Bless you Patty.

I have to disagree. They ARE bad people. Anyone who will kill an animal because they don't want to deal with is a heartless person who I would have nothing to do with. God bless you for being able to deal with them. I would have probably been arrested for assault. ;-)

What a sad story. I agree with Crysania. These are BAD PEOPLE. With all the people that live with and work therapy dogs, could you/would you not have offered to take the animal off of their hands? I can imagine the smiles that his survival story would bring to shut in humans.

Pet owners need to organize.

If my vet called me with this story, I would have taken this dog immediately for foster. I work from home, have four dogs, a very private back yard, I could take several dogs at a time for a short period, say a week, to find them more stable situations. If I were to die tonight what would happen to my four dogs, I think about it.

Vets like you need to be able to connect with regular pet owners willing to help.

I am working on lost and found pets now and plan to expand. We need to bring technology to help our pets.

This was an interesting article, as I have been wondering about the topic of having a healthy pet put to sleep, and if a Vet would be willing to do it. I would never do this to a pet, but this is an issue I have encountered once, because of a certain circumstance.

That your Pet Kids, will have care, after we are gone or no longer able. I have 3 older ones that thier family left to me.YES! PET lOVERS NEED TO ORGANIZE

Unfortunately, it probably ended up at the shelter where it was put down immediately. It's a tough call in these economic times. I wish there were homes for all the pets out there, but there just isn't. *sigh*

I'm disappointed in you Dr. Patty. If this old man was your good client and you knew his dog so well why couldn't you offer to board it or find it a home or turn it over to a rescue group? At least until his will was read, if he left money to care for the dog and it is now dead, well.....guess that money just rolls back into the estate huh? I know you're not a shelter but you had a relationship with your client. Perhaps the "good vets" out there (and I do consider you one of them) should have what-to-do flyers for their elderly clients to plan ahead. Part of the yearly wellness exam protocol? And maybe vet clinics need to expand their horizons and develop contacts in the outside dog world to partner with in situations such as this. JMHO

I fully agree, especially in this case where the actual owner was "barely cold". Finding a home in an emergency like this is nearly impossible and shelters used to tell you that a senior pet didn't have much of a chance, but now that shelters and other organizations actually have senior pet adoption programs, even shelters are an option, but not always. Five years ago I took in two 15-year-old cats whose owner had died. Their vet had convinced the out-of-town son, who had brought them in for euthanasia after asking around for a home and being told by a shelter they'd likely be euthanized at some point, to take them back to the house where they'd be at least looked after by a neighbor, and give them until the house sold. They eventually came to me, but I still waver about the son's original decision--take the chance they'd spend their last days in a cage, only to be euthanized by strangers? That thought was worse for him than the idea that his mother's beloved cats had spent their last moments in their home in a loving environment. At least he listened to the vet, but how many people don't?

Dr. Khuly: Perhaps you (or someone else) could answer a question this poses. Realizing that a pet is someones legal property, is it possible for a vet clinic to have those rights signed over in a case like this so that the clinic can then place the pet with elderly pet foster or adoption people? I, as others have stated, would have been happy to take this guy in for his last years on this earth. Is it possible to place a name with local vets in the event of such a situation? I appreciate that you didn't euthanize this poor little guy and I pray that he is being cared for by someone out there.
Patricia Moore
http://www.soft-hearted.com

I was guradian and trustee for a dear friend. She died 3 years ago last week. She had an elderly, diabetic beagle- who also tried to bite everyone she could.

The CNAs (certified nurse assistants) who cared for my friend- well, one of them was able to give the dog the insulin shots she needed. She was very quick!

The dog was in miserable shape, but my friend, also in that shape could not bear to put the dog down. She told me that after her death, she wanted the dog put down and their ashes combined.

When Helen, who lived in Texas, died I was out there that night. The care givers were very upset because I told them that the dog was to be put down.

Since you know me, you know what a dog lover I am....including doggy dentistry.... But, even I knew that this dog should have been put down ages before.

So, the next morning, I appeared at the vet's office with the dog. I had called in advance and the lady who answered the phone was very upset when I told her who I was and why I was coming in. The dog had probably been their best customer! To that lady I was doing just what happened to you.

