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Rescue dog put to sleep

11 replies

Sidneyspaniel13 · 18/07/2025 18:33

Long story short as possible! : I have a rescue spaniel who’s 8 years old I rescued her 5 years ago. I rehomed her from dog rescue centre when I was volunteering there for a degree in animal welfare and the rescue was going to put her down if I didn’t take her on she had 4 homes before coming to me she was returned due to serious reactivity on the lead to dogs and people

. Her original owner abused her and beat her with a stick which caused her to break her back leg and he refused to get treatment so it healed up but the back leg is shorter than the other. Her mother also bit her ear off fighting over food as. a puppy and he again didn’t get her treatment. when she was then useless as a gundog so he took her to the dog rescue if they refused to take her on then he wanted to drown her.

she’s been a challenge over the years with her reactivity but once she trusts you she loves you for life which includes both dogs and people.
About 6 months ago she developed ulcers on her left front foot due to the way shes over compensating when she’s walking due to the broken leg. I’ve tried antibiotics, creams and restricted exercise and nothing has improved them long term after a while they return again. My vet said she can’t have part of the pad amputated due to the bad back leg So I’ve decided to have her put to sleep on Wednesday as she is struggling to walk as the pad is swollen. I don’t want her to keep suffering.

I guess I’ve come on here to see if anybody has gone through anything similar with their dog?

OP posts:
Bamboozles · 18/07/2025 18:37

Aww poor baby, sounds like you’ve given her a good few years 😔

Shesellsseashellsnotinmystreet · 18/07/2025 18:37

Ah sounds like she fell on her feet finding you op.. I've you tried an outdoor ddoggy boot? my ddog has terminal bladder cancer and has pulled her back leg with weeing at an odd angle. We are currently looking into a boot as she has been dragging the foot over on walks.. No damage yet but expect it will if we don't take action..

Clariana · 18/07/2025 18:38

I haven't had a similar experience but I'm so sorry, you have tried your best to give her a good life and sound like you have.

It sounds like you have her best interests at heart, so try not to feel guilty.

cariadlet · 18/07/2025 18:40

What a heartbreaking decision to have to make but you are doing the right thing as I'm sure you know.

She clearly had an awful start with 3 years of abuse but you did a wonderful thing by taking her on and not giving up on her. You have given her 5 good years and she knows that she is loved.

Freysimo · 18/07/2025 18:41

No advice sadly, but how wonderful of you to take this girl on. I'm glad she's known love at last and I know you'll do the best by her. So sorry for you both 💔

Pancakeflipper · 18/07/2025 18:41

Oh these decisions are so hard. You know you are doing a loving thing and she's had 5 wonderful years of you trying to understand, help her and love her. You'll be heartbroken - she will be forever grateful you are her No.1 human.

I hope you have a few more happy days together.

TourdeFrance2025 · 18/07/2025 18:46

OMG poor baby girl 🥲

she was so lucky to find you 🥰

i, unfortunately, don't have any suggestions. I'm sorry 🤗

but just to say, she's had a great 5 years with you after her awful start in life & it's you that will suffer if you go ahead on Wednesday, not her. She will be blissfully unaware of what's happening & if you can't find any other solutions to her problem it's the kindest thing you can do for her.

Sidneyspaniel13 · 18/07/2025 19:00

Shesellsseashellsnotinmystreet · 18/07/2025 18:37

Ah sounds like she fell on her feet finding you op.. I've you tried an outdoor ddoggy boot? my ddog has terminal bladder cancer and has pulled her back leg with weeing at an odd angle. We are currently looking into a boot as she has been dragging the foot over on walks.. No damage yet but expect it will if we don't take action..

I’m so sorry to hear your dog has cancer 😢Thank you for your suggestion of dog boots when Ava first started to get sores I used these they did help a bit and they are waterproof it might help your dog www.sparkpaws.uk/collections/dog-shoes-boots

OP posts:
LoungingInMyPJs · 18/07/2025 19:16

As a fellow adopter of an abused rescue dog who is also people and dog reactive, all I can say is to focus on those wonderful 5 years you have given your sweet girl.

Our previous beloved dog was pts due to cancer and it was so tough, I still miss him but we have agreed that if our rescue has any kind serious health complaint we will let him go, I don't think he could handle too much intervention etc as he only trusts DH and I. It would be too much for him. We have given him 3 (very hard going) years so far and lots of love. More love than he's probably ever known before.

I truly hope karma comes for her previous owner (and my dogs previous owners).

LittlleMy · 18/07/2025 19:27

Such a bittersweet story 😢. Thank you for saving this poor pup and providing a stable and safe environment. I’m glad she had you as her new owner so at least she leaves her final home having being thoroughly loved and cared for ♥️🌈

caringcarer · 18/07/2025 21:36

You've given this dog 5 good years of love and care she otherwise would not have had. Focus on the good times.

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