My Dog

It's probably not so serious, but I don't get attached to things often, so....

My mom had my dog put down today.

He didn't have to die...
She had him killed because he's bitten a few people. (which is his job by the way) But he bit her friend, and obviously he's young and still not trained enough to know better than to bite every stranger that comes into the house. But he'd been getting better. She hadn't even been seriously injured..

I loved that dog, and that's saying a lot because I've only ever been able to say that about three or four things. As a consequence, I'm not used to grief or loss. I was only a little sad when my dad died, but really not very. I haven't been able to stop crying all day now. It bothers me though that no one else in my family seems affected by the loss. My mom laughed and joked with the animal control lady when she came to pick my dog up. No one else really seemed to care either way that the dog that had been born in our house, who we've had for longer than any other pet, was about to die. Am I just overreacting, or is my family really so much more heartless than I'd ever thought...?

I’m sorry for your loss LexaproSunshine. It’s unfortunate your family is not supportive about this. I think some of us get more attached to animal companions than others. Some will say ‘it’s just a dog’ but anyone who has developed a strong bond with a pet knows differently. Losing someone you love is always hard even if that someone is a dog. There is something very special about the unconditional love a dog gives. Crying is natural and it will take time to heal.

I’m glad you are talking about your feeling here. There are plenty of people who will understand your grief, here and in the real world, even if those people aren’t your family. I don’t know that your family is heartless. They may not have had a strong bond with an animal before and just can’t relate. Maybe they bottle up their feelings. You are not overreacting to the loss but try not to be too hard on your family either.

Hugs LexaproSunshine. Take care.

LexaproSunshine, I'm sorry you are feeling bad, but unfortunately, any dog who has bitten more than once is considered a danger to people. Presumably your Mother reported the incident. No-one can have a dog put down for biting, unless the matter is reported to the authorities, unless your Mother just took the dog directly to the vets and ordered to have it put down. Even then, I don't think the vet can do it without other instruction. One important thing to keep in mind is, you can still have another dog, but even more important, any dog, however well trained, can still have the potential to be a danger to people.

In lightweightweight of the heartbreaking BSL report this week, I wanted to share a Positively Pit Bull article that sheds a lightweightweight on the courses dogs can educate us. It is possible to overwhelm prejudice and fear!