I took all the paperwork with me. I was ushered into an examining room. The tech was not smiling at me. I was clearly a bad person.

The vet came in with a concerned look on his face. I told him who I was and said that Helen had died yesterday. He did not say a word to me. He smiled, nodded, and got the syringe out. NOTHING. Not a word. As is my practice, I stay with pets to kiss them goodbye and love them into the next world.

I was not a happy camper, even though I knew it WAS the best thing for the dog. She truly should have been put down a year before.

Later that afternoon, I found a letter written to me by Helen. It said in no uncertain terms that she wanted Savannah put down after her death. It further said that she had made arrangements with the vet and he agreed.

So, when I walked in that morning with a heavy heart, I did not have to say one thing to the vet because my dear friend had, unbeknown to me, already made the arrangements.

Had the dog been viable, I am sure she would have had a home lined up....or a place for perpetual care. I learned a big lesson on this. We have arrangements made for Emma.

Savannah and Helen's ashes were mingled and are now spread at Helen's long time home in Pinecrest...per her wishes.

Your situation was totally different, but it doesn't have to be that way. Sometimes it can be ok.

Carolyn

Big KUDOS, Dr. Patty:

I had a family member come back to me after adopting a Newfoundland, 12 years ago from my group. First she started talk about how she 'didn't know what she would do about him', 'he was pooing in his crate', 'sometimes he would start to wee before getting down the STAIRS of the desk'... I knew where this was leading... especially after refusing my offer of building something in her back yard to accomodate him so he wouldn't have to be crated or deal with steps...

Needless to say, I now have a 13 year old Newfoundland living out his days at the "Papillon/Pomeranian Retirement Home"... and she was told in uncertain terms of how dissapointed I was in someone that calls themself a Christian, yet having such a disregard for one of His creations... How much of an inconvenience were we to Christ?!!

Thank you for letting me vent.

C

While I think the decision these folks made was bad, I can't in all good conscience call them bad people. Not everyone is an animal person, like it or not (and some dog lovers don't like cats and vice versa). The immediate reaction upon finding a non-lover burdened with an unwanted pet is get rid of it; there is no emotion invested. It's sad, though, that by getting rid of it they wanted to go all the way without specific directions from the owner in writing. Who knows - maybe their loved one had mentioned at some point in time not wanting his pet to be alone without him. This should teach us one valuable lesson - make sure our desires are in writing so that no one can act inappropriately on our pets' behalf. My family knows exactly whom they should contact if something happens to me to make decisions about my dogs (breeders, friends, etc.) so that their well-being is put first. It's sad all around :o(

Though none of us can say for certain that circumstances would never lead to something like this happening to us, I really am leaning towards thinking these were bad people.

I can't imagine not taking in any of my friends or relatives pets even if it meant great inconvenience to me.

At the very least spending more than a day finding a home or rescue.

I think what this article really brings home is that if we truly love our pets and want what is best for them if we should die unexpectidly - we should make the arrangements now while we are able. Don't leave it to someone else to make this decision for you...

I am glad you at least gave them a guilt trip.

My only other thought was, if it was a purebred (or even mostly one breed) you might have tried to find a local breed rescue rep. I am a volunteer for a Frenchie rescue which will even take on the seniors (with the typical senior baggage) and while I know it varies from organization to organization, it's a chance at living out their lives.

Still, that is not meant as a criticism, just a thought. You certainly do more than your share.

Damn those people.

Based on everything you wrote and your willingness to find him a new home, couldn't one of you have fostered him for the night, found him a a foster and then a new home? How could you let them take him away?

Until such people show you the will, they are NOT the owners of the dog.

They aren't allowed to torch the house, either.

Sure, they can be douchebags and go to another vet or the pound and lie, but ultimately they are committing a crime.

It's good life insurance for a pet for the owner to (a) make very clear in the will AND places other than the will who inherits the animal or gets guardianship -- including a note in the veterinary file is good practice; (b) leave money specifically for the care of the animal, with any remainder after the animal's death to go to a reliable charity; (c) make it clear in the will (and otherwise) that any heir who has the animal killed or otherwise interferes with it is disinherited.

(Also, graphic promises of gruesome hauntings are in order.)

It is just not that difficult or expensive to get a will set up to safeguard one's animals.

