I had a dog die in my arms today

[Bossanova]

Today was the first time I actually felt helpless in my adult life. As many of you may or may not know, I work with guide dogs for the blind. Without getting into minor details, i was not in my assigned kennel today with my regular 20 dogs so this makes this day harder to take. Now I was actually outside of my kennel which two other people were working for me. I was helping a student with a problem dog on campus when I heard two people screaming and a shit load of barking and growling. Then out of nowhere I heard the most violent blood curdling yelp and squeal I ran in to see what happened. I go out into the fenced in yard only to see the two other co workers holding back one dog and tending to another one. The one dog, a German Sheppard who I have been working with for 4 solid weeks, a fucking sweetheart had been attacked. Her throat was torn apart so badly to where I can't even bring my self to explain. I made the one girl call the clinic as I just held her with all of my being draining from my body. I have never felt so helpless. Before clinic made it to her she died in my arms. I felt every last breath. Covered in blood, I just sat there on my knees crying. I am so out of it, i just needed to vent.
Thanks

[~Katja~]

I am sorry Boss, that sounds like a horrible experience.

just sorry, not much else to say.

[midwestjeff]

Fuck dude.
I've been there with a couple different pets.
It's the worst.
I'd hug you if I could. Or at least buy you a drink.
You did what you could, fuck man.

(Insert something that makes you feel a bit better here)

[spoon]

Awful, boss...just awful. The way you described it reminded me of that scene in I Am Legend. That scene hit me hard in a movie, I can't imagine it being real.

Sorry Boss.

[Hottub]

Dude. I have been there. It's a horrible feeling.
In fact, I'm expecting my KC to leave me soon. My Best Friend of 13 years is not doing so great. And I'm pretty damn sure it will be in my arms.
Unfortunately, it's a part of life.

[CofyCrakCocaine]

:sad:

Feeling helpless blows. There's times where ya can do things and times where ya can't... simple as hell to say for me, but easy to forget too. Don't be too hard on yourself bossman... suffice to say you did all you could in that situation and that by itself ain't a bad thing.

That's a horrible experience and i'm sorry for the poor dog. I wish there was something better to be said.

[Friday]

i'm really sorry, sweetie.
unfortunately, you may have to see death more times than you would like in your job.
it's never easy.... especially with animals. they are so innocent .. like children.
my mom and i used to rescue abandoned kittens and in the last litter i had one die right in my hands as i was trying to revive him and save his little life. i will never forget that day....

i hope you will see many wonderful things in your work that make up for the sad feelings you had to experience today.

[ibanez23]

I have a bullmastif .she is 4 and probably only has 3 or 4 to go.I lost my parents when i was young and never been attached since.I think about it every day.What will I feel when she dies?This might soung gay(I'm sure it will to everyone on this board)but I cried when I read Molly and Me,:glurps: twice.
Good luck Bro.

[brettmojo]

Awful, boss...just awful. The way you described it reminded me of that scene in I Am Legend. That scene hit me hard in a movie, I can't imagine it being real.

Sorry Boss.
Yeah, I had to stop the movie for a while. Don't think I could actually watch it again.

So sorry dude. I didn't even witness my dog dying when I was a kid, yet another horrific thing I won't get into, I can't imagine watching one die right there in front of you.

I'm always weary of other dogs for fear of something like this when I'm out with mine. So awful.

[Friday]

Awful, boss...just awful. The way you described it reminded me of that scene in I Am Legend. That scene hit me hard in a movie, I can't imagine it being real.

Sorry Boss.

this is the one reason i refuse to watch that movie.

[Death Metal Moe]

Oooooof, that's fucked up.

Sorry bro.

[topless_mike]

sorry bro... thats tough... its amazing what can crush a "real man".

[Enabler]

Thats sounds horrific. Sorry man. Whats going to happen to the killer dog?

[booster11373]

I'm sorry for your loss it must be heartbreaking.

[badorties]

this is the one reason i refuse to watch that movie.

yeah, it was really hard to watch that scene

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v296/badorties/those%20other%20sigs/parker.jpg

my 13 yr old dog, parker, died in my arms (in the back seat of a car as my chick sped to the all-nite vet) five days before our wedding

two years later, and a lot of good and bad shit has gone down in my life, and that nite still haunts me (even witing this is difficult)

i feel for you, and hope your mind eases a bit

[Caseyelan]

I am so sorry for you.

I just put strummer on my lap and gave her one hundred kisses.

I cannot imagine my life without her.

[WampusCrandle]

im really sorry, Boss...it brings me to when my dog died on Thanksgiving....:glurps:

[RhinoinMN]

I feel for you soooo bad. I am a softy when it comes to animals. I commend you for what you do. I could never do it for the fear that something like this may happen. In a strange way it will only make you stronger.

[Liverspot]

Wow, I hated to read that but thank you for posting. It is good to let it out.

I feel greatly for you, I love my dog and where I live I am the "go to" guy for dog care/sitting/walking. You are doing a very valuable service in training dogs the way you do, that is so admirable. I understand the attachment you get while working with a dog, especially a dog to be a service animal. The best of the best.

You will get over this, but I understand it is a very emotional experience. Please go in and keep doing the good work you do.

[DrDrew319]

i just received my acceptance to vet school and it breaks my heart to hear this story...:sad:

[WhistlePig]

What a heartbreaking story. So sorry you had to experience this. At least the sweet dog had the comfort of you holding her in her last moments.

[Hottub]

At least the sweet dog had the comfort of you holding her in her last moments.

Finally somebody was able to put my feelings into words.:glurps:

Mina RULES!

No shit, I'm welling up ova here, now.

[Devo37]

that sucks, Boss. feel better.

i had a similar situation back in college. i saw a dog hit by a taxi (that didn't stop or even slow down afterward). the poor dog's ribcage was crushed and he was in rough shape. about all i could do was pet him and try to keep him calm as he spent his final moments alive. very sad.

even worse, a few days later, i saw a "dog missing, kids heartbroken" flyer (with a picture of the dog) on a light-pole. i had to call the owner and break the news.

[joethebartender]

I'm very sorry, Boss.

[Bossanova]

Thanks everyone. I am very comforted by your words. its suck so much, I havent had this feeling for so long. She was like my own pet, I really miss her. I dont know if anyone cares, but her name was Marney. She really was the sweetest German Sheppard i have trained. Dammit I miss her, thanks again

[mailman73]

Holy shit this has to be the saddest thread ive ever read .......what a sad n tragic story :down:

[jauble]

Boss sorry to hear about that man that is tragic. I held a pup while it took its last breath after car ran it over as its owner's little girls watched. It sucks.

[Bossanova]

Thats sounds horrific. Sorry man. Whats going to happen to the killer dog?

He was rejected from the program and since we do not put dogs under, he will be placed into our adoptable kennel. He will now run alone in the yard and sleep alone as well. He will also be tagged as dog aggressive and hopefully be adopted out to a person/couple with experience. The other requirement will be that they do not own any other pets. Our organization will not allow a chance at him harming another animal.

[mikeyboy]

Just saw this thread. Wow, Boss. I'm sorry to hear that. That really sucks.

[lleeder]

Thats brutal, something like that would be impossible for me to shake off.