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<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN
class=289562411-21042010>Its not hard to imagine. Not even hard to see the
reasons for it..</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN
class=289562411-21042010></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN
class=289562411-21042010>I had to make that call for my nephew. "his" dog
he called her, yet he was never there to care for her, we were moving, and there
would be no way she could stay upstairs in the new house (a rental), hell
she could barely stand, and often required us to lift her. The only place
she could have been in the new house, was down stairs with me .. the back door
only has three steps up and out... but where am I most of the time? at
work. I don't see my boys (3 bassets) as much as I want to now as it is, I
mean if it wasn't for the fact that we sleep on the same bed, they'd miss even
more time with me ... and its not like anyone else in the house would come down
stairs except when they *had* to, not like anyone would take care of *her*
unless they HAD too, often times not bothering to clean up her pee, oh they
might sprinkle some of that carpet fresh to have it soak up the pee, but then
leave the stuff to crust for days and thusly further ruin the carpet ... if it
weren't for poo stinking so much they'd never bother with it either, but it
stinks, so they'd get that up to stop the smell ... </SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN
class=289562411-21042010></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN
class=289562411-21042010>I told him, it was time to let her go ... I "made him"
let her go ... she was still happy enough to be around people and my boys,
always had the smiles, thumping tail and presented for belly for rubs from me..
but her quality of life was far less than it should be, and I can't hold a gun
to my nephew's head to make him do things for her.. likewise I really couldn't
have made him be with me when we let her go, and I take the heat he gives when
he's angry saying its my fault she's not with us.. all the while knowing if he
had REALLY wanted to keep her he needed only get a reliable job (at that time
easily done), move in with the friends that he always threatens he'll do, and
take care of her himself.. but no.. not him... too easy to blame someone else
for "his dog".</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN
class=289562411-21042010></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN
class=289562411-21042010>No ... its easy to understand making that decision when
the quality of life, is going down hill ... the "end on the high notes", the
"before we come home and find her having died retching in pain" .... the "hit by
a car" or any of the other nastier ways to go .... yes I can barely see those
issues, and know it will be the toughest thing for me when its solely my
decision ... but that may be where that decision process splits those of us that
CAN and those of us that Can't.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN
class=289562411-21042010></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN class=289562411-21042010>I
can't see them suffer again, I can't see them leaving in pain, so I can make the
choice to let them go, its the last honorable act I *can* do for them ... rather
than stick them in a shelter, rather than have them be ill and having to adjust
to some foreign place, foreign people they'd have to tolerate or learn new ways
with ... I *CAN* let them go if I have too .... I just hope I never have to
again.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN
class=289562411-21042010></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN
class=289562411-21042010>Everyone has their own situation, everyone has
something that pushes them to that edge ... those of you humans that don't live
in my world, need to at least understand it may happen. I've learned that
the best I can do for dog, is to try and make their transition as easy as
possible. Try to be consistent with dog, live in dogs good graces if need
be, give treats and be generous for dog. </SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN
class=289562411-21042010></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN class=289562411-21042010>In
those ways, where I am granted the peace to overcome my anger at a situation, I
know dog is there ... I know in fact that I have three such dogs waiting for me
now, and they won't judge me harshly because I was late, dog doesn't hate me for
not thinking on them 24/7 .... because I'm there now, that's what
matters.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN
class=289562411-21042010></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN class=289562411-21042010>Now
please know that I don't condone irresponsible people getting animals, nor do I
think that mean and nasty "mister wilson" on the corner shouldn't be allowed to
take part in having an animal, especially a dog if he's more kin to them,
because maybe that will change *his* world in some positive way ... dog can do
that ... they've been doing that for me all my life, I hope they can do
that for you too.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN
class=289562411-21042010></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN
class=289562411-21042010>-Robert</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial></FONT><FONT
color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial></FONT><FONT color=#0000ff size=2
face=Arial></FONT><BR></DIV>
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<HR tabIndex=-1>
<FONT size=2 face=Tahoma><B>Subject:</B> [Dailydrool] Dora at HOP & I just
don't get it!<BR></FONT><BR>I also wanted to chime in with a comment that no
matter how many times I hear myself say it (or type it), I still JUST DON"T GET
IT! How on earth could someone love<SPAN class=289562411-21042010><FONT
color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial> </FONT></SPAN>a dog for 14 years (or one
month even), and just decide to have it put down just because they can't keep it
any more???? Likewise, how could a person under the same circumstances abandon
said dog. How could that person not even consider doing the best they can by
said animal, finding it a better home or if given no other options, take it to a
shelter.</DIV>
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