Dog Euthanasia

[YurtGirl]

Thank you Rob. What you say is true. Craig, Castro is our vet, has been for a couple years now. He's a good and caring vet, I like him, though I must say that I have had to research and diagnose many of Max's issues myself since we moved here 5 years ago. Same goes for mine and several friend's health issues throughout the years. There's a strange lack of follow through and innovative thinking in these fields here on our island. If it isn't a common condition then most health care providers often shake there heads and throw cures for the symptoms at the problem, never touching the main issue. It is that way many places, but it is the norm here. But I digress. My background is heavy in medical training and education, but even still, I am not accustomed to having to be the one who does 90% of the research to come up with a logical explanation even after going to the 'professionals'. Regardless, Castro won't do a house call for this, I've asked, on the verge of tears a couple months ago during a particularly bad spell for Max. I don't know his reasons for that, I trust they're good ones, but it leaves me still searching. I've contacted the Humane Society and the Pease clinic as well. Same story, Pease won't do it unless he's a previous patient. I called Dr. Almond, a horse vet, no return call. This isn't jumping to conclusions about the vets, Frankie. This is me at my wits end, after having contacted all the vets I've been able to find in this area and surrounding areas. I've considered searching around Waimea where there is more ranching and such, though I'm sure the bill would be astronomical if it were possible to even get a vet to come - I would pay it if it made it easier for him.

I had hope when I saw the 'traveling vet' sign near CD Wizard the other day, but if that's Pease, then I've tried that route too. The problem with taking Max anywhere at this point is the miles of bumpy roads on his painful joints. He's a big dog. And I will be burying him at home. I need a solution where he can die here, comfortably.

Glen, no offense meant on the PETA comment, but honestly, after trying to find solutions on the web for a while now, people can be SO shortsighted in their convictions and many of the comments that got me riled up were PETA fanatics. I am an animal lover, obviously, so the good work they've done doesn't go unnoticed. I just don't want to deal with comments saying that I'm an awful friend/pet owner if I consider helping to ease his suffering in unconventional ways if/when that time comes. That would be too much at this point.

Thank you all for your words and sharing your experiences, keep any ideas coming. I'll keep you posted. Tonight he's calm. Seems to be really honing his other senses to compensate for losing his eyesight. He got yummy table scraps and gets to sleep inside, so it's been an okay day for him. And for me.