Pet dog dies.
 

In the last hour or so one of our two pet dogs was hit by a car. We have always let them out the front door to run around the front lawn. This evening was no exeption except the other dog started to bark.

I guess at the cars that stopped to check the dog on the side of the road. She was there as calm as possible trying to get the rear end activated again. Obviously in no pain although there was an abrasion on the rear paw.

. It was snowing and she may not have realised the front property line was exceeded as she never went on the road. The road was snow covered. There is no curb as a marker so it may have been a legitimate misteak.

Well got a blanket after verification the vet would come in for an emergency. The dog travelled well to the vet and did not even mind me clearing the snow off the car before we left. When I reentered the car she was still trying to reorient herself into a sitting position but gave up and parked her head on my arm.

I was pretty sure the back was broken and really just needed the vet to verify it and put her to sleep. She almost seemed to enjoy the drive in and meeting the vet.

The vet did a few tests and confirmed the suspected senario. I asked the vet to put her to sleep. I held her head in my hands with no need to restrain movement and talked to her while the vet administered the anesthetic. My only consolation is she had a good life for her eight years and never suffered at all in any way from birth to death I am aware of. She would not have even felt the needle enter her rear leg as there was no feeling.

Passing slowly and peaccefully away with an overdose of anesthesia. Most our pets over the years have led full lives. It is so hard for me to this even if logical. As I type this tears are rolling down my face with the only consolation that there was absolutly no suffering from the moment of impact till the very end. She is in a plastic bag wrapped in a blanket out in the car until I bury her tommorow morning.

Frost is not established in the ground here yet. Our other dog will look for her for a few days I know so we will keep an eye on him. It is unbelievable how much we get attached to our pets. Probably far less than they get attached to us perhaps.

The vet asked me if I wanted to spend a little time with her before doing what was required. I felt that would not serve any real purpose. As I sit here I wonder if it would have. Some things in life have to remain an unknown.

Her name was lady and everyone liked her. A couple of hours ago she was a happy member of the family. Now she no longer exists other than in our memories. If her purpose in life was to make a family happy she accomplished her purpose well..She will also miss the ravages of old age.

I feel for you, brother.

We love our little mini dachshund as much as you loved your dog, and the time is getting close when we'll have to make the decision to put her down.

I know I will cry like a baby when the time comes, but it's part of the grieving process.

Sorry to hear about your loss.

Sorry to hear :( My condolences. Similar thing happened to my pups mother. But after a couple days she was back on her paws again. The vet, in her case, concluded temporary paralyses. It sure was a wake up call and very scary.

So very sorry to hear about your loss. Can't say it's an easy thing to do. :(

I don't have anything to offer except that I'll be thinking about this for the coming week.

Condolences on your loss.


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Very sorry to hear that news brother... we have had a dog ever since I was small and they're always are part of the family , hurts like hell when they pass.

Went through nearly identical scenario years ago. Most difficult thing I ever had to do. You have my sympathies.

I considered this as well. Or gave it a little consideration. . Unfortunatly it in this case it would have been a long shot at best. Having her home for several weeks watching for some form of possible recovery would have been too much. She would have had no control of her bowels etc. All the time us knowing we might still have to put her to sleep.

Then the decision to put her down or keeping her as a parapalegic if she did not recover. If that is what you call it when there is no reaction to severe stimulious or motor function below about the mid point of the back.

Also she felt no discomfort at all from that paw with the abraision. she should have been howling. It seems to me there is less pain if they manage to live their natural lifespan first. Even then it is far from easy.

It was as if the only issue to her was the lack of ability to make anything move or respond when trying and as I said no discomfort at all. Of course this included ability to wag her tail. The vet thought it was hopeless as well. Besides having to have to put her to sleep I needed and wanted her opinion just in case it might be otherwise.

I am not a doctor or vet. Knowing what the possibility was I took a plastic bag and blanket to the vet. There was no problem lifting or manipulating her. she felt nothing from the upper mid point of her back rearward.

Our other dog will hopefully live his full life out. He is twelve now and in good shape but twelve is getting up there. We always have had pet dogs as part of the family. This evening I wonder if there will be any more after the other fellow eventually passes. I guess the wife will probably determine this.

Thanks to you and all others for your expressions of concern. Many members on our site have pets. As of a few hours ago Lady is at peace. No concerns about the endless exertions to try to make her tail and legs function.

I of course would preffer her to be happy running somewhere instead. Instead for her life is gone. I know that she is beyond living issues. The residents of this household now grieve over this outcome for now.

I had a similar incident this evening and just got home. This is our first substantial snow of the season

This was with a dog that I didn't know, about a 10-15 pound white poodle mix with a nice collar but no tags. I found him farther off to the side of the road shivering and incoherent. I couldn't tell if he had been hit or not. I had other things to do, but I went ahead and loaded him into the warm car and drove him cross town to the emergency vet clinic here in town. I couldn't find any visible damage but didn't like the orientation of his spine, and he was frozen to the bone. In the 20 minute drive he started rallying a bit, focusing on me and getting his breathing more controlled.

I dropped him off at the Vet clinic and they took him back as a critical. They had me fill out a few good Samaritan papers and describe where I found him. I wanted to stay and wait around, but she was pretty quit to scoot me out and I didn't insist much. I thought I wouldn't here from them again, but planned on calling to check in that morning.

Turns out the woman saw my concern and was kind enough to call and let me know that he was responding to IV fluids and coming around. His back appeared to be fine and they didn't see any obvious injuries. Of course you don't know if there's something internal, but he may have just been frozen or taken a glancing blow and was shook up.

I do think I'll still check in tomorrow, but at least there's some good news coming in this evening.

To the OP, I'm very sorry. Old age for these guys sucks too. The decay, suffering and eventual decision is agonizing. Went though it a few years ago.
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Barry, sorry to hear that. Our cat died not too long ago. I feel your pain.

Your a damn fine person Tyler!

I agree not many would make any effort. You know Tyler that good deeds over the years can have an enoumous benifit to the doer. That dog and owner may be reunited with some luck. Odds are the dog means something to someone.

I appreciated the three cars that stopped out front. The car that hit the dog was not one. The last two of the cars had to stop as the first car blocked the road.

A snowplow went by about ten minutes after we went to the vet my wife mentioned. Our dog could have been left to freeze to death under plowed snow if the first person had not stopped making the barking of our other dog get our atttention.

Sorry for your loss man.

BT, DT; very sorry to hear this, my friend. I believe you did the right thing, though. I, too, second-guess myself to this day about the decision I made; that's the nature of difficult choices. As guardians, we are charged with making these very complicated decisions. Since our pets can't tell us what they're feeling, making the call is our responsibility. I know my best buddy Felix trusted me completely, and I know his time had come. I am glad I was there with him in the end, but it was one of the most difficult things I have ever done.

Hang in there, buddy!