Only idiots believe it is the breed that is evil, when it is really man's own stupidity at work and that the breed gets the blame. Typical...
Read this story a while ago, and thought, "Now that is one well treated Jack Russel to defend those kids." George!
No dog is "born mean" or cruel, or vicious. That is a fact you can take to the bank. Dogs, much like people, learn cruelty from their environment. If you raise a beast (man included) to know only cruelty, or that to attack, or in man's case racisim, and that to behave in an aberrant manner to normal social standards is "okay", then you get what you sowed. A mean, anti-social beast.
Sure, some breeds need extra attention, or they start asserting their natural pack instincts by challenging for dominance. But it is mankinds folly for allowing things to get out of hand by not maintaining the ALPHA relationship in the first place.
Far too many people get a pet, any pet, more as a status symbol, and pay no regard to that pets special needs, if any.
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Heya Mike! Oz from the old ATARI dayze.
But back on topic: Yeah, most of the vets now use more humane over dosage methods for euthanasia.
We had to have our 14 year old Aussie, and our cat put down within a month of each other. Both had recurring cancer, and the process was as you described...
I held them each time, despite our vets stern glare and admonition that they weren't responsible for any damage I might incur should the pet start to struggle. Fortunately, both slipped quietly away in my arms, while ripping my heart out a bit with each passing.
The wife and I both feel that the dog understood, and accepted her time was up, and that she was in her own dignified way, reassuring us that it was okay by her... She'd keep the path to the rainbow bridge clear for when it was our turn to join her. (dangit, I'm getting choked up at the memory)
We had both pets cremated. Received a nice little lacquered pine box for each with a small brass name plate. Wife and I figure we'll do that for all our pets, and the first of us to pass on, leaving all the small boxes to be intered with whichever of us goes last....
For some of those reading this, I am sure I present a morbid mental image. But for the wife and I, this is a small measure of comfort, knowing we'll all remain together for eternity.