Opinions Please

[punk-a-doodle]

Thanks SO much for taking the time to explain that. Yes, that makes much more sense, and explains the how and why of how a decision that at first read seemed to crop up so quickly and suddenly.

. I still say, as someone who has adopted many old animals of many species, give those rescues two days to reply (most have a 48 hour reply period). You probably already browsed their web pages and have seen that most are not standard kennel shelter situations. I would agree that putting an old dog in a crowded kennel situation is too stressful (but I think it tends to be too stressful for most dogs). But, most of those rescues are either spacious sanctuaries (Best Friends, which again, I think shipping her there might be too stressful, but they have extensive resources nationwide and are one of few shelters who's workers are specifically instructed to not judge owners and only to help) or foster situations. Foster situations would honestly be like an adoption for an older dog. Many shelters assume that older animals do not do well because they are crammed into a situation that is stressful to anyone (not saying that negatively, they are able to help more animals, that is just a trade off), because older animals are often relinquished due to owners not being able to care for them (just adopted an older cat who almost died at our shelter..he is healthy now but even normal colds can be deadly to older animals in normal shelter situations where time and money is short...that's why I recommend shelters equipped to handle older animals only), and rarely, there are animals who are so devoted to their owners that they can't adapt to a new home...but I can't stress how rare that really is. I would be comfortable adopting out any of my senior cats if I felt I had to, but not our cattle dog. Even as a young dog, that would not be good for her. Similarly, your parents will be able to know best if Shannon would adapt or not. I would just warn about settling with the "old dogs can't adapt" statement before seeing what the rescues say. Reason in part being, that if your parents go by that...then hear from someone else how wonderful an old animal is they adopted...that could prove to be very hurtful for them. If they wait the two days for replies, then they know at that point that they tried everything within their power. I have only regreted euthanizing one pet, and she was not the hardest time I had of euthanasia by any means. She was a rat, and my regret came from reading up afterwards that she could have lived happily for another month. Every other pet, dog to fish, I've always been at peace with their death because I knew I had done everything. Since your parents sound like they would prefer to rehome, and because Shannon sounds like the senior animals I've seen enjoy their new homes however briefly, that is my personal advice for this situation. Your parents will be the ones who know what is best for them though.

I am so sorry that a gift years ago has led to such tension for many. Please offer your parents my sympathies and gratefulness for trying so hard, please accept that in this situation you are doing everything you can to help, and give Shannon a big ol' head scratch.

 

[Mommysongbird]

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I don't mean that she would be running at large with a pack of dogs, I mean that she would have a family with a large yard that she could be in. She will stay with you or will come when called. Most of our homeschool friends have other dogs and she gets along good with others and cats as well.

Our newest dog that we have (got last August) was running with a pack of dogs before being picked up by animal control, he was lucky because he is so young, but also because he ended up in a no-kill shelter along with the rest of the pack.

I would never let her go to someone who was not going to keep her in their yard. She learns easily and when she got out the other day she would have stayed in the yard or at the neighbors, but she would go no further. It was the fact that some people that my parents live around have thought in the past that she was a bear and called the police. When they came to check it out, they saw that she is a dog. That is when they told my parents that she needed to stay in the kennel at all times or on a chain. The kennel seemed the better option.

 

[Mommysongbird]

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They have cared for her for many years as a wish to my grandmother. My grandmother told them to care for Shannon for as long as they could. She knew one day they would NOT be able to any longer because of illness, age, or whatever. At this point neither of them are really able to hold on to her even when she is on a leash. They would continue caring for her if they were able.

It sounds as if you and your partner are in much better health than my parents. They have worked hard all their lives but it is starting to catch up to them. My mom is not one to sit still, she always has to do something but it is getting harder for her to do day after day. Plus their income is NOT what it use to be before retiring. They are NOT fragile, I assure you and my brothers and I know that all too well, but we have also seen what our dad is like when he comes in from tilling the garden, mowing the yard or just doing some kind of work on a vehicle. He can hardly stand. He has to go every 3 months for IV treatments for his arthritis, even that is not helping much anymore.