We have two trustworthy friends designated to take custody of our dogs, and they have instructions relevant to each one -- retirement, placement in a SAR home, placement through NESR. Those instructions obviously change as the dogs change. There's enough money set aside so that new owners would be cushioned against big medical bills.

The main reason our other heirs would not inherit the dogs is not because they would not care for them, but because they have no idea what to do with a bunch of demanding working dogs -- they CANNOT care appropriately for dogs of this sort. And I wouldn't have a talented SAR dog go to seed because of sentimentality.

The takeaway is just as HH and a couple others among younmentioned: put it in writing! Whenever a client has confided in me on this point, I've asked them to write me a letter right there and then. It stays in the file. I think this is legal enough but I don't know. Should I have it notarized?

In the 1970s after my mom's mom died, her dad remarried a gold-digging type about a week before he died. This was long before I was born and I don't even know the woman's name--I think she's still alive but my mom obviously doesn't consider her any kind of stepmother.

Anyway, she took the family's two beloved healthy dogs to the animal shelter and had them euthanised because she didn't want to deal with them. My mom never told me this until after we had to have one of our dogs put down for medical reasons--she was glad to see how peaceful and painless it was, not only for him but also for her dogs who died 30 years before. (And I hope it really was; I know euthanasia has improved, and perhaps not so much care was taken with shelter euthanasias back then anyway.)

So THANK YOU for refusing to euthanise healthy animals on demand. Even in cases like this where the person asking is technically the "owner" (by marriage), you can't know if there might be other family members who (1) will be devastated and (2) would have been more than willing to take the pet. (My parents were in their 20s and living a few states away--they certainly would have taken the dogs if they'd had a chance.)

I do not believe anyone in that situation should be considered the owners of the dog and should not be allowed to make any decisions regarding its care. They have no legal rights until probate. No one can say they have exhausted all possibilities in that short a space of time. As the dog was known to you, you really should have kept it, even overnight, and not let them go on to take it to god knows what fate.
What this really points out though, is that as responsible pet owners we should be making arrangements for the eventualities of life and we should always make it known to our family, friends, lawyers and vets, what we want done with our best friends should something happen to us. My family and I have been talking about this a lot lately as my mum and dad are not well, and they have multiple cats, most of them quite young....so we are making plans as to who gets which cat and which cats are friends and need to go together. I have multiple pets and have made arrangements as to what happens should I get sick or die. These are the things no one wants to think about, but we have to, to ensure our pets do not go to an end we did not foresee. If we love our animals, we have to include them in family planning, just like the kids. A vet has a difficult job in a case like this, but, please, if you know the owner would be upset, if you know and like the animal, please do your utmost, even at some inconvenience, to do right by the pet. There are mature dog adopters and fosters and people out there willing to take on the care...it might take a bit of time, but they are out there...some clients might be willing as well. I know it is not really your responsibility, it is ours, as owners, but I am sure it does not happen very often...thank god.
Every pet owner should be making arrangements for the care of their pets...if you have not...get it done and then tell everyone so all know your wishes...do not just put it in your will...wills often do not get looked at right away...and often do not get proved right away.

I just don't get it. I have a neighbour that moved in about two months ago. She has two un-neutered dogs. Dogs lived in bare cages, there are no pillows, no shelter from the elements and sometimes she leaves for the weekend and they run out of food and water. I finally got tired of watching these dogs suffer and went over during a particularly bad rain storm and I asked if I could please give the dogs shelter from the storm. (The owner was away that weekend) but the room-mate said yes. The dogs are a pit-bull mix and a little tiny dog (not sure of his breed). The dogs do not get along so they live in separate cages. After she returned she picked them back up “mommy is taking you home" she said. Home being an empty cage I guess.

I have babysat the dogs one other time she went away but there are other times she goes and leaves them again.

She leaves for work at 7:30 am and gets back home at 9:00 pm.
The only human contact these dogs get is when she leaves them food in the morning.
I have offered to buy the dogs, I have offered to walk the dogs, I have offered to shelter the dogs in cold or severe whither but mostly it is refused.

