WWMLD? - Friend's Dog (Again.)

[Deleted]

My friend is getting evicted, which is a long, long story. None of it my friend's fault. 

Said friend has a blind, diabetic, 13+ year old dog. He was essentially dumped on her via her aunt, who is also foreclosing the home friend lives in. He needs $500+ in medication for month, plus $100-200 in special food per month. Friend is on disability, her husband does work, but total they make about $1000 - $1500 a month. They cannot keep the poor dog. They have sold most of their possessions to feed and home this little guy for as long as possible, but have simply reached an end to their means. Friend wants to drop the dog off at a no kill shelter if she cannot find a foster, a foster program (there are several), or another suitable home. She wants me to be there when she goes to drop of the poor thing to makes sure she does it. 

You guys, in good conscious, I feel like it might be kinder to do a home euthanasia, while being held by my friend. I am worried he will never be adopted if surrendered. I am worried he will die in that shelter. He will die alone, confused, out of an environment he literally was born in and grew up in, and without a familiar soul in sight. 

On the other hand, he may be adopted. Some kind soul may adopt an elderly special needs dog, who needs intensive care.

She wants me to make a decision here for her. She trusts me to make the right one and I simply am not sure of what it may be. I know several of you are dog lovers and fosters, so please give me some moral guidance on what to do for this poor dog. 

Thank you.

[joshlyman]

I agree with your gut. Even no-kill shelters put dogs in failing health to sleep

[WOT?*]

I am so sorry for your friend. I think I agree with you that a home euthanasia would be best for the pup.

I really came in to say that your friend's aunt is an absolute bitch.

[mcmel]

If I were in the same shoes and couldn't find a loving home for him myself, I would do a home euthanasia. He should go in the arms of people he knows, not a scary kennel.

[lime]

I feel terrible for her. I agree that euthanasia is probably the best way to go. I'm so sorry.

[screwedup]

As the wife of a veterinarian and the owner of a 15 year old diabetic dog who costs about $400/mo to upkeep, I vote for euthanasia. The odds of being adopted are slim and the medical attention in a shelter (while they try their best) may be inadequate, due to limited resources. If you put the dog to sleep at home, he'll pass in a loving environment. I was there when we put my 14 year old Shih Tzu to sleep last year (due to congestive heart failure). It was peaceful and I held him. I don't believe he suffered during the process.

All the best to your friend - what a hard situation.

[Deleted]

Oct 2, 2013 12:43:59 GMT -5 WOT?* said:

I am so sorry for your friend. I think I agree with you that a home euthanasia would be best for the pup.

I really came in to say that your friend's aunt is an absolute bitch.

She is an absolute bitch. She was a good person, but apparently she was not the person we thought she was. 

Oct 2, 2013 12:45:22 GMT -5 screwedup said:

As the wife of a veterinarian and the owner of a 15 year old diabetic dog who costs about $400/mo to upkeep, I vote for euthanasia. The odds of being adopted are slim and the medical attention in a shelter (while they try their best) may be inadequate, due to limited resources. If you put the dog to sleep at home, he'll pass in a loving environment. I was there when we put my 14 year old Shih Tzu to sleep last year (due to congestive heart failure). It was peaceful and I held him. I don't believe he suffered during the process.

All the best to your friend - what a hard situation.

The worse part in all this is the dog is fairly active. He isn't suffering right now. I just can't imagine he would get the care or love he needs if put in any shelter. Shelters, even the best ones, do not have an extra $1000 to throw around. 

[MixedBerryJam]

I am a huge animal lover, and I do not say this lightly, but: I would put the dog down. Even if (big if, gigantic if) even if he found a new family I don't see how he wouldn't grieve the loss of your friend. I think your friend is taking kind of a cowardly way out by dropping him at a no-kill shelter so that SHE won't have to deal with the guilt of putting him down. It's the easiest, cleanest solution for her, but the worst one for the dog. I realize that your friend is in a bad spot, and I do not mean to sound unsympathetic to that, but I don't think a no-kill shelter is in the best interest of the dog. But you CANNOT make this decision for her. She'll resent you either way. The words need to come from her lips.

[Deleted]

It breaks my heart to say that euthanasia is the kindest option here like PP has said. It would just stress the dog out to be in a shelter and to not be with his owner.

[LeggsBenedict]

No kill shelters generally will not euthanize when a dog is not adopted, but they will euthanize unhealthy animals. I would make sure she understands that.

I think she should put the dog to sleep

[jaycee]

So so sad and I'm sorry you guys are faced with such a terrible situation.

I would lean toward home euthanasia. It seems like the most humane choice considering the dog's medical needs and what life would be like in a shelter.

[berbles]

Oct 2, 2013 12:49:54 GMT -5 MixedBerryJam said:

I am a huge animal lover, and I do not say this lightly, but: I would put the dog down. Even if (big if, gigantic if) even if he found a new family I don't see how he wouldn't grieve the loss of your friend. I think your friend is taking kind of a cowardly way out by dropping him at a no-kill shelter so that SHE won't have to deal with the guilt of putting him down. It's the easiest, cleanest solution for her, but the worst one for the dog. I realize that your friend is in a bad spot, and I do not mean to sound unsympathetic to that, but I don't think a no-kill shelter is in the best interest of the dog. But you CANNOT make this decision for her. She'll resent you either way. The words need to come from her lips.

This.

What a horrible situation.

[leeann]

I would call the no-kill shelter first. This is an awful situation to be in, poor pup.

[Deleted]

Oct 2, 2013 13:01:18 GMT -5 @scottydeux said:

Before I'd consider euthanasia because a dog's needs can't be met, I would seek out local sanctuaries on FB. See first if they can help, provide pictures. There are crazy old ladies like myself who take in dogs with less-than-ideal situations.

Oct 2, 2013 13:14:36 GMT -5 sequins said:

I am so sorry. Before a home euthanasia, you could contact a local rescue group and ask them for advice on how to proceed.

I will say she is exhausting all foster options available in our area. They just... are all full or not taking new applicants. The one that could take him has a wait of three months. Which would be fine, but at the end of this month they have to be out of that house. @scottydeux, I hope there are crazy people like yourself who want this pup. He has such a winning personality and if I didn't have my own non-dog friendly dog and spare $$$, I'd take him in a heart beat. 

Thank you guys for your responses. I don't want to make this decision for her, but I will give her advice. Ultimately, I want what is best for this innocent dog. 

[TheSeaward]

If money is the only reason she wants to drop this poor pet off, in home euthanasia will probably not be an option. I did that with my dog last year and it was over$600

[Deleted]

Oct 2, 2013 15:28:15 GMT -5 @cse1960 said:

I'm sorry for the dog and the situation they are in but damn. They're not making house payments. Of course she's foreclosing on them. Am I the only one thinking this decision would have been the right one 6 to 12 months ago too?
You can't spend your house payment on a dog and expect the mortgage holder to just let it ride

Actually, the aunt was they mortgage holder. They were told the rent they were giving her was being applied to the mortgage. It was not. It was being used for drugs.

[snickers]

I feel terrible for her, that is so sad, and such a hard decision to make