Pack up your bags and throw out the toys

Was the dog sick? Old? As long as the reason for putting them down is ethical I think you're ok bud. As far as I'm concerned, murder only applies to people. I don't believe that putting a pet down falls into that category, and I've done it several times but the animal lived a life much much longer and with better quality than it ever would have in the wild. Putting them down to end suffering when the quality of life is gone is a humane way to let them go. My last dog was put to sleep in my arms, all I felt was peace that he was no longer in pain. He took a deep last breath and then was gone. The fact that you are emotional about it only shows that you have a heart and cared for the animal. I won't lie, I bawled my eyes out that day like a little baby, but you have to let the pain go at some point as with any mourning or it can become unhealthy.

I'm sorry for your loss, pets can be very close to your family and it's hard to let them go when it's time.

Well Octavia you sure dont shy away from controversial do you? Lol, this is where all your "friends" in the politics section start making references to the holocaust, because that's obviously what you mean right :) seriously, what do you mean human euthanasia? When would that be ok?

Yes, it was a tough time, still miss him as he was a great dog. We got a picture of our newborn daughter with him before he died, she was maybe 2 or 3 weeks old at the time, so we have a good memory of him still.

No worries on responding, I know how it goes. And with some of these subjects you really have to take your time and word things right. Whenever (if ever) you get around to it we'll continue. I'm flying today so I'll be hit or miss.

Cheers.

So you are referring to assisted suicide? Just want to be clear if you're thinking about something different.

I used to enjoy flying, and still do but not as much. Airports are aggravating, people interaction in them is very different and you certainly get a really interesting cross section of cultures and personalities. People watching is fun, and actually being on the plane and takeoff/landing is still enjoyable. I'm from upstate SC, headed to Cleveland today for work.

I wont let my mourning get to an unhealthy point, right now im slowly getting over it.Im sorry about your dog too.Also,she was old, about 12 years old, and all four legs stopped working.You made me feel lots better.Thank you.

Had a pet fish once. Still feel horrible about it

What happened to it? Sorry for your loss.

Thanks, yea he over heated because the thing broke & I was trying to save the poor thing . It was too late! =(

Sounds like you did what you could to help, sometimes it's just not enough. We spent hundreds on our dog before he passed, and it was all just to make him comfortable.

If you can't deal with the death of a pet, you should not own one. We live much longer lives than most of the creatures we keep (parrots being an exception). That means you will be there when the pet is past it's ability to live without pain or worse.

I have had to put down several cats and a dog and had one die at my feet while I was waiting for her appointment at the vet. This is including my favorite cat that had an aggressive cancer that took him way too soon. I still miss him years later, but I always take solace in knowing that I will be able to give another animal a good life when the time comes to replace a lost pet. (Our current dog was due to be put down after she was abandoned as a puppy before we rescued her. She is gnawing on a bone right now.)

Yeah,I know.Its just that this was the first animal I put down,and it left me kinda...questioning myself?I dont know how to explain it.I think I know that I can handle doing this sorta thing again, but...I dont know how to explain it.But...do you kinda get what im saying?

It's not easy, but if you can't handle it you shouldn't get a new pet. Understanding that you are giving an animal a better, longer life can help. I don't mean to sound callous, but I have known people that still mourn a pet that died years ago as if it was a child. It's not a child, it is an animal that lived it's full life and that's all we can ask for.

Yeah,no,I get it.I understand that we have to move on, and it is okay to be sad, but we cant hold onto it,right?I know Ill move on,I doing it right now, but I dont know what that feeling is.Is it guilt?Perhaps.But I do know that I wont be like how you said.Thank you.

I said I still miss my last cat I had to put down. But I understood even before I adopted him that he would live a shorter life than mine. What hurt was he probably wasn't half the age he should have lived to due to cancer. I still stand by my original point though. If you can't handle the death of a pet, don't get one. That's not the same as mourning it's passing which is a natural reaction.

It depends if it was sick or not

She wasn't sick, but she was old.She was old and all four of her legs stopped working.

Oh ok

I think you were being merciful, and am very sorry for your loss. Please don't beat yourself up over this.

Thank you,Ill try not to.

If the dog was sick or old, no