Dear Debbie: I have put down 3 animals this year. All were very old, a cat(16) and two of my dogs. My dogs were 17. What made me decide to put my two old dogs down was, like your vet said, my Maggie went out to go potty one day and fell down. She could barely walk, apparently a major organ went, probably her heart, she was lingering and suffering. My other dog was old, blind, deaf, and was not getting around very well. One day we took him to our families for a visit and we saw just how blind he was, he kept bumping into things. It really hit us. This is what I ask myself..Oh, and about 10 years ago I had a dog who was 16 and died of old age in my home. At that time I had 5 dogs, we sat around her bed, we loved on her. She was not afraid, dying is a natural part of life and all she asked is that I would stay with her. I did all the things she loved to do, brush her, pet her, talk to her, until my husband came and we could go to the vet together...she died just as we got there. THis situation made me realize, animals do not fear death, she was ready, calm, and peaceful. So, now I go back to what I began to say earlier..this is what I ask myself. My dogs trust me to do the very best for them...unselfishly. They will hang around to please me, even when they are ready to go, because they can sense me not wanting to let them go. I wrestle with the decision for weeks, sometimes a year, and never feel good about it, or comfortable with it, but I know I have to do what is right for my pet, because they are so faithful to me and trust me so completely. In the wild, they would go away somewhere to die, or be killed by an animal or starve to death when they are unable to fend for themselves. So, I try and remember do what is best for them, despite my tears, my breaking heart, and my desire to hold on to their lives just a little longer. I think you feel the same way, or you would not have come for help to this site.
Only you know what that time has come. Take time and look into your pups eyes, you'll find the answer there.
It takes me quite a long time to get over loosing a dog. I am sorry for your pain and the pain of your companion. I will pray for a merciful passing and for your heart to endure.
I noticed someone gave you the link to the article about this topic, it is a good one, I hope you will read it.
May God bless you

Hi Jessica,

Good job in finding homes for these puppies. What strikes me is that you were unaware that your female had been bred in the first place. It’s amazing how resourceful the little buggers can be when you made such an effort to keep her separated during her heat cycle. Tells me that since you don’t know how the two got together to breed in the first place, chances are very good that it will happen again if you don’t get this female spayed before her next cycle.

She is way too young to have even had this first litter and to end up pregnant again would really be pushing the limits on what is healthy for her. I hope you take everyones advice and have her spayed before she goes into heat again.

Good Luck,

Thank you for the positive advice, and thank you too to the people who decided to be negative. I myself am a dog lover to no end. I too agree there is a big problem with people having puppies and them ending up getting put down. I was planning on waiting until she was atleast 3 to breed her. So no I am not a careless dog owner who had an "oops litter" and doesn't care. It hurts to know I have to get rid of them. But unfortunately where I live you are only allowed to have 4, my dogs have the best of the best, they are walked 4 times daily for an hour each time, they get fed properly, and are crated when I'm not home to supervise them. I may not be the conventional dog owner who follows every rule on training and I may show way too much affection but I am not careless. This simply happened way too fast, I had done all my research before I had even gotten the first dog, I didn't do extensive research on puppies for the simple fact that I didn't think I'd be in that kind of situation so soon, not to mention I am finding it extremely difficult to find any kind of info on puppies. The 3 homes I found are my best friend who I've known for years, a very nice elderly neighbor who has just lost her own dog, and a co-worker of mine who has 1 dog and is looking for another. I found good homes, I know they will be loved, treated properly and not sent to the SPCA to be someone else's problem. Personally, I've seen some of the conditions at some of these "Human societies" and I wouldn't wish any dog into a cold, rigid place like that.... if there is any other positive advice to be given I would more than appreciate it, I would be extremely grateful, I want to be extremely positive that I've done everything I can from my end, if I had it my way I would keep these puppies, spay/neuter them all, and give them a wonderful life, but there are way too many other things tied into this situation preventing me from doing that.

Dennis suggested that you look for homes now so that at adoptive age they are ready with a permanent home. Sounds like you are doing that.

You have found all the homes?

If not, have you mentioned this to the staff at your vet's office? I mention this because people whose dog has died (and others) will sometimes speak about being ready for a dog who needs them.

When you ask for positive advice, is it on getting the puppies in the best shape for their adoption, or finding more homes, or ..... the thread got a little messed up, so at this point maybe direct specific questions are good.

I'm looking for advice on how to keep them healthy and properly cared for until I give them to their new homes, I have found homes.

I am also wondering how I should go about giving them to their new homes. How traumatic is it going to be for Cookie (mom)? And what can I do to make it easier on her.

This was MY FAULT not the poochies, so I'm trying to make sure I make it as easy on her as possible.

I am also wondering about shots, because if need be I'll get them shots, I'm just confused because some say they need shots between 2-4 weeks, again at 4-8 weeks, then again between 12-14 weeks...
But then other people are telling me once at 12 weeks and then the boosters and that's it....

Thanx so much for the advice!!
Jess

 Quote: Jessica Swigart

I'm looking for advice on how to keep them healthy and properly cared for until I give them to their new homes, I have found homes.

I am also wondering how I should go about giving them to their new homes. How traumatic is it going to be for Cookie (mom)? And what can I do to make it easier on her.

This was MY FAULT not the poochies, so I'm trying to make sure I make it as easy on her as possible.

I am also wondering about shots, because if need be I'll get them shots, I'm just confused because some say they need shots between 2-4 weeks, again at 4-8 weeks, then again between 12-14 weeks...
But then other people are telling me once at 12 weeks and then the boosters and that's it....

Thanx so much for the advice!!
Jess

If they were mine and I was geting ready to place them, I would probably use the Jean Dodds minimal-vaccine protocol. Not knowing whether they would be on a fresh raw diet and as well-cared for as they would be with me, that would probably be my route. It isn't like you're a breeder and can demand certain care items in a contract.
http://www.weim.net/emberweims/Vaccine.html


Someone is telling you to vaccinate at 2 weeks??

I am sure that breeders will see this and have advice for how to wean/separate them, etc.

Mike gave some info back on page 2 or so:

QUOTE:
They are 4 weeks old??

They should be with the mother, no other dogs should be around them, they should be kept together, and you shouldn't be doing ANY training with them.

I dont remember exact feeding schedules, someone will correct me im sure, but at 4 weeks you can start weening them off the mother and giving them milk from a puppy dish (the kinda milk you buy at petsmart, not regular people milk I think). At 5.5-6 weeks you can start giving them mushy kibble mixed with the milk to get them started on solids.

Keep them with the mother till 8 weeks, then start seperating them with crates. You can start taking them away from the mother for short periods of time at 6.5-7 weeks to start getting them used to being away from the mother. END

http://leerburg.com/feedpups.htm


Sorry I am not a puppy expert; they will see this and answer, though.

Jessica
When I wean pups I gradually take mom away from the pups starting at 6.5-7 weeks. She is usually glad to get away from them by that time. Leaving the pups in the familiar spot is less stressful on them than having them go to a new area during weaning, mom generally doesn't care. On the day of complete separation I like to time it according to the almanac. I've tried it both ways and there is no question in my mind that mom and pups are much more relaxed/don't notice when I go by the almanac.
I avoid days involving the trunk and try to go with arm or leg days. If you PM me I can tell you the best days for your pups.
If you think I'm just superstitious I'll be happy to carry a black cat under a ladder on Friday the 13th. :laugh:
My pups never go to new homes before they are 8 weeks old. Very small pups (under 2 lbs) will stay until I'm sure they are eating well and very active. If a pup is acting just a little "off" I don't let him go until he is back to normal.