dls for jackson

MartyT - thanks for the support. Fortunately, I am not losing faith in our justice system and certainly not changing my love of animals, in particular dogs. I'm more shocked and even humiliated, than angry. It has cost a lot of time and energy and money to get through this...but overall I'm so proud of my relationship w/ my Jackson. We were a great pair. These strangers that accused me do not know me, didn't know my heart, and certainly did not know Jackson. Kayc, Nothing was brought to media's attention. I'm afraid if it was, it may have not favorable considering that i was assumed guilty and misjudged from the start. I lost, in that I had to agree to a 'conditional' dismissal only if i met certain conditions... It was a humiliating experience.

I'm so sorry about the sudden loss of your cat...I can empathize with how important your pet was in your life. I feel your loss and have been in your shoes. Here you know that you can find comfort and support. You are not alone!

Hello and you are not alone! I have been in your shoes. All of us, as you can see, understand your heart and empathize completely. I too thought that Jackson know when it was time to let me go, much less what it took for me to let him go. I had been alone for many years, single, and Jackson had been one constant 'person' that I could count on even through the death of both of my parents and and a divorce. I say this bcs, ironically, I had Jackson put down the 2nd day after I met my fiancee. I think that Leo, my fiancee, came into my life for a reason, God had the timing in mind. When it was time for Leo to take me & jackson to the shelter, we had a long talk and Jackson told me in his own way, that he knew I would be ok because I had someone to take care of me now, and would not be alone... I totally understand your feelings. Like I said, you are not alone. It does get better!

Kay C, thank you for that!! I totally agree! Some people really skew the lines drawn between caring for your pet and having to let them go and what real animal cruelty means! It's just unbelievable. If I had been someone who owned a gun and found some property out in the country to put Jackson out of his misery, then no one would've known either way. Likewise, if I had been cold-hearted enough to dump him at the shelter and drive off, like he was unwanted furniture or something, no one would've known the difference. But, b/cs I loved him so much I wanted to walk in and let him go the respectful way and attach my name to him bcs I owned him and loved him for 13 years, then they have the nerve to judge me?! ...to the point that they think I commited a crime and should be charged with a crime? I still can't get over it, it's like a horrible dream that is real.

CJ, Thank you for your kind, comforting words!! You would not believe what I went through & still dealing with. I had called the 2-1-1 people in my city to ask if they could pick up Jackson since I had a transportation issue. They said they would not, bcs they only picked up 'stray' dogs. They explained that I could 'drop him off' at the shelter anytime 24/7, and leave a note with him, if it was too painful to go in and do it face to face. I said no, I can't just dump him there. I will at least walk in and do it the civil, responsible way. So, I went in to ask them to have him put to sleep, and because I did the responsible thing by filling out the paperwork, they accused me of animal cruelty! Me, of all people?! Anyone who knows me knows how much I love my dogs and treat them like children. If i had done the cowardly, disrespectful thing and just dumped Jackson there and drove away, I guess they would have never accused me. Instead, I did the kind, responsible thing and walked in and filled out a form and now have had to pay the consequences of a ludicrous charge...animal cruelty?! why? because I had to put my 15 yr old cocker spaniel to sleep, why? because I didn't put him to sleep as 'soon's as they thought I should have? All of these judgments made by strangers who have nothing to do with me or jackson or know anything about us?!! I could not afford a lawyer, nor could I understand why I had to even go to court and defend myself against a ridiculous charge. It was a waste of mine and the court's time. I had to go back to court every 2 weeks to say that I could not afford a lawyer. The Judge kept giving me an addl two weeks to try and hire one. I finally got a fair attorney who charged a much more reasonable fee and she represented me. She was able to get the case 'dismissed conditionally' if i agreed to pet loss counseling. If I comply with that and send them proof that I did comply, they will dismiss the case. That one year period is up soon, the 13th of April. I have to prove that I sought pet loss counseling or support. This is disgraceful and humiliating, all because I loved Jackson so much that I properly took him to be put to sleep when he was too old to be cared for. Humans amaze me. Laws amaze me. CJ, tell me about the empty bowl pantry you represent? I would love to make a donation : )))

Hello, How does everyone feel about that horrible time when you have to make a decision about putting your furry family member to sleep? I had to face that decision in 2009, when I put my Jackson to sleep. He was my 15 yr old cocker spaniel mix. He lived a great life with me and he certainly enriched my life in many ways. I feel that we were especially close because I do not have any children, so he truly was my 'furry son'. It was obvious that it was time for me to put Jackson down when his health declined due to a combination of illness and age. He was still eating and drinking and fairly active considering his age. I had to take him to the local animal shelter because I did not have the funds to have the vet put him down and creamate him. I did not have a yard for burial, since I had an apt at the time, so I had to find another way to put him to rest. I took him to the animal shelter and the employee there questioned me about why he was being taken in. She asked what was wrong with him because she could see the problem with his teeth. I explained that, obviously, I was there to put him to sleep because of his health and age. He could not be treated any further. She made a condescending remark while I completed the necessary paperwork and then said goodbye to Jackson. As anyone knows, this was a heartbreaking decision. I gave a loving home to Jackson for 13 years. A few weeks later, I was accused of animal cruelty because the shelter apparently thought I had neglected him before I put him down. It is unbelievable! Has anyone had such a horrible experience as I did??? I could not believe it and am still dealing with it!!!!!!

Thank you both for your replies. I appreciate the support. It was a very difficult time and, like losing a person, is not something one can just 'get over' with a little time. I also experienced a terrible legal ordeal, as a result of putting my 15 year old Jackson to sleep. It's a horrible but real story that I am still dealing with now.

Hello everyone, I'm a new member, still learning my way around this site. I'd like to talk about Jackson; my furry son. He was a cocker spaniel mix who died 11/2009. I adopted Jackson in 1996. I knew that he was special when he was the only dog NOT barking at the pound. We were a perfect match. He was a very smart, loyal, lovable member of the family. Jackson experienced so much of my life with me. He moved with me from city to city, even from TX to FL, then back to TX. He was with me when my father passed away, and when my mother passed away almost two years later. Through the deaths of both of my parents, I also dealt with a bad marriage. Jackson was with me before, during, and after that marriage finally ended. He was very communicative and ultimately loyal. His health declined in 2009; he was getting ear infections more frequently and overall health was deteriorating due to age...cataracts, hearing loss, etc. Jackson was a trooper til the end; when I came to terms with having to put him to sleep, we had a talk about things. Jackson understood me. Fate put a great man in my life, who is now my fiance, and i think that Jackson somehow knew that it was time to go ahead and let go, bcs he knew I would not be alone, bcs I had someone to help take care of me. I truly think that Jackson held on for that reason. When I met my fiance, he accompanied me to the animal shelter when I had to have him put down. It was one of the most difficult things I had to do, but I knew it was time for him to move on...i know he's like a guardian angel, right up there with my parents, watching over me. Now I know that he's happy, healthy, and probably enjoying his time in heaven, which he surely deserves. Having jackson for 13 years was a blessing in my life. He was my family; a constant companion through the worst times of my life. He gave his heart unconditionally to me and in return I loved him with all of my heart. I still grieve for him, I still shed tears when I think about him, I will never forget him. He touched my life profoundly. I have more to share but this is a good start... I know that some of you can truly relate to this and I welcome your support.