Woman upset her sick dog wasn't euthanized
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SALEM, Ore. - A woman says she's suffering from "double-dog heartbreak" after discovering her sick pooch wasn't euthanized.
Natalie Hodson said her dog was alive for almost two weeks before she found out. Not only was she shocked, but she was pretty upset as she was still mourning her Pomeranian.
In fact, Hodson said she didn't realize her dog was on a "hold" while the Willamette Humane Society in Salem tried to find the original owners or that there were other options to keep the dog alive and comfortable despite the dog's health.
Mama, the 10-year-year Pomeranian, is still spunky but she does have a whole list of health issues: lung disease, bronchitis and emphysema.
"She has lumps on her belly, which we found out were tumors and growths," Hodson said.
So Hodson and her boyfriend, Jeff Nelson, who took in the stray dog about a year ago, made the tough call to put her down. But almost two weeks later there was a surprising call.
"She said, 'I wanted to let you know we found a hospice home willing to take on your dog, Mama,'" Hodson said. "I said, 'You must have the wrong chart, maybe the names mixed up. Our dog was put to sleep two weeks ago.'"
According to the Willamette Humane Society, the couple signed a contract and the rules were explained to them.
"Our preference is not to euthanize animals that can live a life," said Joan Towers, the executive director of the humane society.
According to the humane society, it tried to find the original owners who are listed on the dog's microchip but never heard back.
Meanwhile, veterinarians checked out the dog and decided other options were possible.
"We cared for the dog for the 12 days," said Towers. "We provided great medical care, comfort, medical treatment – got a great medical evaluation from our licensed shelter veterinarian and cared for the dog and offered the dog back to her."
Nelson said the humane society contacted the owners right in front of him while he was at the humane society. So he left thinking his dog would be euthanized that day. But the humane society said it couldn't get a hold of those original owners.
Now Nelson and Hodson are just focused on taking Mama to a vet on Tuesday and trying to see what they can do to keep her healthy.
Wow. So she finds a stray dog obviously doesn't try to find the owner then a year later drops it off at the humane society to be euthanized?  I doubt she ever took that poor dog to the vet otherwise she would have had her put to sleep there. Its neglectful to only provide medical care to euthanize.  Mama obviously has arthritis probably needs a dental but 10 is not that old for a pom. Her haircoat is in poor condition but I'm sure thats from diet (I did notice the Alpo) and she's a bit over weight (so is the owner) but that all could be fixed with someone who loves her. If Natalie Hodson reads this, Please find a home for  Mama and the other dog running around in the background. You either don't have the means and/or knowledge to properly care for an animal at this time or you just don't care to. Do your home work. Pets are not cheap or disposable. Quality pet food, annual veterinary visits, routine dentals, grooming and exercise are the bare minimums to keeping a pet. If that is hard or impossible for you to provide, you shouldn't have a pet. Â
To GetRealPeople...Dogs DO feel love and they also are comforted when a beloved owner holds them during their last moments on this earth. I'm very sorry you do not believe this; you are missing out on one of the most endearing kinds of love.
Natilie Hodson was here with the name Wyldelable but because of the negative reaction by the public she has changed her name to asilaydying.........Sorry to expose you but alas you doth protest to much!
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Personally, I understand exactly what they are going through. I used to have a mustang. When it was getting old, and not acting quite right, I took it to the guy who was the best in the area at caring for them. He said it just had too many problems, and really it was just time. I gave him the title, and he said heâd take care of it the right way. Low and behold, two weeks later, I see it on the road, top down, and this guy driving it like it was new!  And he said heâd sell it for scrap!!!
The criticism of this woman is well warranted....contacting the news to talk about yourself in an "oh poor me" fashion is a surefire recipe to being attacked in article comments. However, while we are critiquing people, here are a few extra mentions:
@FreerideNot - Dogs are not kids. Your confusing of the two is an all too common phenomena, likely due to a selfish desire not to "feel bad". Unless your dogs are your only companions/heirs, you are wasting your money in a strange quest of self-gratification.
@Terre08 â Your dog neither knows nor cares that you made a promise to hold his paw when he is put to sleep. After that, you will get a new dog. For several years, you will compare everything between the two, loving the second dog as much as the first. After about 5 years, you will think of the old dog on an ever-decreasing basis.Â
@Susan â You would be a handy person to have around. You know everything about this ânewsâ item from a 3 minute clip. Sure, they were being cheap by using this option, but who are you to decide how much they should pay on a DOG? Most people really should not be paying for advanced medical care for animals, they simply can not afford it. $300 goes a long ways towards food/routine shots&checkups, but not far for surgery/disease treatment.  This isnât the worst thing that people waste money on(fancy wheels, clothes, tvs, etc. to make them feel rich), but it still is a waste.
