Max was almost 13 yrs old. He was a sweet, loving & protecting dog. We Euthenised him today. His health was failing. He would romp in the yard and come back limping. He was pretty thin/bony. His eyesight was weak. He got confused more and more in the last couple months. We have had several incidents in the last 2 yrs when my husband or I were a little unsure if he was going to snap at us or bite us. This saturday my husband walked him to the garage (he stays there for warmth when we leave), Max again got confused/scared, reason unknown, and he turned and bit twice on hubbys wrist. He broke free, ran to our vehicle where both babies under age 2 were strapped into their car seats and jumped in the front seats. When hubby attempted to retrieve him, Max jumped in the back and trampled the children. The kids are fine. We have never really had a true discussion on our fears of Max with he children. He was a great protector. I know he loved the children. He would always find them, checking on them when he entered the room. But he was an Animal and we were so afraid he would get confused or be startled and accidently injur one of our beautiful babies. I know surrendering him or adopting him out was not an option but, I am torn up inside. My mother took him to the Vet. She held him until the end and reassured us of how wonderfully peaceful the process was. WIll my guilt lessen? It's only been a couple hours. I feel like a zombie. This is my biggest loss. I've read a bunch about animals that were really really ill. Max was on his way but still had life left. My childrens safety comes first. WHen I think of them I calm a little but then I picture Max again and my stomach twists. It's 1 am, Max is usually next tp my bed, tonight is the first night I won't hear him dreaming. Please post if you have any thoughts. Not sure what type of ritual to do. I did not ask for his ashes. I read to put his tags on my keychain but it's too early for that. I'd be crying everywhere I went. Please help. I'm Missing Max.

I am so sorry that you had to have Max put to sleep and am glad your mom was with him. Yes the safety of your children should always come first. My children are all grown but I do have 6 grandchildren and would never put them at risk for anything.

If Max would attack and hurt your husband then how much more would he hurt the babies were he to attack them. Please know you did the best you could for your whole family. I know that doesn't stop the guilt you must feel but stop and look at your precious children. And know that what you did was done to keep your wonderful precious children safe.
Ann

I'm so sorry that you had to put Max to sleep. It sounds like Max was starting to suffer from some dementia, and since you didn't know when or if he might strike out at the children, you really didn't have any other choice. By putting him to sleep, you gave him a peaceful ending to what sounds like a wonderful life.

I think guilt is something we all feel when we euthanize our pets...no matter the cir%%stance. Please be gentle with yourself...you did the right thing.

You're in my thoughts.
Kathleen

No need for guilt. We absolutely love our furbabies with all our hearts, but HUMAN babies are first and foremost at all times. Since Max was showing signs of confusion, fear and aggression, you did nothing wrong as it was, most likely, inevitable.

Don't beat yourself up with guilt. Max was not alone and didn't suffer.

Be well.

Hug,

Pat

I've never had to put a pet down so I can't say that I know how you're feeling. You did do the right thing for your children's safety.

Please try not to blame yourself for what had to be done. You know that if Max were thinking clearly he would never have done anything to harm his family. Quite the opposite. He understands why you had to do this. In his mind, there's nothing to forgive. You protected the children as he would have.

Max's mind is now clear, he's healthy looking again and he no longer limps after a good romp. He blames you for nothing. His days are happy while he waits for the time to come when he'll be able to meet you at the bridge.

Take good care,
Tim

i know that the decision to euthanize max was a hard one to make, but you did make the right decision. i can see why you are feeling guilty but your family and max had 13 beautiful years together. he couldn't have asked for more. it's obvious that you loved him very much but you must do what is necessary to protect your family. had you not done this something terrible might have happened. it sounds like max would not have done anything to purposely hurt you or your family but he was sick and it looks like he didn't have as much control of himself as he once did.
you yourself said that max liked to protect the children, he would be happy that you helped him to do that. be strong, ah

There are many reasons for having your pet put to sleep and not all of them are strictly illness. Part of what has to be measured is the quality of life. It sounds as if Max was not really enjoying life anymore ... what pup could enjoy a life that would make him act out as Max did towards your husband. Not all illnesses are physical ... it sounds as if Max was suffering from dementia or maybe even something worse. You said that Max still had life left to live ... I think that statement can be made about most of our pets who put to sleep but at the same time it is safe to say that whatever life was left was not enjoyable.

The guilt is normal ... we have all been through it and there is light at the end of the tunnel. You did what was best for your family and for Max. Don't lose sight of that. Max is now happy and free running with all of our lost furry butts.

My heart goes out to you ... the coming days will be hard but please just remember that you made the right decision.

Hugs,
Beth

I agree 100% with everything that the others here have said. I know it hurts unbelievably and I know you miss Max with all your heart -- Max knows you loved him just as much as you always did, and that is what is important. You did not do what you did because you wanted to. Max knows that.
Marcia

I 've said it before - I know how that guilt feels. I had our cat Whitey euthanized. I did not want to. I know I did it because I thot it was the best thing for him, but I've had regrets. Tons of them. I recall how he never lost his appetite & I say to myself "he wan't ready". I feel I should have waited a little longer. These 2 Jehovah Witnesses kind of rushed us & pushed us into it. They'd had to put their dog to sleep that I think they'd had for 16 years. I doubt if ;;;;; Sweety, our calico kitten, found abandoned at a church, just jumped into my lap. She made those semicolons, & I won't change them, for tho she only stayed up here a moment, it was a comfort to me. Generally, she loves my wife the best, so I don't get much notice from her as a rule. I was fixing to type, I doubt if we even got to keep Whitey a full 3 years. But they rushed us. Anyway, maybe it was the right time after all, for all of us were depressed. Whitey because he couldn't go out, & me because I couldn't let him. Yes, I felt guilty & still do sometimes. But others have assured me I did the right thing, besides the JWs. Only they don't believe Jehovah will ever let me see him again, & I just can't deal with that. I want to believe I will. I wish so bad that I could. "Lord, help thou mine unbelief!" -- love, billyc.

Do not feel like you've put your dog second to your kids. The truth is that Max was old and beginning to go. He was not the same dog who he used to be, and I believe Max would have wanted you to save the kids and put him out of his confusion. It was the right time and he knows you love him.
This is what I do to cope. I cry a lot for a few days and feel as guilty as heck. Then, when I know it's time, I go to my bedroom at night when everyone is gone, and I let it all out. I look to the sky and talk to the pet. Sometimes I turn on music and I pray. I tell the pet everything that I feel, and how sorry I am. Finally, I tell him/her that I must go on living for the both of us. He'll always be in my heart, and I will see you soon. Then I go on living and stop and think about him sometimes. The truth is, the pet is always in the back of my mind.
This all may sound crazy to some of you, but it is closure.
P.S. I always have framed pictures and I take time to look at each one at night.