How do you do it?

I'm sure most of you remember my post about Dixie. Well, she's still alive but not for much longer I'm afraid. $5000+ and the best brains at Auburn, MS State, and Texas couldn't figure out how to save her, I guess.

I'm not doing it until I talk to the vet next week, but I expect him to agree that she's to the point of not being able to be saved.

Most people take their dogs to the vet for a shot, but she HATES the vet and I'd hate for her last memory to be scared at the vet's office.

In my mind's eye I'd like to take her for a long walk, let her tree a squirrel and shoot her while she's treeing but I'm pretty positive I'd not be able to pull the trigger.

My husband said he wouldn't like it, but he COULD pull the trigger which may seem to be the best option?

I know a lot of you have had to put down dogs that weren't just dogs.... but friends. How did you all choose to do it?

Im lucky i work with a couple of vets on a regular basis and when ive been faced with this they came to the house and took care of them for me with no stress for the dog. Ill keep you both in my thoughts and prayers.

By my own hand. I didn't want others around to see my emotions plus the ordeal of loading her up and bringing her home. I pre-dug the hole and buried her here on the place.
It's tough.
GB your decision.

You have two good options outlined above. I’ve had the vet come to my house before also…not for the dogs sake but my own. I get attached to my top performing hounds and it’s an emotional mess when it comes to the end. More common every day hounds get the green mile to the hole.

I don't know if my vet will do housecalls, but it was my first thought also.

Either way sucks, but in the end and in time you'll feel good you done the right thing. Time does have a way of healing. Will pray for your husband and you.

It just costs more…and at this point, it seems like a little more won’t matter.

Not an easy thing to do, but I have a .22 Deringer, and a box of .22 short, low velocity shells in the safe strictly for dog use. If I take care of a dog it's whole life, I feel obligated to take care of them that final time, not something I want a stranger to do. 10 dogs out back under the grass, and 2 on top.

Vet at home,less stress for my friends.

When Lass my wifes Miniature Collie passed we had the vet come out and do it. First she gave her a sleeping Shot then the ending one. My wife and I were there and it was better that way. She was 17 and in pain.

Sad to hear about your dog not getting better but at home if possible is the best way. We get very close to our family pets. I have put a few of my own down and it is always very difficult and emotionally stressful. But I am not one to see a animal suffering. Whatever you decide to do all your friends here are thinking of you.

I am real sorry to hear about your dog. I have had to shoot a couple in my life. I liked em too much not to. I dont think about it a lot cause I get wet eyes. Seems like the right thing to do is the hard thing pretty often in this world.

the last few dogs we had , I took for a walk ,

Sadly most of my friends call me, their buddy that traps. I tell them to dig the plot They walk back with me, say their goodbyes and leave it for me to handle. I will cover the dog up or they can. I'm sorry you have to do this. Dispatch is with a .22

WE have a vet that will come to the calm of your home. Check around. It is always hard on you to put a dog down. Give Dixie a treat and a pat on the head for me.

I like the treein' a squirrel idea. had an old springer spaniel that went a similar way. she'll be there waggin her stubby tail I like to think when I get to the gate. it's terrible either way, steel yourself, this too will pass.

I allowed our previous dog to suffer way too long. He couldn’t even walk, so I put him in a wheel barrow and pushed him around the farm one more time. We stopped at the barn and I retrieved a rifle. Coming out I was behind him, I did the deed and then just held him until it was finished. It was a tough day.

When I was younger and the time came I would dig the grave, we have a pet cemetery on our property. I'd give them a good last meal or their favorite treat if they wanted it then I'd take them down to the grave site by the edge of the woods and spend some time with them before shooting them with a shot that guaranteed instant death.

I told my wife several years ago I no longer wanted to do it that way, it got emotionally too hard on me.

Our second last dog to die passed unexpectedly so I was spared.

Out last dog to pass was the most beloved pet we've had in my fifty-plus years of owning them. Shadow was my daughter's dog but lived in my house most of his long life. I made it clear that I wasn't going to do it the old way. My daughter arranged for a vet to come out one evening. Shadow and his whole family (me, my wife and three daughters) were going to gather on the edge of our pond, the pond he loved to swim and hunt frogs in. The vet was going to give him the injection there.

The evening before that was supposed to happen, as I was going to bed, I lay down beside Shadow on his dog bed in the living room. We stared into each other's eyes for a long time and we both knew the time was very near. I told him goodbye and that he was such a good dog. Later that night/early the next morning I got up to go to the bathroom and passed near the living room. I paused to listen and could no longer hear him breathing. I knew he was gone. Later that morning I called my youngest and told her. She came up to say her goodbyes and we buried him in the pet cemetery.

It's been years now and I'm still getting all misty as I type this.

Anyhow, if you can find a vet in your area that will perform that service I believe it is the bast way. And I agree with you about going to the vet. My dogs hate going to the vet, I would never want to subject them to that sort of stress and anxiety in their last hour.

I've done it both ways, both suck.
And it's cumulative.
Gets harder every time.

Man, this is a depressive thread! Sorry you're having to deal with this, yotetrapper. Probably the easiest route for you guys is to have the vet come to you if possible.