mantis

That's my take on it as well ............ I do believe dogs can be sad or happy as well.... and that they can be sad that things have changed/something's missing Totally agree.

I have had 3 dogs PTS in my lifetime, all 3 were very peaceful with no visible fretting from the dog. I have also worked at a large pound and I have never seen a dog visibly distressed before being PTS. I don't doubt yours and others experiences but the fact is I have seen footage of dogs in pounds cowering and trembling before being led into "the room" for PTS - so it does happen. It obviously depends on the environment and the people carrying out the procedure - I am pleased to hear your pound does things compassionately. Most dogs cower & are trembling in a pound, even if they aren't being PTS. It is a strange environment & without their owners. I paid an extra $100 when I had Kenny PTS, so he would be in his home & lying on my bed, so he wouldn't get distressed. His tail was wagging the whole time, so either he knew that I was doing it for his own good, or he didn't know what was happening.

The concept of their own imminent death or that of an owner or another dog perhaps? I would suspect that there is a huge amount of irrefutable evidence that dogs understand when an owner, or another animal that they live with, is dying or has died. Dogs do grieve, do they not? As with any mammal in particular, they also understand when their own life is in danger and react accordingly, using the flight or fight response. In regards to this particular situation, it is a shame that the son chose to follow his mother's wishes. People who know they are dying do not always make rational decisions, just as people who are not dying also can make stupid decisions. In my opinion, this woman's decision was not entirely different to people who choose to have a fairly young and healthy dog put down for other nefarious reasons. Yes - ask any person involved in killing dogs in pounds and shelters. I suspect they know exactly what is about to happen to them. The airy fairy idea that this dog did not "suffer" in any way before being killed is just denial of the reality IMO. When I had to get Kenny PTS, he was wagging his tail the whole time, as I was cuddling & kissing him, even as the needle went in his leg.

Exactly, it is only the head that is rotten & needs to be cut off.

That reminds me of the Fawlty Towers episode, where Manuel bought that rat & was told it was Syberian hamster. :laugh:

Spot on, I can't believe people are still sucked in by this cruel & corrupt organisation.

Well I'll be. I did not realise that. Actually Brookestar is wrong, my friend was diagnosed with cancer which was so advanced & given her age, she couldn't have any medical treatment. They told her she had 6-9 months to live, she died eight days later.

You are lucky, my friends & kids are always saying I look after my dogs, better than myself & I should be spending more on my food than theirs, because they are just dogs.

Cougar will go back to Staffy Rescue. When I had Kenny, my kids knew that he would have to PTS, because of his FA & his severe separation anxiety. Thankfully he went before me, so I got to cuddle & kiss him while he got the green dream.

My dear elderly friend who was like a Mum to me, was going to have her little dog PTS on her death, but when I said I would take him she was so happy, because she knew I could care for him with his aggression issues. Unfortunately because of some residents in the units I am living in, getting angry that I was having the dog, her family decided not to carry out her wish. I am so sad & feel that I let her down, but there is nothing I could do. I just hope the little dog is living a happy life & hasn't been PTS because of his issues.

I haven't seen this mentioned anywhere ? vet visits are always a bit stressful . As for not having an owner present ... I have seen so many owners choose to NOT be with their pet for that last injection ...so that's not unique to this case . (having a grieving owner present will often result in an anxious/fidgety animal , unfortunately ) I was with Kenny while he got the green dream, as heart broken as I was, I cuddled him & kissed him, his tail was wagging the whole time. RIP my beautiful boy.

Chucky would scare the bejeezus out of Kenny & Cougar. I have a 4 inch high Kyle figurine from South Park, when you press the button it says, *you bastard, you killed Kenny*. Kenny was terrified of it & used to run out of the room. I know, I was a naughty mummy to tease him, but it was bloody hilarious.

Doesn't make it right, or decent. I know I'd consider taking some of mine to the grave. Perhaps I don't think that my dogs could be cared for the way I do or I don't want to risk them ever ending up in an unhappy place. Exactly, my kids knew that if I died before Kenny that they had to have him PTS. Apart from him suffering from severe separation anxiety, he also was FA & I couldn't risk him going to a home that didn't know how to handle him.

What if they aren't?

But not all dogs can adapt to being in a new place away from their owners. I know of some who have adapted, but some don't. I think the original owner knows best whether their dog would be happy being re-homed or not.

I'm in two minds about this. I know Kenny wouldn't have been OK if I died. He always used to fret badly when I went on holidays, twice he needed Vet attention due to the stress of being separated from me. Guide dogs might be different because of their training & the fact they spend a lot of time living in different environments when they are young. But it is sad that another sight impaired person, missed out on having this dog as their eyes & companion.

It's the RSPCA people, you expect common sense from these morons?

You are an ignoramus, myself & the other dog owners in my block of housing commission units, all look after our dogs better than some people who work & are well off. I can tell you, that we put our dogs welfare first, yes we might have to go without occasionally for the benefit of our dogs. Our dogs are what keep us going, without them, we wouldn't bother anymore. Horrible thing to happen to a young girl, but strange she was alone with four dogs, when she didn't live there, or maybe she was dog sitting.

Thanks Steve, looks good for a dog who likes to get off the couch & exercise, unfortunately Cougar's not one of them.

What is a flirt pole?

I would, just to try & steal one. :laugh:

Two months ago I got contacted by a groomer, who said it's been a month since my dogs last wash & if I wanted to make an appointment. I made one for two weeks later, the woman who turned up was using a different company van. When I questioned her about it, she said my usual groomer was too busy & asked her to wash my dog. I asked her to clip Cougars nails, but she said they were fine & she would clip them next time. When she finished we made another appointment, but when I rang to change the appointment, I got a voice mail saying she'd ring back, two days later no call, so I found my usual groomers number & rang her to ask what was going on. She was shocked & said she had never heard of that groomer, or the company she was working for. I gave her the contact number I had & when she spoke to the woman & asked what's going on, she said I had used them in the past & that's why she rang me, which was a total lie. My groomer told her that if she hears it happens again, she will take legal action. The only way I can think she got my details, was from the internet because she knew my name & my groomers name & the only way they could have got that info was by hacking the company's computer. On a side note, Cougars nails were very over grown, but she is feeling great now her favourite groomer is back. I don't want to post the name of the bad groomers on here because it's probably against the rules, but if anyone wants the info, PM me.

I know I shouldn't but I can't control myself, maybe it's because I'm a "dangerous weapon" like my dogs.

Gees, I hate to generalise, but doesn’t this just sound like the stereotypical yobbo dangerous dog owner? Dangerous dogs are a product of their breeding and their owners, but there’s no excuse for dogs like this. I don’t care if you think you can “control” your dog, if it is likely to this when not controlled, it just shouldn’t be. People who feel the need to own such dangerous weapons should really invest in some psychological treatment. Hey Hugh Wirthless, you forgot to mention "land sharks".

Except some posters think they shouldn't be in on lead only areas as well, in case some moron walks their dog off lead & let's them rush on lead dogs.