I will preface this by saying I consider myself an animal lover. I would never intentionally hurt or abuse any animal for the pleasure of seeing something in pain. I think of myself as a good pet owner, or at least I try to be. Sometimes that’s not as easy as it sounds. In fact right now I’m at an impasse as to what is a good pet owner.
We got Charlie when he was ten weeks old. He is the only dog we picked out as a puppy and purposely brought home to raise. His parents were proven bird hunting dogs, so Mitch figured that Charlie would inherit those traits and he did. Charlie has always had a great nose, searching out pheasants. His points are picture perfect and he’s never been leery of the retrieve. He’s a good hunter despite having us as pet owners. Now after eleven years he still has that hunting heart and soul.
What he doesn’t have any more is all of his facilities. He is suffering from Canine Dementia or Cognitive Dysfunction. There isn’t a lot of good information out there on Canine Dementia, but he’s not exhibiting most of the symptoms, loss of sight, hearing or incontinence. No, Charlie has become very aggressive. He has always been a bit unstable, stemming from being attacked by the dogs of a former neighbor twice when he was a puppy. Those two incidents pretty much set the tone for his animal aggression for the rest of his life. Now an explosive episode comes without warning or provocation.
In the last two months Charlie has attacked Orso three times just for being within five feet of him. On one occasion, Charlie went after Orso and I was between the two so Charlie bit me, not breaking the skin, but he left a large bruise and a knot on my thigh. Another incident happened with Orso walking in the door and Charlie went after him drawing blood and when Mitch tried to separate Charlie from Orso, Charlie went after Mitch. Mitch said that when he looked in Charlie’s eyes, he wasn’t there. His eyes were dilated and blank, no recognition, just rage. Two of the last three episodes have drawn blood.
We’ve tried Diazepam (doggie valium) but it doesn’t help much. I think we were hoping he would sleep through his days and be blissfully dopey. Instead we still have a dog that gives way to explosive violence and aggressive attacks aimed at Orso. It is so heartbreaking to watch our dog (crazy as he is) slip away and become replaced by an animal that is more Mr. Hyde than Dr. Jekyll. It is even more heartbreaking knowing that we can’t protect Orso, who doesn’t have a mean bone in his body, doesn’t deserve any of this and loves Charlie so much.
Since we don’t have a vet here yet, we don’t have anyone we trust to talk to about this and ask for guidance, we called our vet in Kansas City to discuss our options. Sadly there are few out there, and only for the short term. More Diazepam maybe but this is only going to get worse. We need to plan for an end of life solution. We know this and accept it, but following through and finding a vet here feels almost like an act of cowardice. We took him to raise and euthanasia feels like we are failing Charlie; that we should figure out a way to fix him. That is our hearts talking, our heads know better, but that doesn’t make it hurt any less. It’s hard to even talk about it because to voice it and say the words, makes it real, and that means you have to make a decision.
I only hope that Charlie will sleep well and rest easy and know how much we have loved him his whole life. He was a good hunter, and loyal to a fault. A piece of my heart will go with him.
A woman's view of hunting...with men 
I know it will be hard as hell, but anyone who knows you and your devotion to the dogs will only give you support. On Feb 19, 2016 18:02, “A womans view of hunting…with men” wrote:
> susank456 posted: “I will preface this by saying I consider myself an > animal lover. I would never intentionally hurt or abuse any animal for the > pleasure of seeing something in pain. I think of myself as a good pet > owner, or at least I try to be. Sometimes that’s not as ” >
Thank you Ben, it helps.
Susan,
As one who has known, lived with, and loved dogs, and cats, and goats, and… all my life, I can empathize with your dilemma… I can say this… I share your grief at his condition, and, hopefully, the sharing of the feeling can spread it out, thus hopefully lessening it without taking it away…
Letting him go is right, I think. Dogs aren’t aggressive unless out of their natural state, not at his age, or to that degree. I can’t think it is all that comfortable for him to feel whatever dogs feel when they lose it like that; I suspect it is motivated by fear at the core. So, the old phrase used for necessary euthanasia, often used in battle, was ‘giving mercy’, to end their suffering…. How must he feel to have attacked his own friend? Or, you and Mitch? I’ve never believed the nonsense that animals of that sort don’t feel… how could they be so loyal without it?
I hope he rests in peace, and, you can find your own…. Orso will help….
Blessed Be…
gigoid
Thank you so much for your wonderfully kind words. We agonized for weeks over this decision, the clincher came after 3 unprovoked attacks in one morning, 2 at Orso and 1 at me. Thank you for the virtual hugs.
Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
Charlie sounds like a Champion, loved by a Champion!
Our Tippi Cat we kept home to die Buried hi on land we used to own (!)
I’m sorry for your loss. They may not be people but we love as much or more sometimes. Thank you for re-blogging it.
Thank you. That was 3 + years ago. Our diabetes prevents getting another (any scratch means a possibly bad infection).
That would be very bad. I’m sorry, because I know what a comfort our pets are and the joy they bring to us.
Yes, it is very hard some days! 🙂
Well you could always go visit cats and dogs at a shelter, hang out get your pet fix then go home and wipe off the cat/dog hair. All of the fun without the cost.
Oh hon, I’m only just seeing this. What a terrible situation to be in. You will make the right decision for all of the family, no matter how hard it will be. I did my best to help another blogger through the agonies of having to have her dog euthanised just a few weeks ago, so if you want to talk let me know.
Thank you, we ended up doing it Friday. He had just gone too far over the edge and came at me without any provocation. It was heartbreaking nut we didn’t have any other options.
I’m so sorry. I really hope you are okay. This is a huge loss for you.
Each day gets a little better, yes it has been really hard. The guilt for Orso and what he went through and the of what we had to do. We’ll get there. Thank you for your virtual hug.