My best to you Mike.
I am doing a similar thing today though not as graphic as finding a mauled pet.
My best friend of 14 years was unable to stand up to go outside to take a piss last night. I had to call Kev and say "Hey man I can't go fishing tomorrow morning...gotta deal with a sick dog." I felt bad (like I was flaking). Kev and I have met and fished together but never on one of our boats.
We made a plan that I'd call him at 3am if Cosmo got better. At 3 no change.
At 7am this morning I had to carry her outside and she tipped over while eating and tipped over again while doing her business.
F'ing sad. She cried when trying to stand last night and again when I carried her out this morning.
This dog has had a couple hundred stiches hitting barbed wire while chasing birds and knocked herself out running into a pole while chasing a ball and has NEVER cried before.
I just got off the phone with the vet. They ran my credit card and have all the paper work ready so I can walk in sign and flee.
Ten years ago I put a dog down and stayed to be with her...that was a mistake. I can take apart an elk or a deer no problem but watching my buddy die I will not do again if I can avoid it.
I was not going to post this until I read your thread...sorry for the hijack but it feels good to get it out and lots of people on here have met Cosmo.
I'm going to take a break from dog ownership for a while. In two years when my boy turns 10 we will start a puppy to hunt together. In the mean time keep me in mind this fall and winter boys if you are going on a duck or upland hunt and need an extra gun. Mrs. C will hopefully be chasing ducks and pheasants in doggie heaven (though I really don't beleive that). Kinda makes me feel better to think it though.