Have to put my dog down

[bear_1dr]

I am going to have to put my 5.5 year old Shih-Tzu down. Six months ago she had emergency back surgery for a burst disc. It cost $3000 and I am still paying it off. Now she is having the same problem again. I could go into more debt, but when would it stop? The vet said that this sort of thing could be recurring. I am so sad because she is such a good dog and deserves an owner who can afford to help her, but what can I do? No one will take a dog who will require multiple thousand dollar surgeries. I will hate myself for putting her down at such a young age and I will miss her so much. How can I get through this?

[Kegrilovessmu]

Be thankful for the time you had with your dog, but let it go. Your dog will just suffer if you keep putting it through that. Don't feel bad that you can't afford the surgeries, feel good that you'll end your dogs suffering. I have three dogs, and I know it wouldn't be easy to let any of them go, but I would if it meant they weren't hurting. Sorry you're going through this.

[Carolm1958]

I feel for your situation because I am also a dog lover. I have nine of my own and they are all like my own children. But there always comes a time in life when we are faced with difficult decisions such as this one.

Putting your dog down for what it's physical and medical problem does not mean that you don't love your dog. You have surpassed what most dog lover would do. There comes a time in life when we just have to love our pet enough to let it go. And that does not make you a bad person either.

You would be surprised what prayer will do as well. My chihuahua was diagnosed with mammary cancer. Her entire set of mammaries were black and swollen and hard as golf balls. You could not touch her. I took her to the vet and all she wanted to do was exploratory surgery on her. I refused the surgery because first of all I could not afford it. It did not mean she wasn't worth it. It just wasn't financially possible.

So after refusing the surgery, I asked for some antibiotics. The vet reluctantly agreed and gave them to me. I gave her only one dose and my husband an I prayed over our precious dog Louise, giving her back to God and asking for is will should He decide to heal her. We praise Him and thanked Him. The very next morning her symptoms and cancer was gone. The vet could only chalk that up to a miracle and a prayer answered. I will keep you and your beloved dog in my prayers. God bless you
Carolm1958

[tigerant5000]

Putting down a beloved pet is always something hard to do. I agree, remembering the good times you both share is important. You don't want to see this dog suffer any longer. I had 2 cats that had to be put down, and it was the most difficult thing I ever had to do.

my 1st cat, we had for 9 years, I got him when I was 9. He had to be put to sleep, he had a brain tumor and had tested positive for cancer. He was a beautiful tom, about 17lbs. I still miss him to this day.

my 2nd cat tiffany(had her 11yrs, was hit by a car on purpose. She had 2 broken back legs, and other numerous breaks, including her spine, they recommended putting her to sleep, since she would never been the same even if she survived the surgery
(very costly)

I have numerous pictures of both. I often take them out, and remember the good times