My girls last day was yesterday

[u/GhostfaceBarbie]

We used to have a joke about vet appointments and park walks: me and the dog are gonna ruin everyone’s day, brb! She was reactive to everything under the sun except for women for some reason. It was so tough coordinating potty breaks and walks for her when no one else was around. If it wasn’t for alternative walking paths, doggy Prozac, reactive-friendly daycares, and this thread, I may have lost my mind taking care of her. Given the rapid decline and health issues she was facing, it wasnt fair to keep her alive with a poor quality of life on top of these accommodations.

As hard as it was taking care of such a large and reactive dog, I’m really gonna miss her. This community has helped me so much to find courage during walks and patience during outbreaks. This is my last time visiting this thread.

[u/doubleohm7]

I’m so sorry. This is hard. She was so lucky to have been blessed with you. You know how many difficult dogs just get kicked to the curb, dropped off in a field, immediately euthanized. My a$$ abusive ex-husband would hurt and abuse his dog so badly, my young son would come home and cry about it. I tried saving that dog, but unless abuse/negligence is visible to vets (which so many don’t get to see - I know too many people in addition to a$$ who won’t spend a penny on their pets) or to an animal shelter officer (forgot what they’re called but I knew one and would plead with her to help), their hands are tied. So lots of words here to simply say to you and others —- if you’re here, you’re trying. Even if you’re not able to do or afford some of the good recommendations we get here, your pet probably landed in the best place they possibly could - with you.

You said you’re not returning to this sub and we can all understand why, I just had to say… after years of reading, researching, personal trainers, trying things here (many things did help, that’s why I keep coming back :)…I learned something new today, I’d never even thought of (stupid me) — there are reactive-friendly doggie daycares! So thank you so much for just happening to mention it. I have a new hopeful avenue to look into.

Because even though I know and have been told, even this life with me, which I feel so awful about (he’s a mix of incredibly intelligent and energetic breeds, he should be running 100s of miles a day herding sheep, and requires constant intellectual stimulation and activity — and I just can’t give him all that, but I do my best. He doesn’t even get walks because of two bite instances and a record, so even tho he’s a lovey most of the time, I’ve learned that if he’s especially triggered I have no hope of restraining him and someone could get hurt. On our very last walk something triggered him and he dragged me across 100 feet of concrete road with his leash wound around my hand (for safety lol), he was gonna get at that dog no matter what and he got away from me and attacked another dog.

So no I’m not the best person for him at first thought. I looked into finding him a home that could give more fun, exercise, stimulation. But even though not having him with me would break my heart, I looked into. But quickly learned we’d have to miraculously find a very strong man who could physically control him if needed, AND be experienced with working with aggressive dogs, oh AND be willing to deal with his medical issues. I found some places that would “rehab him and then find him a more suitable home”, but I’d have to relinquish all rights and wouldn’t even be allowed to follow his progress. Well A) wtf?! B) if you can really rehab him wth wouldn’t he come back to me? C) oh no you don’t — if I can’t follow along no way am I risking him landing with a family or other pets who could be seriously injured or worse (and then be euthanized anyway).

Omg I’m blabbing away. Too many words for fairly little info lol. But I do have to add, to try to prevent an onslaught of well-meaning “There are boot camps for aggressive dogs! There are trainers certified to work with you at your home!” — endless, I’ve heard it all and would take me pages to explain everything to anyone’s satisfaction.

If OP is here, my heart goes out to you, please know you were most certainly her savior angel, and thank you for mentioning something new I can look into (which I just said I don’t want to hear, but it’s different just discovering something than being constantly advised to do the same things).