Fri 12th April: When it's time to say goodbye

Toyah's last meal was prepared with love

Being a No Kill organisation means that I don't have to go through the heartbreaking experience of having healthy dogs put to sleep, at least unless they are seriously aggressive and luckily that is very rare.  Letting a dog go that is very sick or suffering isn't exactly easy, but at least there's the knowledge that nothing more can be done and euthanasia is the kindest option, far better than seeing a slow and painful deterioration. 

I don't know how many times I've held a dog in my arms as the final injection is given but it's a high number, and that was my task for today when sweet poodle Toyah's time came.  She had skin cancer which had resulted in multiple drug-resistant bacteria causing a horrible skin infection, and any treatment for the cancer would have made the skin problem even worse.  On top of Toyah's own suffering was the fact that her skin condition could have infected other dogs, so we knew there was no choice but to let her go.  We had scheduled today as the day, and many volunteers came to say goodbye before I picked Toyah up to take her to Acorn.  Long-termer Harryn had cooked a delicious meal of previously-forbidden food (which would have made the skin even itchier), and then it was time.

For those of you facing the same situation and wondering if the time has come, I know that feeling of dread only too well.  If there's any consolation - and I always ask that the dog is sedated first - the actual process is over very quickly, and if there has been any suffering or disability, then you know it is over.   Every dog owner hopes that their old or sick dogs will die in their sleep, but sometimes you have to take over and help them on their way.  That's our responsibility if we love our dogs enough to know when to let go and end the pain.

Timmy is a lovely little dog

On to happier things, I took the new little terrier to AFCD for licensing which meant having to guess an age.  I estimated six years, and asked Dr Joe at Acorn to see what he thought and luckily he agreed on my assessment.   Timmy, his new name, is a gorgeous little dog, very good-natured and friendly, and ideal for anyone with allergies. 

Our Homing Centres are full of lovely dogs and puppies, and open every single day for adoptions.  Our Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre is currently swarming with puppies of all sizes, so come by if you're looking for a new family member, or visit Whiskers N Paws on Sunday afternoon, 2pm to 5pm, to say hello.