How to deal with putting my dog down?
Posted by: Alan in bone cancer in dogs treatment, tags: deal, down, Putting
I have had my boxer since I was 7, and now I am 16. We just recently found out that he has severe bone cancer and there is nothing we can do to help it, except amputate the leg (which is very painful and we don’t want to do that to him) It happened so quickly, less than two months ago he was perfectly fine. We are taking a with him before we had to put him down. I feel like I took my time with him for granted and I don’t know how to make up for it in 4 days. I am really going to miss this dog, he is my first dog and I got him at a young age. This is very hard for me to deal with. Did anyone else ever have an experience like this before?
Also, I don’t really know about this, but is it OK for me to think about getting another dog once he is gone? Not right away, maybe a month or two. This is definitely not replacing him, I could never do that to him, but I am a dog person so having a dog makes things better. Is this wrong to get another dog?
Thanks.
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April 30th, 2010 at 2:16 am
amputating a leg dose not hurt a dog, one of my dogs has it and she acts just the sme and recovered in just 3 weeks!
April 30th, 2010 at 2:25 am
I probably would have tried amputating the leg anyway unless they know the cancer has spread. They have pain meds for the animal.
If you have 4 days with him, go out and do things you know he’d like. Take him on a walk in the woods. Let him eat hamburgers and ice cream (if he can tolerate it). Make every moment count.
As for getting another dog, wait at least a month. If you want to get another boxer, that’s fine. Just realize the boxer is NOT him and has their own separate personality.
Finally, check out the poem “The Rainbow Bridge” if you haven’t read it already. It’s about pet loss. Very touching.
April 30th, 2010 at 3:06 am
All dogs have the ability to walk & run on 3 legs, no matter if it is the front r back leg that has been removed.
April 30th, 2010 at 3:34 am
i would have my dogs leg amputated before i put him down if thats the only place the cancer is. if you had cancer only in your leg would you want it amputaed or would you want your family to put you down?
April 30th, 2010 at 3:46 am
I had a dog for 19 years and it was sad when she went. I think the best thing you can do is go and get another dog, I doubt your current dog would want you to be unhappy, and that way you can provide a good home for another puppy who needs it. You aren’t replacing your old dog, you’re just getting a new one.
My condolences.
April 30th, 2010 at 3:47 am
First off, my deepest condolences on your dogs diagnosis. Believe me when I tell you that most animal owners/lovers will go through some of the thoughts you’re going through right now, our pets are never with us long enough.
Stop with the regrets, that kind of negativity will not do either of you any good. Bone cancer is not kind, do what you can do with him now….feed him ice cream and McDonalds….let him live it up!
Of course it is OK for you to think about getting another dog eventually, you’ll all know when the time is right for your family.
Good luck!
April 30th, 2010 at 4:13 am
I had to put down my daughters cocker spaniel we had her for ten years and It was hard due to the fact she had a cancer tumor that can on quickly. It is very lonely not having a dog in the house when you have had it for so long. It drove me nuts with a cat that was in the house he missed having her around. It took me two weeks to find the right replacement of this dog but now we are happy to have this terrorist puppy in the house. You will know when the time is right to get a new dog. It is alright to mourn the lost of a pet as long as you need to even after you get the new dog.
April 30th, 2010 at 4:20 am
i had a dog since i was 5 that i got for my 5th birthday from my dad, my dad died the year after he gave her to me, just last summer the dog died and i don’t think i will ever get over her. we have a 6 month old puppy now but i would never be able to replace that dog, but it does help a bit with a new dog to take care of, but not replacing. i am 15 years old and the dog was 17 or so when she died :’( i say if you want to make your last days special do things that the dog loved to do, even if you just sit and pet him for a while im sure he would enjoy it.
good luck
April 30th, 2010 at 4:31 am
I am sorry you have to go through this at your age.
I lost a dog a couple of years ago, and I never go tto say goodbye… Just remember the good times. 
And yes, it is fine for you to get another dog. I understand, as I wanted one as well. But they can never fill up the place of our old dogs.
BTW, I think you should amputate the leg before putting him down. A lot of dogs have happy lives with three legs. Believe me!
I will post some poems.. hold on…
Rainbow Bridge Poem…
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together….
Author unknown…
Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.
April 30th, 2010 at 5:17 am
Im sorry about your dog if the bone cancer cannot be treated the kindest thing would be to put your dog to sleep. Has the vet talked about having him put to sleep. Its horrible making that decision but you have to think about your dog
when i had my last dog put to sleep i missed him a lot but couldn’t wait to get another dog and got a puppy 6 months later. i have had 2 dogs put to sleep at 15 as a dog owner it is the hardest decision you will ever make.
April 30th, 2010 at 6:04 am
First let me tell you how sorry I am for you and your dog. I recently lost my white boxer in Dec. of this year and let me tell you how devastated our family was and still is, but we did decide to get another and it has brought a lot of smiles and laughter back in our home. Boxer’s are wonderful dogs and no you will never be able to replace the one you have but you will definitely be able to love another! There is nothing wrong with getting another dog no matter what kind you choose.