No, my parents want this. It was the first thing my mom told me when everything happen. She said she just couldn't take care of Shannon any longer. She doesn't want to have her put down if we can find another way, but I am not sure if there is going to be another way, I truly hope there will be.

As I said above in the last post, the people that I am thinking about have large yards and most are fenced in and she will come when called. She just needs a lot more attention, but with her age she may not last long either at home or with someone else. But I assure you, she would NOT be going to someone who would just turn her out to run with a pack of dogs. The people have dogs, cats, chickens and every other kind of animal you could think of, so I know that she would be well taken care of for the remainder of her life.

Thanks Rusty for you concern for both Shannon and my parents, I appreciate your comments

 

[Mommysongbird]

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Thank you sweetie. We are going to probably wait till next week and see what happens with my mom (whether she has to have surgery or not) and to see if we can find a friend that can take Shannon. I really honestly believe that Shannon would be more than fine with being re-homed. As long as she has kids around, other animals and a family that loves her and if she can have room to run under supervision, I believe that she would live a few more years.

Our big dog is 12 years old this year, he too has lived a good life, I pray that I don't have to make this kind of decision for him, but I know the day may come. We use to have a chocolate lab and a black lab. We had to put our black lab down at age 9 or 10 and it wasn't 3 months later our chocolate lab past away from grieving and I knew it would happen. I honestly didn't think he would last a month after she was gone.

 

[aggie9296]

Difficult situation. Good luck with whatever you need to do. And don't let anyone make you feel guilty regardless of what you decide.

Best wishes to your mom and her injury.

 

[Mommysongbird]

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Thanks, I won't let anyone sway me either way. I am just trying to see through Shannon's eyes so to speak.

And thanks for your wishes.

 

[flnatv]

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Nicely stated aggie. No matter the choice, it will be hard.
I have had to put a dog down for the safety of my children and that was sooooo hard. I had some people tell me it was the wrong thing, but according to my vet... it was the RIGHT thing.

You seem to really care about Shannon and you will do WHAT you need to do, WHEN you need to do it.
We all have our personal opinions, but YOU are the only one living the reality of this.... Make the decision YOU feel is best for the sake of Shannon. Just make sure it is for Shannon and not yourself

 

[Mommysongbird]

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Nicely stated aggie. No matter the choice, it will be hard.
I have had to put a dog down for the safety of my children and that was sooooo hard. I had some people tell me it was the wrong thing, but according to my vet... it was the RIGHT thing.

You seem to really care about Shannon and you will do WHAT you need to do, WHEN you need to do it.
We all have our personal opinions, but YOU are the only one living the reality of this.... Make the decision YOU feel is best for the sake of Shannon. Just make sure it is for Shannon and not yourself

Thanks flnatv. That is the hardest part, making the RIGHT decision. She has had a wonderful and long life thus far, so if we HAVE to make the decision to put her down, I know she was a happy dog.

 

[Ashmeade]

In this case I would try my absolute best to rehome her well in a status that is equal or better than what she is accustomed to where I am fully comfortable that she has a good home and will be happy and cared for.

If I was unable to do that I would say have her put down in place of going to a shelter - no kill or not. That is no place for a dog that age to be at all.

Good luck with things and either way, it most definitely sounds like you are trying to do right by this dog. Hope it works out well and soon for you!

 

[Mommysongbird]

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Thank you Ashmeade

This is what I have prayed for, that I can find her something, if anything at all that is comfortable for her and that she may be able to spend her last days, months or even years in. I think she deserves to live as long as she can. I would give anything if I had room for her at my home, I would take her but that is not possible at this time.

She will DEF. NOT go to ANY shelter. I have a hard time going them with my son to volunteer. It just breaks my heart to see those dogs in those small cages. Shannon's has probably the largest kennel I have ever seen for one dog. Even though she lives outside, she is pretty dang confortable.

I kinda wish our big dog had that kennel, but that can't be. He was in a kennel for about 10 mintues one time and he took the door down.

We don't even know where he came from, he was a stray puppy when we got him, that was 12 years ago. I pray that when it is his time, he will go naturally. It is just too hard to do this, to make this decision.