I Know My Title Should Get Some Notice So Thats Why I Stateded That Way.

But The Truth Is I Hope He Does Pass Away Before I Have To Go To Jail. I'll Be Sentanced In Dec. And I Should Get 12-18m So We Have Some Time. He's Very Old, And If He's Still Alive In Dec I'll Have To Put Him Down.

By The Way Im Talking About My Dog He's
9 1/2 Years Old And He's A 205 Lb English Masstiff My House Has Been Forclosed On, My Wife And Daughter Are Goin To Live In A 1bedroom Apt. At My Brothers House So They Cant Keep Him. A Masstiff's Life Span Is Only 8-10 Years. But He Is In Great Shape And It Breaks My Heart Knowing IM The Reason Why He Has To Be Put To Sleep
I Thought About A Rescue Home But Everone Including My Wife Say It Would Be Worse For Him, He's So Atatched To Me That It Would Be Mental Torture On Him. What Do You Think
Thanks

Wait, wait...try and find someone with a good home and let him transition with the two of you. If he's in great shape, that just breaks my heart. See what you can do first, maybe English Masstiff rescue? Oh, I don't know. Maybe you are right, but the whole situation is so sad. I'm sorry all of this is happening at once to you, what a load. If there's anything we can do...maybe post something in the NJ Forum and the pet forum??? Hang in there and hopefully PTO will be a help for you.

Please call the Mastiff Rescue maybe they can advise you of the best possible choice you are facing. Dog's can transition into another home. It may take some time but like MountainMom says maybe you can work something out with the rescue people. I too am sorry that you are facing this.....I just so hope and pray that there is another answer out there besides putting him down. Someone at PTO must have an answer.

My heart goes out to you. My brother is in prison and when he got picked up, the only thing he was concerned about was his dog. He has an American Bull Dog. Our dog is old also and I know he misses my brother terribly, but being around the family the dog is doing fine. This must be breaking your heart--we are avid dog lovers in my family, so I do feel your pain. If you have to put the dog down, know in your heart that he would have only had a few more years to live--so don't put so much guilt on yourself. Even though, he would adapt just fine if you did find him a good home, you have to make sure that the people you are giving him to really want him. If you are lucky enough to find someone, then don't worry he will be fine, but if you really don't know them, just don't put him in a rescue or shelter or a bad home. Put him to sleep and don't guilt trip yourself --it is time. My brother lucked out. We thought he was going to go away for a very long time and he would not see his dog again, but by the sake of God, he was sentenced and the judge did not impose a harsh sentence-so our dog is waiting for his master to return.

Again, you have enough sadness right now in your life. Use this experience as a lesson and make sure that when you do your time and are released--you never go back to prison again. I will pray for you and your family and especially your dog. :thumbsup: A

Hi. I'm involved in English mastiff rescue here in Nevada. There is no reason to put your big guy down. Someone from rescue will take him. The people that rescue mastiffs know these big guys better than anyone and although I understand what your family is saying I think they could do a good job caring for him and helping him live out the rest of his days in a loving home. I have a neighbor who saw one of hers live to be 13 then she had one go at 11 and one go at 12. I also once rescued an old guy and only had him for 10 months, but in that 10 months he became such a treasured member of our family. He was an amazing boy. It depends on the line they are out of and what the longevitiy is like , also a bit of luck. I am so sorry that you have to deal with such a horrible thing. Feel free to PM me if you need me to help you find a contact person in your state.

Also, for the benefit of everyone here, Rescue and shelters are NOT the same thing. Rescue groups really care, carefully screen families, do home visits and are trying their hardest to help the breed they love so much. Shelters are where dogs get dumped. Some may have workers that care but they will always have some that don't. They are not good places for the most part.

MILLTAXI,
I am very sad for you and your loving dog. Also your whole family.
A dog is a really a man best friend. My brother also has a dog, and when he went to prison almost a year ago, he worried about Smokey his Dog. He didn't worry about his self. It was Smokey. Every where he went smokey went. Our oldest sister told him she would care for him. When I go to our home town in Tenn where she lives and he also, I take a picture of Smokey and send it own a Post Card to my brother.
He can see his beloved Dog.
Maybe who ever keeps him they will send you a picture every once in a while of your beloved Dog.
Best wishes to you, and I hope you find a good home for him.

I would suggest taking him to the Mastiff Rescue also....we have two dogs that we adopted through Boxer rescue and they did great...they were not as old as yours ...but you know your wife could keep tabs on him while he is there and I am sure if you explain the situation they would even let her visit and send you pictures!!!! Please do not put him down....you never know if he is in good shape maybe he would wait for you and still be there when you get home.
Dawn

Definately contact the rescue places first befor considering anything else. I was contacted last year by a vet, I take the occasional animal in!!, asking if I would like - another - cat. His owners had taken him to the vet's to get put to sleep as they were moving to another country and actually couldn't be bothered to find him a new home or take him to a rescue center. Obviously you want what's best for your dog, unlike this owner who couldn't be bothered! I took the cat in, he's 14, settled in and is quite a character :-)

http://www.sosmastiffrescue.org/aboutrescue.htm

http://mastiff.org/exhibit-hall/rescue/policy.mv

I am so sorry, I can't imagine how much you must be worrying about your buddy. But everyone's advice is good - go through a rescue organization and they'll surely help. You might want to let your vet know what's going on - s/he may be able to help.

