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Post by Condor on Mar 28, 2007 4:56:05 GMT -5
Of my three dogs I have had the bassett hound the longest. He barks, and barks, and barks, and .... Well, as my DW and I were off to work yesterday morning, our neigbor was ahead of us. He pulled over, and waived to us to say hi. After some small talk, he got to his real reason for stopping us. Our hound has been driving he, his brother, and mother crazy. He's right. The dog drives us crazy too. I told him that he is welcome to take the dog to the dog pound, and have him put to sleep, but I myself could not bring myself to do it. He's also about twelve years old, and has a growth on the side of his neck that is about the size of a golf ball. He's not in pain. It doesn't seem to bother him. He has always barked like this. I'm a dog lover, but I also know how patient and kind my neighbors have been. I understand how they feel. So I, and he, will look to see if anyone will take take him, otherwise we will have to put him down. My family and I feel terribly bad, but we also know that we have to be good neighbors. Keeping the hound, and letting him bark 24/7 is not neighborly. I have checked around, and was told by vets, and the humane society that at his age, with his problem, no one will take him. So alas, he will probably have to be put to sleep. It hurts, but it's in the best interest of everyone. I hope my family and I can take it.
Condor
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Zoran
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since September 2005
Posts: 880
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Post by Zoran on Mar 28, 2007 6:20:18 GMT -5
I am sorry. This is really tough decision to make. I really understand how you feel.
I just don't understand - were your neighbors been able to hold out his barking for 12 years, or they are new neighbors.
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Post by Condor on Mar 28, 2007 7:37:21 GMT -5
They've held out. It's just gotten to the point that they can't take it anymore. They're very nice people, it's just that will all that barking, especially at night, it's very difficult for them as well as us, and I'm sure, other neighbors as well.
Condor
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Post by Tweetiepy on Mar 28, 2007 8:07:15 GMT -5
Is he barking inside or outside? I'm assuming he's outside, how about moving him inside?
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Post by takilasunrise on Mar 28, 2007 8:21:14 GMT -5
If he still has a few good years left, I have heard of vets removing their "voice box".....sounds kind of mean, but so does putting him down if he's still healthy. Maybe consult with an animal behaviorist. Maybe they would have a few tips to teach him to stop.
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WyckedWyre
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since April 2007
Posts: 1,391
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Post by WyckedWyre on Mar 28, 2007 8:37:11 GMT -5
Have you tried a bark collar? It shocks the dog when he barks, and they learn to stop barking pretty quickly...there are also citronella collars which emit a spray whenever the dog barks. It sounds "cruel" but it's not and they really do work... Now, 12 years old is getting up there for a Bassett Hound, so don't feel too badly if you have to put him down. It's a painless death and I wish they would offer euthanasia for humans. I'm sorry, Gil. I'm putting off a peaceful end for Isis in the hopes that she will respond to her liver therapy, but I sure won't let her suffer. It's a hard decision to make, I know. But please be with him when they put him down so you can comfort him. Don't just hand him off to strangers at a shelter... :'(S petsafe-warehouse.com/bark_control_collars/bark_control_collars.htm |
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drupe
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2005
Posts: 1,245
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Post by drupe on Mar 28, 2007 9:51:15 GMT -5
Condor
Its really tough to lose a friend and companion but sometime it just has to be done. I just lost Whiskey Bear a friend for over 16 years. Luckly I was with her when she passed and it was not a hard death. Old age finally caught up to her. I did give serious condsideration to having the vet put her down but he said she was in no pain and I felt I wanted to be with her to ease her passing.
If you have to put the hound down, try to stay with him until he's gone. It will make it easier for the both of you.
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drupe
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2005
Posts: 1,245
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Post by drupe on Mar 28, 2007 9:53:25 GMT -5
Ssusan
I hope Isis responds to her meds, she seemed like a very good friend when I met her at Woodward.
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stefan
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Mar 28, 2007 10:23:44 GMT -5
A difficult choice at best. But 12 is Very old for a basset-
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Post by Cher on Mar 28, 2007 11:57:50 GMT -5
Condor, be with him when you put him down. I know it's very hard, I've done it and though I cried for hours but I'm so glad I did it that way. Both of them were my faithful friend for years and were always there for me, I felt the least I could do was to "hold their paw" during their last minutes. I know now, if I had asked someone else to take them, I would feel really awful.
Another thing ... ask your vet if he'll come out to the car to give him the shot. Let your pet just go to sleep where he's comfortable and in familiar surroundings. Both of my dogs were big so I sat with their head in my lap while doc put them to sleep, it is quick and painless.
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Post by Toad on Mar 28, 2007 19:01:30 GMT -5
I'd get the vocal cords cut. If he is still fine let the dog live.
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Post by lbowman1 on Mar 29, 2007 7:22:28 GMT -5
I hope you didn't have to put him to sleep. This post brought tears to me eyes.
Lori
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Post by gaetzchamp on Mar 29, 2007 21:11:23 GMT -5
Gil-
So sorry to hear of your Bassett. We had one for years when I was a little boy. We loved him and loved him but by the time he got old, he was very arthritic. He liked to warm in the sun in the middle of the road and it was just a matter of time before he got hit. It was extremely hard, but given his condition, it was best.
You are a good man to be considerate enough to think of your neighbors. I hope it all works out in the end for you all!!!
Gaetz
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Post by rhodescabbin on Mar 29, 2007 21:52:50 GMT -5
I am sorry to hear about this. We have been a Bassett Hound family for almost 20 years now. Even raised them in Ky for an unreal profit. At any rate 12 is old for a Bassett because of Back and hip problems. Still I have been in your predictament and did the puting the dog to sleep and it does hurt and theres guilt too, its human nature...One dog I had came home shot right thru the rib cage with aa high powered rifle, I felt there was hope in saving him and I rushed him to the vet and on the way there I decided I was not moving him, that the vet can come to the car and he did and decided there would no doubt be serious internal damage, not to mention splinters of rib to locate. Anyway he put him to sleep in the car and I agree with Cher it was much more peaceful as a vets office freaks animals out anyway...
One last thought, bark collars do work. They are somewhat controversial but if it was a choice between life or death I would choose the collar....You have a tough decision, I wish I had the right answer to help...
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