re: When should you put your dog down?

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Am I selfish to hold on?

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I have had to put 5 dogs down in my lifetime. In retrospect, 100% of the time I waited too long. You are not doing the dog any favors by holding on too long

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Am I selfish to hold on?

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Selfish is a harsh word to describe yourself in this situation. But it’s probably time.

Being there is a necessity for both of you. I’ve guided too many dogs to the other side. It does not get easier.

I was in the hospital with my Grandfather when the line went flat. He fell and had a brain bleed and held on for days. I pulled night watch and told him stories of our times together as if he could hear me.

Scratching my best dog’s jaw while talking to him as he drifted away was a close second. I’ll probably never have another dog.

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Am I selfish to hold on?

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Yes and no. I mean it's human nature, and especially if it's your first dog it's not something that comes naturally. The idea that we all just Ol' Yeller our dogs with zero hesitation is insane. When it boils down to it though, the dog loves you for his entire life, and it's your responsibility to figure out when living is not as good as sending them to relief.