Another thought, I don't know what everyone else's experience was, and maybe we were different because it was a high profile case, but our sentencing was postponed several times(not by us) and then we requested that he not go for 4 months after he was sentenced. If you have a good enough reason you might be able to wait almost a whole year to go and by then the dog would be 10 1/2 and possibly closer to being ready to go to the bridge. Such a horrible thought, I'm sorry. Of course if he's still in good shape the decision to take him to rescue or put to sleep might be even harder. I'm so sorry.

Thanks!!!!! Im Gona Think About The Rescue. When I Say He's In Great Shape I Mean Relitvly Speaking, He Is Goin Blind And He Has A Hard Time Gettin Up When He's Laying Down But Once He's Up He's Prety Good. The Bad Part Is When Im Not Home For A Day He Just Lay's There Wont Eat, Drink Or Move UNTIL I GET HOME I Don't Think He Would Do That Good In A Rescue But I Will Think About It. I Just Dont Want To Put Him In Rescue To Ease My Mind. Knowing This Dog,would Change Most Of Your Minds About Rescue. He's Big And Real Mean Looking But He's Afraid Of His Shadow When He Meets Someone New He Runs And Hides But I Still Love Him!!!!
Thanks Agin Everone

Milltaxi, Sorry For Your Troubles. Wanted To Say If You Do Give Your Dog To Someone To Care For,make Sure They Are Serious. My Son's So Called Friend Wanted Him And Then His Exgirlfriend And They Didn't Take Good Care Of Him. I Have Him Now And Have Him Healthy And Comfortable And That Makes My Son Feel Better. I Don't Incourage Tatoos But My Son Has His Dog On His Side And That Way He Is Always With Him.

i work as a vet tech and as part of my job we put dogs down on a weekly basis and it is a completely calm and painless procedure...although this is always a very personal choice i myself under your same circumstances would choose to euthanize my dog....from what you say his quality of life is already deteriorating and even if he is placed you will never know what his situation will be from that point on....i have seen many cases where people because of their attachment to their pet let the animal suffer in pain for many months before they can bring themselves to let them go.....i find that so difficult to understand...they say they love them so much yet let them suffer needlessly for no possible positive outcome....just my opinion but i think it would be better for you to be there with him at the end then for you to send him off to some unknown situation and uncontrolable future....this is in no means criticizing the work that rescue groups do because they are wonderful this is speaking strickly to your personal situation because of his age and problems that are only going to get worse with time....you still have a few months left to be with him...good luck to you both

HI

where are you located ? I have 4 dogs now ( we have three and we also take care of our daughters who is in collage) if you are close enough I would be willing to help ( as long as he is ok with other dogs)

ps we have 2 labs 1 swowzer 1 cock apoo

joe

please dont put him down if hes healthy........

My mom just gave her English Mastiff to the Mastiff Rescue. It was a hard decision but necessary as my mom is in a apartment. I think he will readjust well!

I'll be self-surrendering next week. Our dog will continue to have a good home with my kids. But, something rely amazing is happening. "Ginger' somehow knows something is going wrong. She does not want to leave my side. Her eyes, body language, and behavior are a combination of pure love and empathy.
I wounder if others have had this experience.
Steve

Every time something happens my shih tzu gets a skin infection and starts to show signs of depression. When I had problems with my husband he used to hide in the closet. Now that his "daddy" is away he changed his personality and got his skin infection but with time and phone calls ( yes we are those freaks that talk to dogs on the phone) he is back to himself. It is a good idea to leave something that smells like you near the dog so your smell can help with the change, dont worry, if he gets love he will be fine and waiting for you.

Milltaxi, I have fostered probably a dozen frightened/distressed dogs. They DO make it. It takes care, and often other dogs who are good secure personalities. You should ask the rescue now, so you can help him transition to new people before you go. If the rescue people don't feel that they can find someone appropriate, though, then don't feel bad about euthanizing him. Sometimes it's the very kindest thing to do.

I do not envy the pain you are going through right now. Dogs are family members and just as hard to leave behind - especially if you know you will never see them again.

I have been in this situation from the reverse side. I work with a purebred rescue organization and took in a 10 year old Doberman with multiple medical problems. His owner committed suicide and there were no family members to take the dog. When the dog came to my home he was so depressed it nearly broke my heart. He would lie on the couch all day and sigh - long and exagerrated sighs.

After about a week, however, he started to engage in play with the other Dobes around the house. He would run on the beach and fetch and soon I found out that he had some serious obedience training. He was a super smart dog! He was happy and laughing and found joy in his new "pack."

Unfortunately, he was only with us for 6 months. He died peacefully and naturally at home without intervention and with dignity. I am not against euthanasia and have had to make this decision on young dogs who were injured or nearing a painful death. I do, however, believe that an old dog should be allowed to die of old age. We don't need to help them along the way. It's not natural.

I am sure that a Mastiff rescue can place your dog in a loving home and that they can send you pictures and updates. Who knows, you may be surprised and he'll be around after your release...? The lifespan of a Doberman is 10 - 12 years, but I have a friend with a happy, healthy 16 year old. We never know God's plan...

Facing a prison sentence is enough stress, but euthanizing a dog is extremely stressful and leaves a terrible scar of guilt on your heart. If you truly think he is in pain and physically, then let your heart tell you what is best. If you are worried about his emotional well being, then understand that dogs live in the moment - in the now. He will remember you and miss you, but he will adjust much more easily than a human could.