This is why I won't say 'never' when it comes to euthanasia. Some dogs really are suffering and can't be helped. Where I worked we were able to help (or get help) for the vast majority of dogs that were brought in with behavioral issues (most brought in by owners who just didn't know what else to do...so sad). It is not compassionate to sentence a dog to a life in a cage, tied up or muzzled, unable to interact normally with people or other animals. It might make us feel better to have the dog alive and think we 'saved' it but it is no life for the dog.

But that is just my opinion. Others see animals as equal to people so there are obvious strong passions on both sides. I don't apologize for my opinion but I have already apologized to etaylor for allowing it to get the best of me in this thread.

OMG....I recently came across a similar issue on another pet-related board. I haven't even read through this entire thread yet, but....


You must be referring to the SBH, such as my non-medically treatable ADD son, prior to the time they had such diagnosis. So, he was diagnosed, "Minimal Brain Dsyfunction & Severely Behaviorally Handicapped."

So flame me here, becuase I have owned dogs more of my life than my children lived with me (they are all now successful and on their own)............I will clearly state without any confusion, that

IMO, I can probably find about a million ways to equate dogs and kids when it comes to behavior.

And, I love them both!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

E.Taylor: Don't feel a bit of guilt about this situation. Rehoming, if possible; and whatever alternative must be done to keep all safe. I doubt anyone who has not viewed these injuries so bad to require surgery can know how dangerous this can be. There are many no-kill shelters (that is what they say) in my area who find themselves euthanizing dogs they have deemed as agressive and unsafe. Where I live, no-kill shelters DO euthanize, when necessary for safety.

There was no "cat fight". It was two people expressing their own opinions. That is what board forums are for. e.taylor and I have now talked privately via pm as we can post all the opinions we want on this thread but that doesn't help her to achieve what she is longing to.

I respect and value everyone's opinions on this board and I would assume that most feel the same way.

If expressing different opinions is cat fighting then all board forum's might as well not exist.

I trust that btrflai was trying to help as was I....each from very different perspectives. I do regret that my emotions got the better of me but I did not see myself (or btrflai) as engaging in cat fight. I didn't take it that way and I'm glad that she didn't either. No hard feelings here.

Ladywolfe, I too love dogs and kids. I simply meant that there are limits to what I will do for a dog as compared to a child. They are not equal in that regard. I would give my organs for my own child. I would sell my house, move across the country, change jobs, work 10 jobs, empty my bank accounts/retirement funds, risk my own safety for my child. I would stand in front of a moving train if it would help. I would do none of those things for any of the dogs I have owned over my life and I loved them all too.

I have often joked with friends that puppies make good training for parents before they have kids. You have to be prepared to get up in the night, you have to puppy proof the house and they will still manage to get something in their mouths that they aren't supposed to have. Once you think you have it all figured out, they change the rules and come up with something new. One of our dogs figured out how to open the kitchen cabinet doors when he was 13 years old....I guess old dogs can learn new tricks. LOL. It is a full time commitment and there are some amusing similarities but it is not the same as having a child, IMO.
We don't have any dogs now, we lost our last guy only recently. As the kids are nearing college I want to travel with DH and it wouldn't be fair to have a dog when I know we would be leaving so much. Maybe one day we will have a dog again, I miss them.

A little OT but everyone treats their pets differently. I remember this one time my DH picked up our dog like a baby and then gave her a raspberry on her tummy, lol!! The look on one of his friend's faces was priceless!! He was completely disgusted. But they are different with their pets, and treat them as pets. I would do just about anything for our dogs, as I would for my kids. The love is the same for me.

Omg, jcent!!!!!! You have me cracking up over here!! The things my DH and I do with our four leggers are hilarious and often leave our friends stumped as well. Lol

Morning glory - never any hard feelings Thank you for sharing your opinion.

OK, we never gave our dogs raspberries. They seemed content with a good scratching. We had one dog that liked to be vacuumed instead of brushed. I'd finish with the floors and then let the kids vacuum the dog, lol. It was pretty funny, the kids would laugh hysterically...it was their favorite chore.

How funny!!! I wish my doggie let me vacuum her. Lol She flips out when she hears a vacuum or blow dryer. When she's at the groomer she nips at the air in the direction of the blow dryer they use in her. The groomer said its hilarious because she does it the entire time they dry her!

I have had dogs all my life as well... Got my first pup when I was 1 and my parents learned I was going to have a little brother. I love dogs, in fact, I love them more than most people as well...

And while I would do anything for my kids, I will do anything for my doggies as well. If my dog and the neighbor's kid were in chance of being run over, I would rescue my dog! (don't tell my neighbor, LOL)

Anyway, my dogs sleep on my bed, Sally even shares my pillow with me, I give them kisses all the time, have given them raspberries and everything I can. I just wish that the two I currently have were more cuddly with me.

You guys have been great and I haven't been upset or offended by anyone here. I truly appreciate all that you have shared. I'm starting to get a plan in place, and hope to have the behaviorist come down late this week.

I'm really drained, and I'm sorry I can't write more. I have pm's to return and I will-but probably not tonight. This has been a really hard day.

Thanks for sharing experiences and perspectives. It was quite helpful to me. Love my sparklie sisters!