[tat2stuff]

I said goodbye to my boy Dexter this morning, he took his last breath at 11am. Dexter just tuned a year old this month and was one of the best dogs I ever had.

I had so many hopes and dreams for Dexter like therapy work, weight pulling, agility and he was a wonderful, smart, well behaved dog in all respects. Dexter went everywhere with us, even on vacation. Dexter was the perfect dog except for one fatal flaw that he had no control over… his genetics.

Unfortunately he was a product of sloppy dumbass back yard breeding practices. I got Dex at 12 weeks and he was always somewhat shy around strangers. He was very confident in all other respects, and very happy to be with his family, he just wouldn’t warm up to strangers. We socialized him, attended puppy kindergarten, basic and advance training; Dexter even got his CGC with flying colors.

Then a few months ago he started to regress. He would growl at certain people, especially little kids, and he started to become more and more shy meeting new people again. About 2 weeks ago he was in my truck and a bunch of girls ran up to us with my daughter and he snapped at them out the window. I almost had a heart attack and thought he got one of them (thankfully he didn’t)

I got in touch with Maryellen for advise on a good behaviorist that knew the breed and she calmed me down and got me in touch with Laura Waddell of K9 Problem solvers & Mary Harwelik of www.realpitbull.com. Dexter was evaluated and exhibited random fear of strangers with no specific triggers caused by genetic neurological serotonin deficiency. I considered behavioral medication, but that would only be a band aid for the problem and he would never be “fixed”. I just couldn’t put someone else at risk, especially kids (my 10 year old daughter has friends over all the time) or let Dexter live in fear and anxiety all his life. We made one of the hardest decisions someone could make.

We gave Dexter a special day yesterday, fed him a 1 1/2lb T Bone for dinner and ice-cream for desert. We watched a spectacular sunset, took lots of pictures, and had a wonderful day. This morning we went to the vet, they agreed to come outside in the field next to the clinic to send Dexter off (Dexter freaked out at the vet lately and I didn’t want his last minutes to be stressful). It was a beautiful sunny day, we played in the field and he ate the rest of his steak. The vet came out and and gave him a sedative, we held him and told him we loved him until he fell asleep, then we sent him to a better place. He passed peacefully and happy on the grass with his favorite toy and in the arms of the ones he loved…

God Bless you my boy, you will be greatly missed…

[CynthiaATL]

I am so for your loss. He is in a peaceful place. I know it seems hard but you made the right decision.

I had to make a decision like that and it was hard but I knew it was the right decision.

[Madeleinemom]

My thoughts are with you; I have only had to make that decision once (for medical/physical reasons that were not fixable with all the money on this planet), but I remember the pain even 10+ years later.

You made the right decision.

RIP, Dexter.

Steve, my heart breaks for you and your family, and even though I only got to spend a few hours with him, I felt privileged to meet him, and am teary over the loss of that sweet Massachusetts red nose.

May he rest quietly and with dignity and with never any fear on the other side of the bridge.

[Michele]

I am so sorry for your loss. He was loved.

[MercedesMama]

I am so sorry for your loss. RIP Dexter

[maryellen]

RIP Dexter.. hugs to you and your family

[CAROLINA]

RIP DEX wow sad and nice story all at the same time I applaud you for having the courage to do the responsible thing It would be so hard for me after spending so much time with him but had to be done good job wowwww

[fearlessknight]

I am really sorry for your loss. He was so beautiful and appeared to a very happy go lucky lil fellow.
I commend you in doing the right thing though. I know it is hard. But he he is in a good place now.
R.I.P Dexter

[PNWPBR]

My heart breaks each and every time one of us has to make this decision. There is no room for mistakes with our dogs and every time one of us has to make the hard call, we are preserving our breed for everyone. Im so very sorry that you had to make that choice and at the same time very glad you did. Dex is now at peace and eventually you will be too. It takes time to heal, and sometimes we never fully do, but making the right choices is never easy.

My thoughts are with you.

[Purple]

I'm so sorry.

[Miakoda]

I am so sorry for your loss. It breaks my heart to hear of stories such as this.

But you did the best thing ever for him and that was to let him go with dignity and respect and for that you have my admiration.

[scratchin dog]

So sorry for your loss. He was a beautiful boy. RIP Dexter.

[MaryC]

I am so sorry for your loss. His story brings tears to my eyes. What a difficult decision for you and your family but I admire you for your strength.

[tat2stuff]

thanks for all your kind words, they are really helping us get through this. It's been rough but it's slowly getting better. It's tough when you look over and expect to see him there and he's not. Knowing he's at peace makes it easier to deal with.

Here's a few more shots of Dexter

[Michele]

If anyone would like to light a candle and reflect:

http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/enter.cfm?l=eng

Run free Dexter. Play with all the other dogs and be happy.

[Galadriel]

Thanks Michele. One has been lit for Dexter, and I'm sure there will be many more.

[tat2stuff]

Thanks Michele, that was very thoughtful. I lit one for my boy

[MaryC]

I lit one too. I just can't get the story of Dexter out of my heart.

[panda]

RIP little Dexter. He was a good looking boy. He's running free now and will always have a place in your heart. Positive thoughts to you and your family at this time.