How do I know when his behavior is beyond correcting?

[Sampson's Mom]

You may have seen my previous posts about Sampsons regression in behavior and our vets advice that his illness has progressed to the point we should consider putting Sampson down. I am having such a hard time making that decision. It seems I am the only one, though. My husband and the vet are convinced it needs to be done. Sampson has always been so mellow and has never so much as nipped at anyone (once he outgrew the puppy nips that is). In the last 2 weeks he snapped at my husband when he reprimanded Sampson for stealing food. I did not see this happen, but Mike said that Sampson also snapped at our 2 year old son for no reason. Justin was sitting near Sampson watching TV when he said Sampson made a move to bite his arm. Thank God it didn't happen since Justin moved at just the right time. Believe me I would never condone that behavior and it upset me to the point of taking him to the vet. The vet said he is 100% convinced that Sampson's illness has progressed to the point that he his behavior can not be trusted and that he will become more and more unpredictable. I don't want to take any chances but I am so afriad that we are giving up on him. The decision would be so easy for me if I could see that Sampson was in obvious pain. The vet says he must be uncomfortable to show the behavior change. It's just so hard for me to see. I look at him and he is happy and still pretty energetic for a 6 1/2 year old. It's hard for me to see my sweet guy as a dog who may turn on us. He has always been called the gentle giant by our neighbors. I know part of this is denial on my part since I can't bear the thought of losing him. I just worry that we are giving up too soon. What if going back to school and working harder on training would help. Am I making excuses here? Am I just in total denial? How do I know when his behavior is beyond help? I worry that we have failed him in some way. Has anyone else ever been in this position?

[Paxx]

I am moving this to General Info.

[Bucky's Mom]

:( Am I making excuses here? - Yes hon - I am sorry-but you are - A 2 year old and an unpredictable animal in pain is not a good combination-Sampson doesn't want to hurt his family-he wants his pain to go away-he doesn't understand-you are in my thoughts

[Sampson's Mom]

Thank you for your responses. Deep down I guess I know what has to be done. It's just so hard when we have days like today. He's happy, running around playing with his toys, and he hasn't thrown up since Sunday. I know I have to stop listening to my heart and do what my mind knows is right. Sampson is scheduled to go in on Tuesday. We plan to spoil him rotten and take a ton of pictures these last few days. I just can't imagine what our lives are going to be like without him. He has always been my first baby. Thanks again for the advice. It helps knowing others think this is the right thing to do.

Lisa

[Sue]

I'm so very sorry about the decision you need to make, and the heartbreak you all feel. But it sounds like you've made the right decision.

We all love our furbabies and dread that this day will come. I try to remember something a friend/colleague told me once. She had a Golden Retriever that was her shadow. Brought her to work every day, sort of the building mascot. She developed cancer, and had a huge tumor on the side of her face. It was very disfiguring, and I imagine very painful though Molly never showed it. After my friend made the decision and sent Molly to the Bridge, she said "I kept thinking that somehow Molly would let me know when it was time. That I'd wake up some morning and know with certainty that today was the day. Now I realize that I wasn't keeping her here for her sake. I was doing it for me." I think that's pretty common because we love them so much and can't bear to think of our lives without them. When I had to send Bull to the Bridge I cried for hours before I went to the vet. Then I held him in my arms and whispered in his ear while he started his journey. He knew how loved he was....and I know Sampson will too. My heart aches for your family.

