MP_the4pack Posted November 29, 2010 Share Posted November 29, 2010 My niece adopted a young choc lab mix 8 months ago. She showed me videos of him playing non stop. This was the first dog that was hers and not the family pet. (she grew up with a yellow lab) This is what she wrote: Yea, really rough couple of weeks. His food aggression (which I knew about when I got him) was worsening into outright unpredictable aggression. I spent the last two weeks staying home from work, working on his issues, working with a trainer who specializes in behavior issue dogs, and exploring all of my options with him. He only got worse, and after a lot of soul searching and consultations with various trainers who specialize in behavior issues (including the woman at the xxxxxxx Humane Society who worked with him there), I decided my only option was unfortunately to have him euthanized. It was the worst, most painful decision I've ever had to make, but I believe ultimately it was the best one for both myself and him. He had some serious issues, and no shelter would have taken him (or those that would have taken him would have eventually euthanized him after performing behavior assessments on him). After talking with all of the different trainers I had to accept that they were not issues we could have trained out of him, but instead were indicative of something wrong with him mentally. And the aggression was only getting worse...seemingly unprovoked and even towards me. So on Tuesday I hired a vet to come to our house and euthanize him, after a full day of playing fetch and running and playing in the creek behind our house. Pretty much one of the worst things I've ever had to go through, but I know it was ultimately the right decision. The trainer at the xxxxxxx Humane Society told me that had she had any incline of his issues back in January, they likely would have euthanized him back then (she felt terrible that she had missed this and put me through all of this with him). So I'm comforted at least that I was able to give him an extra 8 months of what could very easily be described as the greatest life ever for a dog (I mean...8 hours a day, 5-6 days a week outside playing on the bank of a river? not too shabby for Varly). Anyway, yea, so that was rough. Definitely put a damper on Thanksgiving. I feel so bad for her. This is a horrible first experience being a dog owner. RIP Varly, I'm sorry it didn't work out for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saharasmom Posted November 29, 2010 Share Posted November 29, 2010 So sad. RIP Varly and I hope your neice finds peace with her decision. Quote Rebeccawith Atlas the borzoi, Luna the pyr, and Madison the cat, always missing Sahara(Flyin Tara Lyn) and Coltrane(Blue on By) the greyhounds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MandysMom Posted November 29, 2010 Share Posted November 29, 2010 I'm so sorry. Godspeed Varly. Quote Beverly. Missing my happy toy-flinging boy Sammy (Where's Mandrill), (8/12/2009-9/30-2021) Desperately missing my angel Mandy (BB's Luv) [7/1/2000 - 9/18/2012]. Always missing Meg the Dalmatian and Ralph Malph the Pekeapoo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remolacha Posted November 29, 2010 Share Posted November 29, 2010 How sad I once had a cat like that, unpredictably aggressive, and just got worse as he matured. One vet said he was just "wired wrong". Obviously animals don't have the same mental illness as people, but they can have chemical imbalances in their brain, like people. Rare, but when it happens, there is nothing you can do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greybookends Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Gingergrey Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 So sorry to hear of your loss. Godspeed Varly. Indeed, a difficult decision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batmom Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 That is hard. Hugs to your niece. Godspeed, Varly. Quote Star aka Starz Ovation (Ronco x Oneco Maggie*, litter #48538), Coco aka Low Key (Kiowa Mon Manny x Party Hardy, litter # 59881), and mom in IllinoisWe miss Reko Batman (Trouper Zeke x Marque Louisiana), 11/15/95-6/29/06, Rocco the thistledown whippet, 04/29/93-10/14/08, Reko Zema (Mo Kick x Reko Princess), 8/16/98-4/18/10, the most beautiful girl in the whole USA, my good egg Joseph aka Won by a Nose (Oneco Cufflink x Buy Back), 09/22/2003-03/01/2013, and our gentle sweet Gidget (Digitizer, Dodgem by Design x Sobe Mulberry), 1/29/2006-11/22/2014, gone much too soon. Never forgetting CJC's Buckshot, 1/2/07-10/25/10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dante2zoe Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 My condolences to your niece. My first pet (a cat) as an adult had a terminal illness that finally settled in her brain and she developed the same symptoms. Very tough decision to have to make. RIP, Varly. Quote Cindy with Miss Fancypants, Paris Bueller, Zeke, and Angus Dante (Dg's Boyd), Zoe (In a While), Brady (Devilish Effect), Goose (BG Shotgun), Maverick (BG ShoMe), Maggie (All Trades Jax), Sherman (LNB Herman Bad) and Indy (BYB whippet) forever in my heart The flame that burns the brightest, burns the fastest and leaves the biggest shadow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cully Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 Run free sweet baby. Quote waiting at the bridge Connie Van Teddy & Jojo, Cobra Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robinw Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 Quote Xavi the galgo and Peter the cat. Missing Iker the galgo ?-Feb.9/19, Treasure (USS Treasure) April 12/01-May 6/13, Phoenix (Hallo Top Son) Dec.14/99-June 4/11 and Loca (Reko Swahili) Oct.9/95 - June 1/09, Allen the boss cat, died late November, 2021, age 19. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sabrina Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 Hard, hard decision for your niece to have to make please send her my regets. Quote Caroline, Mom to Daphne (49B-50215) and Penny (41D-55779)Remembering Bridge Angels Margo and Sabrina Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jettcricket Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 So sad....my niece, many years ago, had a chocolate lab with the same type of aggression issues. They too had taken Jake to their vet to be PTS. Sometimes there are things that are just out of our control no matter how hard we try. My heart goes out to them.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carronstar Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 Godspeed, Varly. Having had to make a very similar decision years ago, my heart goes out to your niece. It is just gut wrenching. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brandimom Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 Please convey our sincere sympathy to your niece. Godspeed Varly and may the wind always be at your back. Hugs to your niece. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MP_the4pack Posted November 30, 2010 Author Share Posted November 30, 2010 Please convey our sincere sympathy to your niece. Godspeed Varly and may the wind always be at your back. Hugs to your niece. I've sent this link to her. She's getting comfort from those who have gone thru it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greypuppyluv Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 How awful that your niece had to make such a heart wrenching decision. to your niece. Quote Paula & her pups--Paneer (WW Outlook Ladd), Kira & Rhett (the whippets)Forever in my heart...Tinsel (Born's Bounder - 11/9/90-12/18/01), Piper, Chevy, Keno, Zuma, Little One, Phaelin & WinnieGreyhound Adoption Center ~ So Cal rep for Whippet Rescue And Placement For beautiful beaded collars, check out my Facebook page: The Swanky Hound Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinM Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 Totally heartbreaking. I am so sorry. Quote ROBIN ~ Mom to: Beau Think It Aint, Chloe JC Allthewayhome, Teddy ICU Drunk Sailor, Elsie N Fracine , Ollie RG's Travertine, Ponch A's Jupiter~ Yoshi, Zoobie & Belle, the kitties. Waiting at the bridge Angel Polli Bohemian Ocean , Rocky, Blue,Sasha & Zoobie & Bobbi Greyhound Angels Adoption (GAA) The Lexus Project Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest beezelbarb Posted December 1, 2010 Share Posted December 1, 2010 What horrible choices we have sometimes. I'm sure your niece made the best decision she could. Please convey my condolences for her loss of Varly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Flysmom Posted December 1, 2010 Share Posted December 1, 2010 I am sorry! I hope your niece will find peace in knowing that she did everything possible to help Varly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giadog Posted December 2, 2010 Share Posted December 2, 2010 What a horrible choice to be forced to make. My heart goes out to your niece. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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