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Many more deserve special mention, but I only have so much time.
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The moral of the story isâ¦Dogs are animals. When you own a dog, you should take good care of it, for it practically loves you(not quite...pets donât know what love is) When it comes time for the dog or it gets terminal illness (or needs âDog Hospiceâ,--what a joke--) you should have it put down. Whether that means taking it out back with a .22, taking it to a vet, or taking it to the humane society, it is your call. If you go on the news b/c you chose the easy route(humane society) to complain about cheap service, be ready for people to criticize.
@GetRealPeople Well none to bright aka 1 watt.......my dogs are my kids and they are treated as members of the family.....in fact should I die and they are still alive they have life long tenancy on the property with a caretaker, then after the last dies my will dictates the disposition of the property.......Dogs know love and loyalty, think of the soldiers funeral where his dog laid at the casket, or the dog that lays on his masters grave daily and the cemetary has taken to feeding the dog....love and loyalty go hand in hand.
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Interesting...I actually know a lot more than what is on a three minute clip. Since I actually work in dog rescue, I can tell you that a dog does not forget about a special person. Maybe some do, but not all and I can cite many examples of that. I think it is responsible to provide for your pets in your will. In shelters all over the world there are dogs that are left behind by owners that died or had to go to assisted living facilities. Is it crazier to provide for your pet, YOUR responsibility, or is it crazier to take on the responsibility of pet ownership and die and end up having that pet be a burden to relatives that don't want it or dumped at a county shelter where it has little chance to find a new home? "most likely you found someone simply pretending to be." That's what trustees are for, my dear.
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@GetRealPeople "If I were to take your dogs and give them better food and scratch their head a couple times a day they would quickly forget about you" . Isn't that what happened when your parents left you and your new owner came into your life??????? Do they scratch your head and pick the lice and fleas off of you? Don't remember them do you!
 @FreerideNOTÂ
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My first post was a little confusing. It almost sounds like I think it is okay to think that dogs are people in the case of them being your only companions/heirs. Even if this is the case, you still are wasting your money in a strange quest of self-gratification. It just gives some explanation as to why you are CRAZY. Dogs are best explained by Pavlov's bell. I'll admit, It is fun to imagine otherwise, but if I were to take your dogs and give them better food and scratch their head a couple times a day they would quickly forget about you. And I hope you didn't pay anyone to draft that "will". Almost no one will actually carry it out. Unless you found someone who is even more crazy that you.
Most likely you found someone simply pretending to be.
@asilaydying I would assume you don't have any animals that is except your kids that are on state aid or in prison.
This idiot woman is the epitome is what is wrong with some pet owners. She is upset that the dog wasnt put down??? Are you kidding me? If my beloved pet had a second chance, I would be jumping for joy, NOT looking for an opportunity for my 10 seconds of fame. She and her idiot boyfriend shouldn't have been so cheap and taken the dog to the vet to be checked out before they decided to put her down. And when a loving foster home was found, they were mad? I don't get it. These people are morons, seriously....and I hope that they read my comment.
@Susan Brugato-Licari I have several dogs or should I say kids that are all from the same litter. One of them started to show signs of going down hill at 2 yrs. of age so I took him to the vet, they played me along to the tune of 2800.00, when I finally figured out what they were doing so I went to another vet who did a rather detailed exam and tests. I was told that he needed to be seen by a specialist......the specialist said he had cancer and suggested that he be put to sleep.....oh well I went to a 4th vet and got the same results. Thus I had him put to sleep, he could not walk, seldom ate or drank, I carried him, all 100lbs to the truck for his Dr. visits.....I spared no expence to try to save him, but in the end I lost. Dogs and cats trust us to care for them, not just toss them away when they don't fit into our life changes......Under NO circumstances (except my death) would I abandon any of my kids.
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@asilaydying Read your comment then go back to your homeroom teacher and ask for some help with your writing skills.
BTW: His photo is the screen saver on my computers at home and at work.
Wow...they want to put a dog down just because it's an inconvenience? Just because a dog has growths and tumors doesn't mean it's in pain or ready to die. Dogs have a completely different threshold of pain than humans; just because we'd be incapacitated by something doesn't mean the dog would be. (Humans are such sissies when it comes to pain and discomfort).
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The dog in the picture certainly doesn't look like it's ready to die, despite its ailments. Anyone who's had dogs knows they will let you know when they are ready to go.
