AJ

[AJs Human]

He had a checkup just a couple of months ago.

If it was anything less than a level 4, bordering on level 5 bite, …..if, if, if...

I can't pack a behaviorist around in a semi-truck with me. I don't have the kind of money it would take to pay for that.

I can't rehome him after this.

I can't trust it won't happen again...because it has happened before, although not to this level.

I would rather it be me with him than he be taken by animal control to a strange, scary place.

[imbj]

Very sorry to hear about this situation. We've always followed you and AJ's adventures in the forum. When we're driving on I-5 and see the semi trucks, we always try to see if it's your truck so we can honk the horn, wave, and say hello and maybe get a glimpse of AJ. Thank you for sharing your adventures and our hearts and thoughts are with you and AJ.

[ownedbyspencer]

So sad for AJ. Run free, little one.

[tanza]

There are some here that have had to make that very, very difficult decision…. weighing the options, what is or is not reasonable, what is the best for the animal and the humans. It is never easy whatever the outcome. There is always that "what if?". My thoughts are with you and hope that his passing is easy and that he can then run free with those who have gone before him....

[kjdonkers]

So sorry.
All the best.

[Shaye's Mom]

I am so sorry to see you have to make this decision. It's easy for us, on the outside, to say what we would do, but in the end only you know your dog and the circumstances completely. My heart breaks for AJ, but also for you. I've read your posts and followed A J's journeys in the
"big rig," and he will be missed. God bless you.

[DebraDownSouth]

Ultimately, if people give advice and you weigh it, you have to do what is right. I don't think anyone believes you are not doing what you think is best. I am just so sorry for both of you.

[vickilb]

My heart goes out to AJ and to you. My BRAT boy is 5 and I got him when he was 1 1/2.

I'm guessing he bit his first Mom and she had no other recourse but to rehome him. I had no idea at the time. There has been blood, on both humans and my other B. He was never socialized, he resource guards, men scare him, transferred aggression towards my other b, etc etc.

I took him to a behaviourist and she gave me some tools but some things you just can't change.

I, too, have thought that I should put him down as he can't be rehomed. I just have to keep him sequestered in most situations.

Again, I feel your pain. It is your decision to make. He can't be happy, feeling the way he does. I, too, enjoyed your travel stories and hope to once again read about new adventures for you!!!!!

[stash]

Sad to hear, you are the one that knows your dog so you are the only one that can make the decision. Sorry for you to have to go through this it can't be easy. Hope you both find peace on the day. All the best.

Jolanda and Kaiser

[MrBaRooampBitty]

So sorry to read about your situation, it is a terrible decision to make under any circumstances

[curlytails]

This puts a terrible lump in my throat, but I can only imagine it's a fraction of what you're agonizing over. I know you've loved AJ and will do so up to the very end I think it is brave of you to be so honest to the forum. I can't add to what others have said… More experienced voices have already voiced what I wish I knew how to say.

Please check in and let us know how you are when you are able.

[lisastewart]

I can understand your pain. I cried for weeks after I put down our 11 yr old after many tries at behavior, drugs and other methods failed. My vet was pretty sure it was a brain tumor causing the behavior in my boy as he was throwing himself against the windows and doors trying to attack the other dogs/birds/humans who were either outside or inside, and he had never in his life acted like that previously.

[AnubisTheBarklessDog]

As I mentioned above, I've seen my mum go through the same thing, so I feel your pain. Hope you're ok.

[vickayx]

Maybe in dog heaven he will be able to be at peace (mentally and emotionally) and finally be happy around all the other doggies up there.. You are very brave my thoughts are with you

[AJs Human]

My heart is absolutely broken over this. It's not a decision I've rushed into. At the point it reached,I had no choice in the matter. He turned on someone who he's been living with between short stints on the truck with me.

I believe dogs can develop a canine version of Alzheimer's and that this is what happened with him.

He progressively became more demonstrative over the past six or so months and exhibited impulse control problems. He began vomiting a lot, so I had him checked. There was nothing physically wrong with him. He just didn't feel good, he didn't know why and it made him grumpy.

When he lashed out with the severity he did, I realized there is nothing more that could be done. He was 10 years old, with a history of having been abused. He was reverting to that mentality.

Attitudes like "all he needs is love and work" are what cause children to be hospitalized with severe facial lacerations. There is NO WAY I'm going to have something like that on my conscience out of my selfishness of not wanting to say goodbye to a good friend. It would be irresponsible on my part to insist on hanging on, ignoring all of the signs that it's time to let go.

He is out of pain and no longer a threat to animals or people.

I 100% believe I made the right decision, despite the fact that it feels like my heart has been gouged out with a dull spoon.

Thank you to those who understand. Ms. Pat, I have always had great respect for you and your opinion, even if I didn't always agree.

I will not be getting another dog.

[agilebasenji]

I absolutely believe this is not how AJ wanted to live. And yes, dogs can get/develop all sorts of things that cause behavioral problems. Perhaps a doggy Alzheimers perhaps a brain tumor, perhaps something else, either way, I think you did AJ a great kindness. I hope some day you will reconsider having another dog, but that is for another day i think.

(aside: I also have a very similiar story to Anubis'. Parent's jack russel, a rescue with little early socialization/training/etc. Bit my mom after years of owning the dog. he did have resource issues, etc. they ended up putting him to sleep. sometimes doing the reponsible thing just plain sucks.)

[Kananga]

@AJs:

I 100% believe I made the right decision, despite the fact that it feels like my heart has been gouged out with a dull spoon.

Very sorry to hear about what had happened with him. However, it sounds like this was the best thing to do, and it always helps to have certainty behind your own decision made.

I can see both viewpoints on this decision. At the end of the day, you're the one responsible for AJ, and you know him best. Given what you described as the severity of the bite, I can only imagine the worry going forward if you were to roll the dice and simply hope for the best.

I'm sure he's grateful for the life you gave him. It doesn't matter if it's 2 years or 12 years, quality > quantity. He got an adventure with the travels and now he can be at peace.

Perhaps time will heal and you will change your mind on getting another dog. For now, just remember the good times, I'm sure there were plenty.

[AJs Human]

I'll spread his ashes over the open road. It's where he was happiest.

[kjdonkers]

Thanks for posting the full picture - makes a lot of difference.

[nomrbddgs]

I'm so sorry for your loss and the decision you had to make. It's never easy, and at best, very heartbreaking when you know that nothing else can be done. You've done the right thing. You will always wonder 'what if?' but don't let your pain cloud the decision that you made. Think of the other way-what if you had continued on the way he was? Would it have made him any happier? Sometimes we have to do what is best for the whole instead of the individual and I believe that he couldn't have been very happy either. Again, I'm so, so sorry.