On the offer to buy the dogs she said: Oh no I have had them too long to sell them. On the other offers she just says we will see. I have called animal control but they tell me there is no law against leaving dogs in isolation as long as they have food and shelter, and quite frankly AC tells me there is not too much they can do.
I did buy the dog’s doglo's and she accepted that. So at least the dogs have shelter now.



These dogs obviously offer no enjoyment to the woman, she never speaks or plays with them, they don’t get along with each other and yet most of the attempts to help her and the dogs are not wanted.


Just like the attempts you made to help this older dog.

I just do not get it; it makes no sense to me.

I'm surprised at the hostility directed towards people dealing with the grief of losing a family member unexpectedly, having to deal with an elderly dog that they can't find a home for, because other obligations are getting in their way.
I have a will that says that all my animals (healthy or not) are to be euthanized if I die. Not because I'm a cruel person, but because I don't want to burden my family (who live on the other side of the country) with having to deal with finding homes for multiple animals while also trying to deal with the arrangements for my funeral and disposition of my home and belongings. I've already talked to my family about it, and they simply don't want the responsibility. I live in a very rural area out west and finding a rescue or a shelter that might find homes for my animals is simply out of the question out here.
As for your comment above, Dr. Kuhly, any legal document that deals with property disposition after the owner's death should be notarized, as that will protect you and your clients, and your patients.

Opps, forgot to mention, there are a few rescue groups that will offer to find your pet a home after you pass ( San Fran SPCA is one that has this program) and there are other groups that will provide your pet sanctuary after you pass. The cost can be anywhere from 10,000 to 25,000. You cannot leave a pet money because a pet is still property under the law and you cannot leave money to property.

It is a good idea to set all that in your will before you pass. My pets are going to a sanctuary; I have a life insurance policy set aside for just that occasion.

I think there are other sides of this issue to look at. As to whether these people were entitled to legal possession of the dog, fine - if not then who? Do you think they snatched the dog away from a willing family member or neighbor who offered to adopt him? It sounds like there wasn't anybody prepared to take the dog. Without a plan in place, they needed some options besides putting a senior dog who they were quite likely unequipped to care for on an airplane with them and then finding him a home in some distant city.

It's not easy to find a home for a senior dog who is going to require ongoing health care and veterinary expenses beyond the norm. It can take many months and often no adopter comes forward.

If vets do not want to euthanize then I think the idea some others suggested, of a network of foster homes or allowing them to sign over the dog, or at least a network of contacts with local rescues would be in order. If you can't take responsibility for the dog, what makes you so sure this couple can, and should?

The other issue is that if vets will not euthanize pets in this kind of situation, the last resort is going to be dumping them at a shelter. I see seniors at the shelter who are depressed, bereaved, and whose health needs are not being taken care of the way they should. They often go without pain medication and sometimes don't even have a bed or blankets. And then in many cases they are euthanized anyway after a few weeks of misery that they could have been spared.

I have always “assigned” god parents to each of my cats should they out live myself and my husband. Each person is either a relative or friend who are cat lovers, have experience in caring for cats, and fully understand the responsibility of caring for my kitties in the event we can’t. We also have these people indicated in our wills and money from our estate would be provided to them for the care of the kitties.

We have so many kitties we could not ask one person/couple to take them all and feel comfortable about it. We tried to match the kitty to the god parent so there would be a good fit, too.

There are also “perpetual care programs” offered by some of the veterinary hospitals, UC Davis being one of them. Pet owners can make arrangements to have their pets cared for and adopted out to pre-screened individuals of the university community should they no longer be able to care for them. Even after the adoption, the university continues to provide the health care and monitoring of the pets.

I read with great interest your column on convenience euthanasia. While I totally understand your position on refusing to euthanize this dog, I fear that the dog's best interest may not have been served in this case. While it is horrifying to think that the family would not give this elderly animal a loving home, humane euthanasia is not the worst option.
Would you guarantee that this dog did not get dropped off at the local pound?

I am a volunteer with NC Cat Adoption Team (www.nccat.net), and we get dozens of calls weekly from people in this same situation. Here in North Carolina, the shelters are, in essence, 'hell on earth' and we never, ever would want to see an animal placed into one. If we are unable to place the kitty, or find another rescue group willing to take it, we recommend taking the animal to a vet for a humane euthanasia.