So to save money she took the dog to the Humane Society to have it killed and now she is mad at them! So she could buy more junk food or what.? I would rather sleep in my car, eat instant noodles than to put my dog down until it is really necessary for his sake, not mine. I have also made a promise to him to hold his paw and to fill his fur with tears when it's time to go and that will at a very good vet clinic we visit for check ups and vaccinations. He is 8 and healthy but he is a big dog and I can see small signs of pains when he lays down after a long walk and tries to get up again an hour later. When he has passed I know that as long as I am of sound mind I will think of him and miss him every day for the rest of my life.
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@asilaydying I have spent thousands to save one of my dogs/kids and am prepared to do it again if needed. Is this your new name? Did you get tired of the comments about your self serving comments under your previous name.
The only issue I have with this woman is that she didn't stay with the dog until the end. I know some humane societies do not allow you to be there while they put the pet to sleep,but wait and demand to see the body,say your final goodbye,pay that final respect to the pet you loved. Many years ago I went to pet store,a ghetto pet store,and found this stunningly beautiful Siamese cat,an adult,I opened the cage,she hopped out into my arms,and I was sold,the cat was so at peace and happy with me that she sat in my arms while I drove her home,didn't need a carrier. She was my shadow for a long time,and one day she got sick,we went to the vet and found that she was MUCH older than I was told,I thought she was a few years old,she was between 15-19 years old and her teeth were bad and she had an infection,so I changed her diet and gave her the meds and things got better for a few weeks,then she developed very bad seizures,and back to the vet who tried to guilt me into costly services for a very old cat,I said no,they refused to put her to sleep,so I took her to the pound,waited in line and when it was my turn I lost it and was eventually able to tell them. They would not allow me to be there while they put her to sleep,but I waited to make sure she was gone,even though I was upset and they told me everything was OK,I needed to see my dead cat. I think to many people buy into what some of these vets tell them. Although these are domesticated animals,pets,they are still animals,some have short life spans,and you have to ask yourself,what would happen to my pet out in nature? Your sick pet would die. To each their own,but I think it's selfish and wasteful to put your pet through all that trauma. Millions upon millions of healthy,young pets are put to death each year because nobody wants them,so accept that our pets get old,get sick and die,and stop with all these "heroic" life prolonging measures. If your beloved pet has had a wonderful life,don't ruin it because your selfish. Stop and think,what would happen if it was wild. This dog has reached the end,it's 10,and yes some of this type may live longer,much longer,but the dog has serious health issues that left untreated would kill it. I think she did the right thing,she consulted a vet,found the health issues were not going to go away with treatment,and she made the compassionate decision to have the dog humanely put to sleep. People should be outraged that this "humane society" one of thousands that kill young,healthy unwanted pets each year,took it upon itself to go against the owners wishes,and waste time and money on a old sick dog. Worried about a dog who had 10 years,but will gas a puppy,who's never had a life outside the pound.
She did not do the right thing. She did not consult a vet at all! The only reason the dog saw the vet is because she surrendered the dog to the Humane Society. The dog still has a good quality of life. Ten is NOT old for a Pom. This dog is NOT suffering and if she hadn't been such a tightwad, she could have gotten the dog the medical care she needed to be just fine. I take in foster dogs all the time and we always evaluate the quality of their lives. It is not selfishness, it is IGNORANCE and LACK OF COMMITTMENT by some pet owners to do such things. She should be HAPPY that her dog has a second chance, not mad!!!!
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 @Eric B. Larson I've always been there to hold the head of my dogs when it's time. If the vet were to say no, I'd find a different vet. It's all part of being a pet parent. Once you take them in, it's till the end.
In my experience with the Salem HS, they are some of the most caring and compassionate professionals you'll ever meet. If they didn't euthanize the dog, there's a reason for it. Killing an animal, even if it's sick, is a last resort. There's also the 'stray dog' component. If the animal had an ID microchip, or the HS had a lost pet report on file that matched the dog, they are bound by internal regulations to attempt to contact the owner. Doesn't matter if it's been 2 hours, or 2 years.Â
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One vet made a decision that it would be best to euthanize the dog, another one disagreed and the HSWV opted for life. How is that a 'bad' thing? I'm not sure really what the point is of this 'news' story. There were options beyond euthanasia, and now the adoptive owners have their dog back, and are (apparently) planning to keep it alive. I would think a story celebrating the fact that the HSWV made the efforts to not euthanize the dog would be more appropriate.
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@MarkKpic I don't get what the point of this news story was either, than it probably has to do with the fact that these idiots paid a surrender fee and the HS didn't use the surrender fee to put the dog down but instead found a good foster home for the dog and gave the dog medical care. I think Miss Piggy and her dumb boyfriend just want their 10 seconds of fame. They should go on Jerry Springer instead because that's where they belong.
