No, I am not a dog killer. You won’t hear about me on the news or on an animal cruelty website. But, I did kill my dog… or rather, I had my dog killed. Here’s my story.

Years ago I wrote the following on a piece of paper:

Why did I write out my dog’s favorite things? It’s because someone once told me the best way to know when it’s your dog’s time is when they can’t do their three favorite things anymore. Charlie was very old and he no longer enjoyed playing ball. He used to beg for cookies at every chance but now he no longer had any interest. The long evening walks he so adored taking were impossible for his joints to endure.

He looked in pain all the time and without any joy in his life, I knew it was time to have him put to sleep.

Do I regret not waiting and letting mother nature take her course? I do not. Was it an awful decision that I wish I never had to make? Absolutely. However, I did the right thing. Like so many dog owners before me have done. I gave him a happy life, and gave him a happy exit from it, too.

So that’s my story: I killed my dog and I do not regret it.