Pathetic situation. I see this all the time. Sick owner dies or can no longer take care of pets; no one wants them. End of story is at shelter. I totally agree that the owner's wishes should be in writing. However, it's not always easy to find someone willing and able to take on this responsibility. I do believe, though, that most people don't take the time to even deal with this issue. The chips then fall where they may, and the pet is dealt the losing hand.

Totally agree, Kay Morris, that animal lovers should band together. What a force for good we could be! We'd actually have political clout and get so much more accomplished. Then scenarios like the above would most likely have a happier ending.

Pets definitely need to be in wills, and if a person has money they can set up a 'pet trust' to pay for lifetime care of the pet so it is not a financial imposition on the adopter.

Congratulations on standing up for what you believe in and
trying to save this dog from its unfortunate situation. (Hopefully the people that visited your office reconsidered.)

Realitycheck - thank you for that info. I live in Sacramento and I did not know that they offered that kind of service. Do you have any other information on how to set it up? Or is it on their website. Sorry Skoslabs - I'm glad I'm not one of your pets......

was this dog a "happy waggy thing" or a "struggling geriatric".. "long term patient'you called him all of these.. a dog who has health problems that will cost money is not an easy placement .. should you have euthed the dog?/ well you didn't.. but you have also ( and many here)not taken into account the people who brought him..other than call them "bad people".. perhaps they could not afford to fly the dog home.. the last dog I shipped cost 370 ONE WAY.. perhaps they already are over their dog "limit" where they live and cannot take another.. ( great things.. those limit laws.. NOT) perhaps they could not afford the continuing medications for the dog ..and yes perhaps they just are not "into dogs".. many people are not.. some people think.. and maybe they are correct.. that a dog who has lived "forever" with someone is better off "joining the loved one" in death..and are they wrong?? many pets will never become accustomed to a new lifestyle with a new family at an advanced age.. and is it fair to place them in a home that they are not accustomed to? who knows.. my problem with this is that the dogs should have been "saved" at any cost.. any..

those people are evil - really evil. I probably would have been arrested for assault but you are so cool. One idea though, take the dog & tell them you only euthanize on Tuesdays (or after 6PM) but will take care of it after they board their flight home. yeah right

I can't imagine a harder part of veterinary medicine. Even if you stick to your guns, you know the animal is going to die needlessly.

We in the senior rescue trenches need to do a better job of including vets in our awareness campaigns. There are many senior pet rescues who could help in situations like this, if vets knew to refer people to us.

I volunteer with the Grey Muzzle Organization. It doesn't take in senior pets, but financially supports the organizations that do. That makes it a great resource for finding the rescues and shelters focused on senior placements. You'll find it at http://www.GreyMuzzle.org.

In the Seattle area there is Old Dog Haven (www.OldDodHaven.org), and I'm sure other areas must have similar sanctuaries for orphaned, old and infirm pets.

There is also a new website dedicated specifically to listing disabled and senior pets. You can read about it on my blog at http://www.AnimalsReign.com/blog.

Petfinder.com also has a listing category for senior pets.

There are people out there who want to adopt seniors. I'm one of them, and I run into others all the time who seek senior pets. It's not as hard to find homes for seniors and many people think.

Here's an online listing of some of the perpetual care organizations through the veterinary universities, including UC Davis:
http://bit.ly/aDqU0a

It seems like a key lesson from this story is to ensure that whomever is attending to your property immediately after death knows without a doubt what to do for your pets. SO, how do you make sure that's done?

I like Dr K's suggestion to leave instructions with the vet, but what if the family member doesn't know or just doesn't care to go to the regular vet? Are there any safeguards to prevent them from going off on their own and making decisions against my will?

This story is really shocking, not for the relatives' inability/ unwillingness to re-home the dog but rather for how easy it could be for them to defy the owner's wishes.

My dog came from a rescue, and they say that you are to give the dog back to them if you are no longer able to care for it. You are not allowed to just give it to a relative. But, how will the rescue know, in time if at all, if I were to die and a relative were to take the dog somewhere?

