Retiring the Family Dog

What a sad, but necessary topic as well. I have never had to come to this decision myself, but I know when the time comes it will not be easy. I think when the dog has more 'bad' days with pain and suffering than good, it is time to think about letting it rest in peace. Also, making it a family decision is also good too. Make sure everyone is involved, and is there to say goodbye at the appropriate time. Time to grieve is even more important, don't go right out to find a replacement, as no two dogs are alike, and one will never replace another. Best of luck.

I don't have any first hand experience with this one. However, other relatives have had to do this. From my understanding the one had decided to let the dog go when she had a hard time walking. THe neighbor did it because the dog was old starting to have a hard time walking and was gnawing on his limbs to the point they were not healing. I dread facing this decision in the future myself but I think you'll get thru it when the time comes.

This is a wonderful Post, and I hope you get lots of responses to it! Have you ever noticed that most pet owners want to keep their pet alive, no matter how much the animal is suffering? This is why pet veterinarians die rich- (Because no one loves their pet enough to put it down when it's old, sick and suffering! Most pet owners think only of themselves, and how much they will miss their pet! Why are pet owners so callous?