Apparently the humane society doesn't let you go back to be with your animals when they are euthanized. I don't care if my cat or dog is suffering, suffocating, bleeding...you can bet your sweet a$$ I'm not putting my baby down unless I am THERE to hold it. I don't really feel bad for this lady. I feel bad for the dog that she just handed it off and was okay with it.
Don't most people take their dogs that they love to a vet and sit with their pet while it goes to "sleep", shame on you for taking it to a loud shelter where it would suffer without you being there to comfort her! I don't feel for you as much as I do your dog.
What a itch-bay! She has the nerve to contact the media to complain that the Humane Society decided her dog didn't need to be killed like she wanted, and it wasn't even her dog to begin with? WTF? And it wasn't even their dog to begin with? She found it as a stray and apparently never bothered to see if the dog had a microchip. Perhaps the original owner could have been found last year when she found the dog. She doesn't deserve this sweet little dog, and the dog certainly deserves a better owner. The only thing the Humane Society did wrong was to give the dog back to her. Why did KATU even agree to print her story, I don't get this at all. And she's expecting people to sympathize with her?
 @QuandoQuandoQuando Itchbay! Love the pig latin! Thanks for the laugh!
the dog gods intervened, howleyuah!
This story made me sick to my stomache when I heard it, clearly this dog deserved a family that was willing to take care of it in it's senior years and not dump it off to be handled when it's care became too much. If you take on a stray-you are commiting to that animal. If you can't handle the commitment, then don't do it. This woman should never, ever be allowed to have another animal.
Why does this woman have the dog back? Seriously? They should have put her up for adoption so she could live out her golden years with someone who wouldn't ditch them at the Humane Society to be euthanized and NOT even stay with them in their lats moments! Makes me sick. I wish I could have this dog...
All I can really say is, I would walk to the end of this world for my dog. If that meant spending thousands of dollars on an operation I would. Why? Because my dog is family and you do that for family. Sorry but she should give the dog to a new owner imho if someone else is willing to take care of her dog and she doesn't want the trouble that comes with it.
@Newsin It's strange you should say that - because I completely agree. When I first got an animal, my husband and I decided that if anything might happen to it, we would put him down. Now that we have grown together, I can't imagine not starving for a week just to pay for my baby. I agree that she should give it to somebody who isn't "troubled" by the dog's tumors.
 @Sarbar  @Newsin I gave away an 8 year old dog ten years ago. I got a call, the old woman who ended up with him had a stroke and couldn't care for him, but he had tumors and cancer. The vet had told her three months at most. I took him back, reluctantly, but thinking it would be temporary and I'd have to put him down soon.Â
18 months later, he's half-blind and seems deaf like most 20 year old dogs, but seems healthy enough. Clearly, one veterinarian's opinion isn't any better than one doctor's.
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 @xilef regnu You are disgusting.
Just another couple who doesn't understand the responsibility of pet ownership. And then KATU acts as a shill for these people by creating a "news item" out of the act of irresponsible people. Shame on Hodson and Nelson and shame on KATU.
 @I812 If it weren't for KATU we wouldn't know how GREAT the Humane Society is for not euthanizing pets.
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@Tom dogboy Collins Tom, Not sure if you are reading the same story. It says nothing about fianances. Sounded like it was the vet's call to put the dog down and they felt it was best. You really should get the facts straight before you comment.
@miss not so....they never took the dog to the vet. I think we can safely assume they were tightwads. The dog was not seen by the vet until they surrendered the dog to the Humane Society. The HS vet determined that it was NOT appropriate to put the dog down. Now these people have their dog back, getting the vet care for free and are out of pocket NOTHING yet complaining that their dog is alive. They are ridiculous and I will not tolerate anyone defending them.
No, the story doesn't say anything about finances. However, the owner's quote implies that this pup was taken to a personal vet where it was determined "She has lumps on her belly, which we found out were tumors and growths". How did she find out they were tumors and growths? Through a seperate vet or a convenient personal diagnosis? Assuming the diagnosing vet recommened euthanasia, there is no mention of a second opinion. And even if one wasn't  sought, if they 'loved' the dog this much, why did they not have euthanasia performed by the recommending vet? Instead, they DUMPED the dog at WHS, signed an owner surrender form, and walked away. No confirmation, no comfort for the dog at her end of life, they just dropped her off and walked away. Probably because shelter euthanasia, though cold and cruel, is so much cheaper than a regular vet?Don't see the reason for their outrage now, they didn't care enough to see their dog through to the end of her life, even assuming Mama had a terminal diagnosis. She didn't though, thanks to the diagnostic services of WHS, so these Jerry Springer canidates are now contacting the media looking for their payout and feigning outrage.  Horrifically sad that this dog is back in their hands and they are NOW claiming to be seeking treatment options. They didn't seem too keen on them 2 weeks ago. Shame on them. Sad for the dog, she deserves so much better.
nice!