I have always wondered, if I put my requests in writing and have it notarized, would this be enough for you to go on (if you were my vet? Or do you specifically want to see a last will and testament before you will make any decisions? I have many health problems and worry constantly about what would happen to Cooper if my husband and I died in some tragic accident. But at 29, I just don't see myself drawing up a will. Maybe that is ignorance, but I don't have anything but Cooper to put in the will anyway :)

It has long been my opinion that if I have an animal who is struggling with health, and I can not keep that animal healthy myself, I must in good conscience have that animal euthanized. This may be because veterinary science has reached its limit, which is the most likely scenario for any of my pets.

But if I have an animal with an expensive medical condition, and I can't afford to keep the animal comfortable anymore...if I can't afford it, who else is going to willingly take this animal on? *I* know my pets are wonderful and beloved and amazing, but who is going to take my anhidrotic, heaving, 21-yr-old retired mare out of the goodness of their hearts? Yeah, no. Who's going to take my 13-yr-old dog with Cushing's and hypothyroid and spay incontinence--be trusted to adequately care for her, support all her expensive medical conditions, and give her a home for life that I can't?

If anything happens to us, we do have homes lined up for our animals. This is something that can't wait for a will to be read, since they need daily care; it has to happen right away. A friend who is a veterinarian and the president of a horse rescue has agreed that she would take the horses, though she warns me that likely she would have to simply euthanize the older mares. This is entirely reasonable and only what I would expect. You can't find homes for unhealthy, retired horses, and a rescue can't be expected to support them indefinitely when they aren't going to be adopted.

It's not responsible to insist that someone else take on a huge responsibility, just because *I* have been carrying it for so long and it's important to *me*. The fact that it's mine doesn't make it theirs. The responsible thing is to make sure the arrangements are made so the animals never do end up suffering, for neglect or lack of vet care.

I'm having a difficult time viewing this as a convenience euthanasia. If it were a 3 year old healthy dog whose owners wanted to give up on him, I could see it. But this was someone else's 11 year old large breed dog with multiple health concerns. I know this sounds cold from the dog's point of view, but I really do have sympathy for this family. Some people are just not as bonded to animals as others, and this dog was an extra burden at a time when they were already burdened. They were probably at a loss. I guess I feel like you never know what goes on in a family. There could be many conflicting feelings about the deceased family member. The family could have a disabled child they needed to care for at home and had to get back immediately. This could have been the second death in a short period of time and this family was just numb. I would have given them the benefit of the doubt, and offered to board the animal while they produced an obituary or a death certificate (just to cover my bases). Then I would have euthanized him. Or if he was really a lovely dog I was attached to, I would have worked to find him a new home.

Patricia -

Yes, it is possible for an owner to sign their animal over to a hospital. In the case described by Dr Khuly the people who brought the dog likely had the power of owners as they had inherited the dog.

Many cats in the hospital where I work have gone through the surrender-treat-adopt out process. They are treated at the expense of the hospital :-) What keeps some people from giving their animals this chance is a misplaced pride. I will remember this case for a long time: a 4 year-old crouched-over cat with bloody urine, impending urinary blockage, and a back covered with mats was brought in, and the owner had no money to treat - or refused to find the money. We pleaded with him to sign the cat over to us: we would treat him at our expense, and then find him a home. "He already has a home" said the guy (not a pleasant member of the human race). He insisted on euthanasia. He's the owner. We can't force an owner to give up their property. And we have no legal recourse against him (cannot charge him with cruelty and make the cat a ward of SPCA): he sought veterinary care when his animal needed it. I hated his guts on that day, but when the dust settled I was willing to admit that in his own way he had taken responsibility for the cat.

I have to say Dr. Khuly that I disagree about this couple being good people. In my book they are horrible, selfish people who weren't thinking one iota about this poor dog or the wishes of his human. Sadly, I know there are many others like them out there. The one thing people who do love animals should take away from this is to PLEASE, PLEASE make arrangements so that in case of your death your animals fall into hands of people you TRUST, people who love and respect animals and if at all possible, people who will have the health, money and space to care for your animals long term. I have a life insurance policy that in addition to providing money for my elderly parents in the event of my death, also provides $50,000 each to three friends who have agreed to care for my felines. I picked these individuals carefully not just because they're friends but more importantly because they've loved and cared for felines all their lives. They don't necessarily need the money but I also think it's important to try to leave money to whoever is going to care for your pets since we all know keeping pets healthy and happy can be expensive. Term life insurance policies can cost just $100-200 a year for hundreds of thousands of coverage. I think it's the epitome of selfishness AND irresponsibility to have a pet and enjoy that animal while you're alive and then leave than animal who depended on you, at times since being a kitten or puppy, alone in the world to try to survive or worse yet, at the mercy of people like these you describe, after you're gone.

