A DOG IN A SHELTER WAS EUTHANIZED

A dog in a shelter was euthanized.

A dog that spent months and months in a cage because certain volunteers fell in love.

A dog who was extremely large and extraordinarily unpredictable.

A dog who tried to attack, yes attack, a few different employees and volunteers.

Who actually landed a bite to an employee's face.

And the guilt trip begins.

Why is it that those that make the most noise about an animal being euthanized NEVER bring that animal home?

Is it because deep down you know how unpredictable that animal is or what it may be capable of?

Is it because your children and personal pets shouldn't be put in harm's way?

Then why should you ask another to take that risk?

I really don't know the answer because the dogs I fell in love with and were at risk, I brought them home.

And let me tell you, some were squirrelly as hell after months in a cage.

But I put my money where my mouth was and adopted them.

I have also held other dogs for euthanasia. Dogs that were wonderful with me but would pose a risk and a danger to the general public. And I knew they were finally finding peace from whatever demons they had endured.

I will never be an advocate of placing out a dangerous dog. In my profession I've seen the aftermath far too many times.

Did my heart break with every euthanasia?

Absolutely.

Am I at peace with those decisions?

Absolutely.

You may very well disagree with me, but I certainly feel it was the humane thing to do.

The RESPONSIBLE thing to do.

A dog living in a cage for months and months on end is not a life. Waiting for one of the very few people who can handle you to visit every now and then and take you for a walk.

It's hell on earth.

So yes, a dog was euthanized.

In order to keep people from harm.

To free him from his inner demons.

And I would like to think that he is running far and free. Free from his anger, free from his chain link kennel, free from whatever tortured his soul.

And until those who make the most noise regarding euthanasia and dangerous animals start taking those very animals home, they should take a seat.

When you go online to make that very shelter look bad. When you don't tell the entire story. When you had almost an entire year to find that dog a home, or better yet GIVE him a home.

Shame on you and all the others who loved him so but not enough to take him home.

"The decision to euthanize must be made in the best interests of the dog. He is living in the present. It is a human’s responsibility to make sure the dog is not living in what the dog would consider hell. It is selfish to keep a dog alive if he has deteriorated emotionally or behaviorally, or his mental health is gone. It is unfair to offer to the public a dangerous dog or one who will be a behavioral nightmare for life."