Did she do the right thing?

949 Views 16 Replies 15 Participants Last post by Lolas_Dad, Apr 12, 2009

Entwine

Discussion Starter · Apr 11, 2009

I got a call from my older sister the other day. The first thing she said was "I need to know if I did the right thing.."

She had gone with her husband and children to visit his parents for a few days. The grandparents have a dog, Jake, who her husband had raised from a puppy. For two years, Jake has been sitting outside in his pen, very, very sick. He was diagnosed with colon cancer years ago, and has since developed a very large tumor hanging off of his back end that bleeds constantly. She said his fur was all matted, and his eyes were very crusted. When she went to pet him, he half wagged his tail and that was it. He no longer can walk or even lift his head. He simply sits out in his pen bleeding and basically waiting to die.

My sister had had enough (as it's gotten much worse over a period of two years), so she insisted that her husband take Jake to be put down. Every in-law there is very mad at her, insisting the dog was not suffering and that he would "go when he's ready". Her husband did take Jake to be PTS, but complained before he left that he couldn't believe she was making him do this as it was enraging his family.

Now, I told her she did the right thing, as did my mother, but I think being surrounded by people who should clearly never own a dog disagreeing with her decision has really upset her. I know she knows deep down she did the right thing, but I also understand how hard it is when you are surrounded by ignorant people full of anger telling you the opposite. Can you offer some words of reassurance that I could offer her?

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Pepper

· #2 · Apr 11, 2009

She did the right thing, in my opinion. Yeah those peopel can be angry at her, oh well..if they were sitting there with colon cancer suffering I'm sure they would want to be put down too.

I'm going through the same thing, someone I know has a basset hound 80 pounds over weight, she's elderly, has arthritis in all of her feet, and can't even walk. She's in so much pain she lashes out at anything that comes near her...and they say she's just fine(as she screams laying on the floor) That she's still young, and...that they want her to see the summer again..oh and the best one. They don't want to put her to sleep because it would make their daughter sad.....All for SELFISH reasons. People who don't put their dogs to sleep when they are obviously suffering are doing it for their own reasons, and obviously are not looking at the well being of the dog.

Those people hate me for telling them they need to put their dog to sleep, and they probably won't do it, but at least I got the word out their and told them to their face, your dog is suffering because of your selfish reasons, you have the choice to fix it, or ignore it.

And obviously since her husband took him to have him put to sleep, he deep down knew the dog was suffering and that it was the right decision.

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Mdawn

· #3 · Apr 11, 2009

In my opinion, she did what needed to be done. I'm sorry she's taking flak from it, but doing the right thing is hardly ever easy. Her conscience is clean....that of her husband's relatives are a different matter.

I'm sorry that the dog had to suffer like that and for that long. And its equally sad that the only person to show him any compassion was her.

R.I.P Jake.

Marsh Muppet

· #4 · Apr 11, 2009

Having idiots mad at me tends to reinforce my behavior. Nothing is 100%, but it's a strong predictor that you are on the right track.

ladyshadowhollyjc

· #5 · Apr 11, 2009

Entwine said:
For two years, Jake has been sitting outside in his pen, very, very sick. He was diagnosed with colon cancer years ago, and has since developed a very large tumor hanging off of his back end that bleeds constantly. She said his fur was all matted, and his eyes were very crusted. When she went to pet him, he half wagged his tail and that was it. He no longer can walk or even lift his head. He simply sits out in his pen bleeding and basically waiting to die.

I'm pretty sure she did the right thing. How can anyone argue that the dog was not suffering? Did they not go out to his pen to check on him and notice his condition? I'm curious as to how much time they actually spent with him. I know it sounds like a harsh judgment, but I really feel like these people were very selfish.
I'm sure her husband is upset, because it was the dog he raised as a puppy and no one wants to have anyone tell them it's time to put their dog down. But I think he realized it was the right thing to do.

mostlymutts

· #6 · Apr 11, 2009

It was, without a doubt, the right thing to do.

