It's a very common event here, too. One day last winter while dropping off some Xmas gifts and treats for the doggies and kitties, I got into a conversation with one of the shelter workers. She told me that the "surrender" at shelters rate goes way up BEFORE Xmas. Seems many families, expecting holiday guests, just don't want to deal with the older dogs issues and decide to have a stress free Xmas by giving them up. My vets calls the week before Xmas the death week as many people don't want to be hassled with a sick/elderly dogs/cats during the holidays and bring in their doggies and kitties to be euthanized before their guests arrive. Well, they were going to do it soon anyway! Grrrrr