'd be worth it anyway
*Star's used to having another dog in the house, and so am I.
*I want to see the puppy.

Should I wait a while?
Is it okay to get another pet at all?
I can't deal with any more grief and guilt.
I got Ben right after Tessa died and I felt guilty then.
In fact, when I realize Tessa was dying, I panicked and started looking for another dog. :o
I feel like a criminal!
I want another dog and this puppy needs a home now.
I know I won't be trying to replace either one of my other dogs. It's not possible.
I guess I need to sleep on this and work around my budget.

There's New Hope!

[Phalanx]

My dog was poisoned, by somebody who has supposedly baited other animals around the area he was staying...here's hoping that's not the case with yours, as I can't imagine it being...painless.
I know it's no consolation now, but, trust me - knowing a dog for longer would be even harder on you, I'd had mine for 11-12 years, and still don't want another some 3-4 years later.
Anyways, here's my best to move along soon.

[Nella]

Thanks, Leprucky, Pink, and Phalanx.

Phalanx, I'm very sorry about your poor dog. I can't imagine someone doing something so horrible. My best to you.

I'm still not sure what I should do. My dad offered to pay for the shots the puppy needs and he said he'd pay for the dogs to be spayed and neutered.

[ferretchucker]

Doc and Ferret, I also appreciate your reading and replying to this thread. Ferret, I noticed in the other thread that you have had fish. Do you have any other pets?

Yep. I also have two cats and a hedgehog which lives in our garden that we help hibernate.

[Nella]

Yep. I also have two cats and a hedgehog which lives in our garden that we help hibernate.

I regret that I'm allergic to cats as I think they are beautiful and loving.

I've never had a hedgehog but I think they're so cute. My friend had one. Are they playful?

[ferretchucker]

Occasionally they'll let you pick them up but they tend to role into a ball. Most of the time they run off.

[Nella]

I got the new puppy today. He's 5 months old and he's so sweet. I named him Fritz. :)

[ferretchucker]

Awwww. Hope all is well with him!

[Dante'sInferno]

That's horrible.Losing a pet is like losing a family member to me.I know how you feel.I wish you the best.



Im glad you got a new pet!I would name mine...




Dante :D

[Nella]

Dante is a cool name for sure. I just named him Fritz because Schnauzers are a German breed.

[The_Return]

You poor soul...I've never been though losing a pet, but it must be utterly horrendous. My own dog is starting to really show her age and I dont think she has much time left...she's pretty old though, almost 13.

I know that we dont really get along Nella, but I had to stop in and give my condolences. I'm very sorry to hear about the little guy :(

But hey - Best of luck with the puppy, right? :)