Entwine

Discussion Starter · #7 · Apr 11, 2009

ladyshadowhollyjc said:
I'm pretty sure she did the right thing. How can anyone argue that the dog was not suffering? Did they not go out to his pen to check on him and notice his condition? I'm curious as to how much time they actually spent with him. I know it sounds like a harsh judgment, but I really feel like these people were very selfish.
I'm sure her husband is upset, because it was the dog he raised as a puppy and no one wants to have anyone tell them it's time to put their dog down. But I think he realized it was the right thing to do.

I agree completely, and I've heard other stories in regards to the family that really leads me to believe they are very selfish people. They knew his condition but denied its severity and probably didn't want to bother with vet care.

Thank you for all of the replies. I will use some of the points to help ease her mind.

RonE

· #8 · Apr 11, 2009

Your sister is to be admired for doing the right thing for the dog and standing up to her husband and his family.

It's not always easy to do the right (and unpopular thing) but it's still the right thing.

I've put down a couple of very good dogs that were in a lot better shape than Jake because their quality of life was not what I believe they would have wanted.

Inga

· #9 · Apr 11, 2009

It sounds to me she gave that dog a gift that his people were unwilling to give. Love is shown in many ways. Ending suffering is one of those ways. I think it is what separates dog owners from dog lovers. She certainly would have had my support on that decision.

jbsmomto1

· #10 · Apr 11, 2009

Do I think teh dog was suffering? yes for sure, do I think he needed to be put to sleep? yes for sure. Do I think she did the right thing? I want to say yes for the dogs sake she did, However the dog wasn't hers and she had no right to have the dog pts....She could have called an animal agency to come and look at the dog and take the dog and than have him pts...but to take someone else's pet and take it upon yourself to do this...well no I don't think thats right.

As I said I don't blame her for doing it, I just think it was handled all wrong. The day soemone takes one of my dogs and has them put to sleep is the day that person finds themelves in court. However my dogs will never be allowed to get that sick so its a non issue.

Thracian

· #11 · Apr 11, 2009

He simply sits out in his pen bleeding and basically waiting to die.

She absolutely did the right thing. Poor Jake. I'm glad he's no longer suffering like that.

Entwine

Discussion Starter · #12 · Apr 11, 2009

jbsmomto1 said:
However the dog wasn't hers and she had no right to have the dog pts....She could have called an animal agency to come and look at the dog and take the dog and than have him pts...but to take someone else's pet and take it upon yourself to do this...well no I don't think thats right.

I think you're misunderstanding. She didn't take the dog, nor could she actually FORCE her husband to take him to be PTS. I believe that her husband took Jake because he knew it was right, even though he complained. And Jake was considered her husband's dog, even by the family, even though he no longer lived there. So, really, it was his decision to make.

angel_baby

· #13 · Apr 11, 2009

She definitely did the right thing and I admire her courage in doing such a great thing for the poor ole dog. He is no longer suffering now like he was then.

InkedMarie

· #14 · Apr 12, 2009

Not that you need another "you did the right thing" vote but you've got it.
It's a shame they put their needs in front of Jake's needs and I pray to God they never own another living animal.
Rest painfree, Jake.

Dieselsmama

· #15 · Apr 12, 2009

What selfish people to allow the poor dog to suffer like that

Glad at least someone stood up for him and insisted the right thing be done.

lucyloo2

· #16 · Apr 12, 2009

I really think she did do the right thing. As somebody earlier said, the right thing to do is not always the easiest thing to do. That poor dog, the whole situation is just so sad

Lolas_Dad

· #17 · Apr 12, 2009

Not only was the right thing done but should have been done as soon as the dog was unable to walk on his own. In my opinion it was more cruel for the husbands parent's to have the dog outside when he could not walk. How could he have defended himself from being attacked by a stray dog.

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