Oh and I have to say - I also think it's the epitome of selfishness and cruelty to have your pet killed once you die unless that animal is already sick. At least make an effort to try to find your pets homes. Don't just consider family. Relatives, in fact, may not be good candidates if they aren't animal lovers themselves or don't have the space/money. There may be neighbors willing to care for your pet, members of local rescue groups. The trick is to look for people who love animals and then make financial arrangements so they get your pet and money to help them care for that animal. Someone who has a couple of cats or dogs and rents an apartment may not be able to take in more BUT if you leave them $50,000, they may be able to put a down payment on a house where they will be able to have your pet(s) too. You may be able to make a mutual arrangement with someone so that you will care for their pets if something happens and they will care for yours.

It's easy to just have your pet killed once you're gone but that animal deserves better.

Of all the things you have written, this is the one that is most appreciated and appropriate.

Thank you for taking and stating your position on this issue, aposition with which I agree and support 100%.

You deserve to be a vet and the animals and their humans deserve you.

"Oh and I have to say - I also think it's the epitome of selfishness and cruelty to have your pet killed once you die unless that animal is already sick."

I have to agree 100% with this. The person above who said they put it in their will to have all their animals killed when they die is not someone I would ever want as a friend. That is cold, unfeeling, and horribly selfish. It's fine if you don't want to burden your family, but for the love of all that's holy, surely you must have friends who are willing to either foster, adopt, or find a rescue to take your animals (or maybe not). I cannot imagine giving the go ahead to have my dog killed if I die. That's just...wrong.

Just to add some estate information, I am not a lawyer, but my understanding is some states do (and some don't) allow trust sfor pets.

If you have an interest I recommend Nolo books. They are great self help legal guides and most libraries carry some titles.

I'm just having a hard time understanding how you could've written an entire column about this incident but done nothing more to save this dog than give what you clearly understand to have been a useless lecture to the people who planned to euthanize him. Under the circumstances I think your first instinct was probably the correct one, that is not to talk to them at all because all you accomplished was making them and yourself feel guilty. A sad situation all around. I guess if I had to choose between euthanasia or my dog being abused and neglected, I would choose euthanasia. But I have a trust set up and arrangements are made.

Several years ago, I was horrified when a breeder I know stated that all her dogs were to be euthanized upon her death, young, healthy or whatever. It was completely cold and heartless, in my opinion.

Particularly , when a breed rescue service is in place to provide temporary and permanent suitable homes.

Another club member passed away unexpectedly a few years back, and only one of her dogs had to be euthanaized due to severe illness, but other members stepped in to place the remaining dogs.

Quite a matter for concern is that companion animals are "property" and that can mean "disposal" without any meaningful regard.

I do believe they are bad people. Because I am pretty sure they are a) wrong, and b) know it (ie are lying) about killing the dog being what their loved one "would have wanted." Elderly people I know, this is something they most fear. Heck, I am in my 40s, and it is something I most fear. That something would happen to me and my pets would be summarily euthanized. Who want 3 10+ year old cats two of whom have chronic issues due to herpes virus?

It's not just that these people were "euthanizing" a old dog with some minimal chronic age related condtions who was understandably out of sorts after the sudden death of his life-long pack leader. It's that they are undoubtedly doing something that would BREAK THE HEART of their human loved one, now departerd, were they able to know it. It is a violatio of the relationship they had with that person.

Shame on them, and I am glad that I am neither related to them nor friends wit them. Moreover, if I were related to them or friends with them and knew they did this, I would definitely be downgrading that relationship to one of total direspect and distrust. Selfish people who cannot be trusted by their friends or family.

"I explained to them that I could help find the dog a home."

It sounds as if an offer was made to rehome the dog for them and they declined.

Right or wrong, pets are considered property in most areas and you can't force someone to sign them over.

