Nicole MacDonald Author

Author Nicole MacDonald's website

The hardest decision ever

by 23 Comments


I can’t stop crying. We had to have our beautiful boy put down today. The short and skinny is that he was getting more aggressive towards males, and other dogs. Then last week he deliberately climbed into our neighbors yard. Our neighbors whom have two French Mastiffs. Otis was only 36kg compared to two dogs that I’d hazard were around 50kg each. You may remember he fell into their yard once last year. They only had the one dog at the time and he still got a hiding from that. That however was an accident and last week’s one was intentional. We know because he had to rip down a lot of wire mesh and other building materials to get to them. He also had to squeeze through a bunch of spiky trees. In short, he was damn determined to do it.
We patched him up and Glenn rebuilt the section of fence and added to it. He only stopped limping on Saturday. Then Glenn rang me at work today to say an animal ranger had found him and he needed urgent medical attention. The ranger also said he was too aggressive for her to get close. So we made the heart breaking, but necessary decision to have him put to sleep. We couldn’t protect him from himself any more, and we couldn’t risk anyone else getting hurt.
It just hurts so much. Otherwise, he was the perfect dog. Always wanting cuddles and following me everywhere for more cuddles. Snuggling next to you at any opportunity. He loved popping balloons and shredding the ends of toilets rolls. He still did his puppy run when you got home and his excited twirl before you fed him. He loved going up the bush and pretending he was a tough bush dog (even though he cried when he got lost). He adored our niece and nephew, and any kids for that matter, and I’ll never forget the time they camped out in our lounge. Both dogs took turns watching over the kids (I got up to check on them at 2am ;p). He did the worst farts – period – and had the hardest head known (made me see stars on more than one occasion). His whip like tail drew tears when it caught you across the nose and he never, ever, stopped wagging it. Even when we took him to the vet that last, awful time.
I wish so much that we hadn’t had to do it. But part of me knew last week when he did it, that this was a possible outcome. His sister is lying beside me, silent for once. We know she knows. I can only be so grateful we had such a fantastic 7+ years with him. He was such a beautiful, cheerful and happy dog. I’m gonna miss him so much.
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Comments

  1. I'm so sorry, I hate putting down animals. Last summer I had to put down the dog I'd had since I was seven, it was a heartbreak. His tail was wagging when we put him down to. It does really hurt, but having another animal helps so much.

    Reply

  2. Oh Nicole. 🙁

    I am truly sorry. I am so so so sorry. He sounds so beautiful and wonderful and was obviously a most happy contented doggy with you. We are so sorry you've had to make this decision.

    Big big hugs. Please take care
    x

    Reply

  3. Im so sorry to hear this! 🙁 ((HUGS)) There is nothing that matches the loss of a pet. Take comfort in the fact he was well loved and lived the best possible life he could have with your love and care. It will get easier everyday, my thoughts are with you in this sad time . X

    Reply

  11. Oh Nicole, that's heartbreaking. I'm so sorry for your loss. That one of the hardest decisions we ever have to make. I feel for you, truly.

    Hugs to you and Glen.

    Sally

    poo, it's not letting me post with my profile, stupid blogger.

    Mustang Sally @ Functional Kaos

    aha, I believe it's working now … of course

    Reply

  12. Oh, I feel you. Nothing worse than having to make those decisions. We recently had to put our kitty down–he was sick, yes, but his behavoir issues pushed us over the edge. He wasn't happy and he was making the other cats unhappy, too. I know it's best in the end, but it's still awful.

    Reply

  15. Hi, Nicole. I was just thinking about you the other day. It had been a long time since I had visited here. Maybe this is why you were in my thoughts.
    So sorry to hear this news.

    -Jimmy

    Reply

  22. Hi Nicole,
    I'm a new fan…just read The Arrival and came here to learn more about book #2. I am so sorry to hear about your dog. I totally understand your feelings. I have a female Great Dane that we rescued from a kill shelter just a year ago. We don't know all of her history, but what we do know isn't good. She was basically chained up in the back yard for her first 2 years of life. Then her owner surrendered her. She was on the Put to Sleep list when I heard about her and rescued Bella. Bella is also male aggressive. She wasn't that way when we first got her, but she is now that way with everyone except "Dad", to some degree. We also just found out that she has "Wobblers" disease. She had heart worms when we first got her, and it was a hard, painful treatment, but she is better now and no longer has heart worms.

    I'm sure your boy knew how loved he was, and was happy to have been with you as well. God bless you!

    Marge Janiak

    Reply

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