What to do with the dog?

[924slover]

The cancer sounds like a huge factor. My dog who is a black lab mix is always submissive and would never ever snap or bite at any one but when he got older and began having increasingly painfull joint problems he would be very protective of certain area's on his body and if you touched it he would snap and he would lightly give you a nip on the arm and then lick you. he didn't bite out of anger but he was in pain (meds have solved this problem)

[billybek]

My wife and the little guy are on their way home from visiting her family and I told her about it this afternoon. She called when she was changing planes in Chicago and told me about the messages that the new owner had left on voice mail.
Poor girl, what a way to start out as a pet owner.
Regardless, we will pay for the vet bill and the cost to have Harley put down. The dog was ours for way longer and I hope that the new owner will let my wife be in attendance when she is put down.
Thanks for your response on this.

[island911]

tabs is spot on. You made a commitment.

and then there is this sentiment repeated.

Originally Posted by GeorgeK

...
You are actually *pondering* how you can sustain a potentially dangerous situation???
Are you insane?
Dog----> gone.

I can see how you will sue anyone who gave you advice when your kid is maimed for life.

Put aside that even driving a kid in a car, or sending him off to school is a "potentially dangerous situation" . .That (above) is what someone with limited planning sez. Sheesh, has no one heard of a dog muzzle? .. .do you not have doors in the house? Oh, and this just in... Dogs CAN be trained.

[billybek]

I am not too sure if you had read to the last post or not.
I just saw the poor little hound. It is amazing how much weight has come off her in just two weeks.
The debate for us is long over. We made a decision that we couldn't risk the safety of our child and other children that may be over to play. We were very fortunate to find an outstanding young lady who wanted a companion.
Harley had a much better last six months of her life than we could have given her.
They are on their way to the vet hospital right now to have her put down.

[JavaBrewer]

RIP Harley

Love Elora and Scout

[Ed Bighi]

My old dog Pluto. Great dog. My wife and I got bit by him a couple of times during rough play or messing around with him when he was eating. No big deal since mostly it was accidental by him and he really felt bad. But my nieces were his babies. Loved them more than anything else. He never touched them. Knocked them over a few times by accident when running but there were always laughs. They will never forget him.

[GeorgeK]

Originally Posted by island911

tabs is spot on. You made a commitment.

and then there is this sentiment repeated.
Originally Posted by GeorgeK
...
You are actually *pondering* how you can sustain a potentially dangerous situation???
Are you insane?
Dog----> gone.

I can see how you will sue anyone who gave you advice when your kid is maimed for life.


Put aside that even driving a kid in a car, or sending him off to school is a "potentially dangerous situation" . .That (above) is what someone with limited planning sez. Sheesh, has no one heard of a dog muzzle? .. .do you not have doors in the house? Oh, and this just in... Dogs CAN be trained.

The dog is not necessary, whereas driving kids here and there might be.

I fully agree that training dogs is doable, but take 2 steps back and see the larger picture. What is more important? my dog or my kids. The choice is easy for me.

[island911]

Originally Posted by GeorgeK

The dog is not necessary, whereas driving kids here and there might be.

I fully agree that training dogs is doable, but take 2 steps back and see the larger picture. What is more important? my dog or my kids. The choice is easy for me.

You are absolutely right. But that logic says that dogs should not exist, because they cannot be reasonably managed. --For example; dog may bite at the postman. => cannot have a dog. A dog may, when out for a walk, lunge at another passing kid. => cannot have a dog.

The idea, with domestic animals, is that they bring us more joy/security than they bring risk. ...if we control them properly. (just like a car. ...which, btw, kills Thousands of people each month)

[GeorgeK]

The dog did display aggressive behaviour. That is the clincher for me. I am not afraid of letting my kid close to known quiet dogs.
But once a dog is known to have had aggressive behaviour, or if a dog is unknown, I won't let my child close to it. I value his face too much.