[Bucky's Mom]

When we love someone they never go away - they stay in our hearts forever - I hope you find peace - you are doing the right thing -

[anni's.mom]

sampson's mom, my heart goes out to you. two years ago my big german rottie girl, cissy, went through almost exactly what you describe. cissy was a rescue, picked up as a stray. we bonded quickly and she seemed to dedicate her life and heart to watching over me. she never slept until i slept, and she was always beside me, calm and watchful. she had become the joy and focus of my life and the decision was heart rending. the strange part was, after she had fallen asleep for the final time in my arms, i rocked her for a time, then stood up to leave. i looked back at her stretched out on her tummy on her blanket and saw that, for the first time, she REALLY looked at rest. it wasn't until that moment that i felt i understood how miserable and painful life had become for her.

bless you and sampson,
anni's.mom

[LucyJ]

Sampson's mom, what pain you must obviously be in. I'm so sorry for your circumstances. Enjoy your time with Sampson. You'll both be in my thoughts. :(

[Sampson's Mom]

Thank you all so much for the kind words and prayers. I can't tell you how much it has helped. Today it is beautiful here. Sampson and I played in the yard for a long time while the kids napped. I watched this big strong guy running around like a little kid and it killed me. I am still not 100% convinced that putting him down is the right thing to do, however, if I am wrong and he bites someone it will be my fault and mine alone since so many people have warned me. I have to realize that we have to err on the side of caution. I could never live with myself if he hurt someone. While we were playing I saw his streangth and I can only imagine the damage he could inflict if that streangth were used in anger against someone. He has been having a good week, but he did throw up again today. To be honest, I was so happy to see that big mess on the floor. It made me realize that our good week is just that, a good week, and it wouldn't last forever. He's had good weeks before and they always end. Tomorrow he and Mike are going to the park to have some special time together. I guess all we can do is make all the good memories we can these last few days.

[Sampson's Mom]

I've been waiting for the sign that this is the right thing to do and I guess I just got it. Sampson just threw up his breakfast from this morning and probably even dinner last night. Today he has been burping a lot and it has the strongest sulfur odor. The smell from him throwing up is not even describable. Even after steam cleaning, open windows, and air freshener the house still smells awful. I can't imagine what that must have felt like sitting in his stomach. The look on his face after it happened was so sad. I guess that was my sign. I finally know what has to be done and even though it will be so hard, I know I can go through it without any doubts.

[MIKIE]

I HAD TO BUT MY BRUT DOWN IN FEB IT HURT THEN BUT AS TIME WENT ON I REALISE THE PAIN HE WAS IN. I NOW LOOK AT HIS PICTURE ON MY DESK AND REMEMBER ALL THE GOOD TIMES WITH HIM. ROTTIES ARE VERY LOVIABLE DOGS AND THEY SEEM TO GET TO CLOSE TO US.

[Judy Chrusch]

Lisa, I told you one way or another you'd get your answer. God gave you the answer so rest assured you're doing the right thing. I told you he'd come through for you and help you with your decision, that alone should give you some comfort. When my first Rottie, Brutus got sick I prayed for God to tell me when too, we couldn't do it ourselves and low and behold the night before Brutus was down stairs crying and crying and crying, he could no longer come upstairs. I just thought it was because we were up their and he was down so I went down and layed on the floor with him and he continued to cry, Ceasar layed with us and he knew too how sick Brutus was. I slept on the floor and held Brutus all night and the next day took him, so you see, I couldn't make that decision on my own and in that one moment I was given the answer. I just had to share that with you and Ceasar was the same thing. I think about you often and want you to know I'm praying for you and your family. It will all be alright, you are doing the only thing you can. You take care of yourself and I will be thinking of you next week and crying right along with you. I'm so so sorry Lisa.
Look at it this way Lisa, had he been with any other family they perhaps wouldn't have done half of what you did and no one would have loved him as much as you. You did everything humanly possible and then some, I commend you for that. He knows the love you have for him, now the greatest gift you can give him is to let him go. He will be united with Brutus, Ceasar and all the others who have crossed over.

Judy

[AngelBunny]

Sampson's Mom:

Oh, how I wish the situation was different for you and your family and Sampson. In July we put our Riga down due to complications associated with nasal carcinoma. Our vet came to the house and PussCat died, cradled by Mo and me. I had her head in my arms, against my chest. I watched my tears fall on her head, soaking her fur. I don't think there's anything harder than letting a dog you dearly love who has all your heart go to the bridge.

I'm so sorry for you.