I would never have left a pet alone to die! I don't care if she belonged to someone else, as soon as you took her in she became yours. Abandoned twice. Very sad, shame on you! And you shouldn't get her back.
@Pvpbw They did get the dog back and if you watched the same video, the dog looked happy to be with the family again.
 @miss   That's because the dog doesn't understand she was sent to the chambers by her "family"
What is hilarious is to see all of the comments and drama about this story! I don't understand why they expected the humane society (read that HUMANE) to kill their dog for them. Is the human society some kind of animal death shelter or something? I mean they do kill pets that are not adopted, right? I don't think its appropriate to think of them as some kind of aushwitz for animals where you're like "here is my dog, we think it should be put down cuz its suffering, see you later." Obviously the dog is not suffering as much as they think...it can live a bit longer!
She said the vet AT the Humane Society told them to put the dog down. Not sure if it is true or not, but not everyone knows the in's and out's of every politically correct proceedure when it comes to caring for a pet. Was this their first experience?? First pet?? Maybe several people suggested the Humane Society.... we do not know. Â
I would never allow my pet to die alone either!! I happen to be animal freak, I love animals too much almost, way more than human life, thats for sure!!.
IMHO we were not there, so all these harsh words are just darn mean and not necessary.Â
God Bless our precious pets.
 @MrAchilles The article does not say that the vet at WHS made the call for euthanasia, it only says that the dog was found to have tumors and growths, so they made the 'tough call'. Clarification would be good here, I suspect that the vet that they claim made the 'call' wasn't employed by WHS.
You prefer the dog die? What is wrong with these people?Â
 @momo Careful....you'll be labeled a troll by "these people" who apparently are monitoring these comments.
@deejm2112 @momo  And don't you find it odd that they are???? I mean really! Had I done this stupid thing, I wouldn't want to be on here reading what everyone is saying. They must be feeling guilty about something. Story is just too convoluted...hard to figure what's true or not. Surprising they now have a vet that says there are options for the little girl. At least that's what I read earlier.
Oh Bull people, there's a couple of issues at work here. 1) old pet, possible financial considerations on a formerly abandoned older pet/quality of life 2) They are cowards for dropping the dog off to be euthanized and not staying there for the process.
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I had a 19 yr old cat, lost it's teeth, having a lot of issues, and it was time. I saw 2 vets. Vet 1- younger guy, says "Hey, with lots of medication we can keep the pet alive for a while" (why...) Vet 2- Older guy, says "Sure, I think that's a good decision", I set the appointment with vet #2 and I stayed there until it was over, I couldn't just drop him off and walk away.
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The humane society was wrong to do something different than the caretakers wishes but the owners should have taken different actions and and not just drop the dog off and leave.
 @deejm2112 You can NOT have a dog euthanized at/by a vet "just because". I bet their vet refused and that is why they took it to the HS.  The Humane Society was NOT wrong to do what they did. Why does this woman care that someone wanted to care for the dog she didn't want? She just wants someone to pay the bills!
I agree with you!    I just think these people were lead by ignorance and inexperience.Â
I feel horrible for the dog as well, but lets not throw stones so quickly... they did what they knew to do. Â
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@wyldelabel Seems that the wrong being was taken in to be euthanzed. Your 1 minute of infamous fame is over.....Just love your self serving comments.
@wyldelabel I can't believe you wouldn't demand to get your dog back and go somewhere else. It really is shocking.
 @wyldelabel  @deejm2112 Next time take the dog to a vet and pay to have it put to sleep, if that's what you choose to do. Also, read the paperwork that you sign, always. Better yet, don't have any animals, you don't deserve the unconditional love they give.
 @wyldelabel  @deejm2112 Then you should have gone to a private vet, I would NEVER drop MY pet off at a place to be put down if I couldn't be there...coward.
 @wyldelabel  @deejm2112 Why did you even take this story to KATU? Apparently you were expecting evryone to sympathize with your story of "double-dog heartbreak." You are a heartless idiot.
 @wyldelabel  @deejm2112 BTW...going to the news with your "story" and then monitoring the comments section to defend yourself is really bad idea.
 @wyldelabel  @deejm2112 Stating the truth is not trolling, I have standards in life, obviously different than yours.