I read your column all the time, but am truly disgusted how you could justify sending off the dog with these people. You stated that this dog was your patient for the last 5 years. You knew their owners? You state, And anyway, "owners" like this will almost always go somewhere else for the kill"
AND you didn't let the dog stay with you? You knew what would happen; I just don't understand. You "knew" the dog, surely you could have kept him for a few days, made some inquiries, posted to some readers, vet techs, foster homes - if you let the dog leave, it was surely a death sentence and probably a horrible death as well. How could you rationalize this?

Dr. Khuly

What a sad situation for the animal. May I suggest that you connect with some rescues as they can be of great help in a situation as this. There are senior rescues that will help. People should be very careful who they leave in charge of their companion pets.

I wish you had told them that you would take the baby and find it a home. No doubt they took it elsewhere to die. Perhaps they should look at their old wrinkled selves and be aware of our country going in the direction of "you are old so we are going to let you go" philosophy.

Louise Gallagher

I truly have compassion for the people who brought this dog in for euthanasia and I think that one could view this truly as an act of kindness. As others have stated, this dog was elderly, with significant health issues. I certainly think you had the professional right to deny euthanasia, but I would not judge these people, or consider this an act of convenience. I think it brings to light again that as animal guardians we should all have living wills for our animals, and make certain that the plans are discussed with the guardian and the veterinarian too.

This discussion has highlighted the unique and somewhat surreal status of animals as property and living beings at the same time. They are owned, but unlike the case with other kinds of property, people cannot treat them any which way they like.
Much of the discussion has been about an owner's wishes for what should happen to an animal after their death. Many people have a pretty good idea of whether their relatives are ready, willing and able to take on their animal in the event of their death. Maybe they are willing but need funds for the animal's veterinary care. Or, maybe money is not an issue, and the relative simply cannot take on the pet for other reasons. In the case posted by Dr Khuly we just don't know what, if anything, was agreed on between the deceased person and the people who brought the dog for euthanasia. Maybe it never came up. Sometimes people just assume their relatives will do right by their animals if something happens to them, or don't want to think about it at all. But what I can testify to personally is the fear and apprehension some people have: what can happen to my animal in someone else's hands? Many really would rather have it euthanized than face the uncertainty and upheaval of a new home and new owners in its old age. You may call this behaviour selfish, but as a veterinarian I will never judge these people harshly. If we are prepared to talk about the human-animal bond, let's at least admit that the first and maybe major bond has been dissolved with the owner's death. Is the animal ready for a new one?

One of my most beloved cats came to me this way...her owner had a new boyfriend and the boyfriend did not like the cat, so the owner brought the cat to my vet and paid for it to be euthanized. Right or wrong, my vet took the cat and the money, called me (he knew I had just lost one of my sweethearts) and asked if I would take the cat as it was only a youngster, about 3 years old. He used the money to give the cats its shots and an exam and defleaing and deworming, and sight unseen I picked her up and took her home. She was a lovely girl, but scared of things in the air, like feet and bags, but she fit in well and loved us dearly as we did her. Tasha was happy for many years and gave us so much in pleasure and laughter...she loved being patted really hard on her belly and flanks and had a voice like a creaking door. Adorable. I don't know if it was legally right for my vet to do this, but I believe it was morally right...a young, perfectly healthy cat...just unwanted...got many years of happiness and love...because he could not bear to put her down. I would have taken her even if there had been health problems, but as it happened, those did not happen til her 11th year. Convenience euthanasia is wrong. There are other options. I do not understand anyone who wants their animals put to sleep just because they are dead or because they do not want to care for them. Senior animals too, do adjust and often make great pets for someone, and there are mature dog adoption rescues and for cats too. I have made arrangements for my cats in case of my death or illness...and I strongly urge anyone with pets to do the same and make it very clear and known to everyone what is to happen to them...the last option is for them to go to a shelter I know and trust, but family and friends have promised me that that will not happen, and I trust them.

You did good, Dr. K. Kudos!

I also disagree and will say these were bad people. If they knew the owner so well, they would have known this was coming. If they had been such good friends to this person, they would have begun efforts sooner to try and help their friend rehome the dog.

Convenience is no excuse for murder, plain and simple.