When the time comes, be brave and stay with your pet- they need you there

Emma, whom we adopted aged 12 and had to pts a few months back, aged 15.5- was always very comfortable with going to vets. Due to Covid, the vet could not cross the border so we had to go there, and she was fine and the new vet (young Canadian woman) was wonderful and did it in 2 goes, first calming drug, then final. She was so so lovely and all the staff there too.

As we adopt older cats and dogs, or they adopt us, like Minou 3 legs now 5 years ago... we have been through the process 4 times since we moved here, Gadsby, Pudding, Slinky, Emma - Minou is going strong, about 6 years old, we will never know.

her, OR by pm.

I am not attacking you Kali2, I have never ever sent you an email. Just to be clear, I was doubting the 90% figure in your OP.
I have been with all my 6 dogs and 5 cats when they were pts. I am distraught that due to covid I couldn't with the last dog and 2 cats. I hope they still loved me.

My first ginger cat was pts with my DF there as I was only 12. Another ginger was run over so couldnt be with him either. Have always been with all my Furries & my dogs too when we had too let them go! Many tears for all of them & could not let them go without holding them. 9 cats, 4 dogs with them all at their end! Except the first two! Cannot understand anyone letting their pets go alone, very sad!

I just lost my old lady, Stella on Saturday morning. She was at least 20 possibly 22-23. She hadn't been great all week and I knew the time was coming . Overnight on Friday she became very lethargic and wobbly on her feet, I stayed with her in the living room , dozing in the chair and talking to her till 6am then I went to bed till 8am and when I got up and said hello to her she wasn't very responsive at all. I picked her up and wrapped her in a fleece and cuddled her in my arms. I called my friend to take us to the vet but when she didn't arrive very quickly I called my neighbour (who Stella loved and she loved Stella too) We were just discussing going to the vet when Stelli started to spasm a little and finally gave a sigh and passed away. I knew the vet wouldn't have been able to help her but didn't want her to suffer but I am kind of glad that I didn't have to cart her off to the vet and disturb her and that she passed away in my arms.
I'm missing her but I hope the last years of her life were happy, I think they were. I got her in January 2019 and I was told then she was between 18 and 20. My only regret is that I didn't know her longer. It's so important to be there if you can.

Definitely they should go at home where they are relaxed and with those they love and love them. We always do that, and it is possibly on the cards we shall have to make that difficult decision again by next year. I cannot understand anyone leaving a loved animal at the time they need you the most. We have had to make this decision so many times over the years, it’s heartbreaking for you but you must put your feelings aside and think of your dear pet.

I wish I hadn't read this. Our first cat, 18 years old, was put down in 2019, we were there. It was so quick and easy that when her sister had to be put down this year I thought I could imagine how it would go and she would be fine. Because of Covid we weren't allowed to be with her. So now I feel awful.

Some years ago my husband and I had to take our dearly loved Red Setter to be PTS. Husband was devastated because they'd been inseparable. I'd help it together until they shaved her paw, and my husband kissed her and said "goodbye old friend". When it was over we both sat in the car and sobbed. I couldn't even imagine just leaving one of our beloved pets at the vets without our love and support at the end of their lives.

Sorry I am in tears just reading this. I will never forget this post.

Many moons ago I used to work evenings and weekends in a veterinary practice, on behalf of the RSPCA. I remember that the vast majority carried their beloved pet into the surgery, stayed with them until the end and then took their pet home. We were completely used to, and totally empathised, with their grief because we knew that it's never an easy decision to make.
I can only recall a couple of pet owners who decided against staying with their pet and that was because, in both cases, they were too utterly distraught to do so. We didn't judge them for being uncaring or callous because we'd seen them come into the surgery week after week, month after month, paying far more than they could comfortably afford trying to get their pet well again.

Please don't judge those who, for whatever reason, weren't able to stay with their pet; it doesn't mean that they didn't love them just as much as you love yours.

Friends of hours flew back early from their holiday abroad to be with their dying pet dog. The vet kept it alive until they got home, it was touch and go whether they would make it. The person who had been dog sitting was in pieces as it was so unexpected.

The last two dogs I lost were put to sleep at home in their favourite place, with my arms around them. I actually think (despite so many owners avoiding it), being together for that peaceful death is not only better for the animal, but also for the owner.

I held my beautiful Pixie when she was euthanised at the age of 20.5 years old. Her breathing had got difficult and I knew that it was cruel for me to try and keep her going any longer. She had had diabetes for the last 9 years of her life. I used to inject her twice per day and feed her all the best food that she liked. It was hard the last week to get her to eat much but I put pet yogurt on my hand and watched as she careful licked it off. I couldn’t do anymore. I cried for days afterwards and often find myself in tears just thinking about her - that was 2 years old. I miss her so much. They leave their footprints on our hearts and they will be there forever.

She certainly would never have gone without me holding her close as she had given me all those years love - I was with her at the end. ? x

We had to get our beloved black Lab PTS last June, during lockdown, at the age of 13-and-a-half. I was distraught at the thought that we might not be able to be with him because of COVID (owners weren't allowed into vet surgeries at the time), but our vet, who we've been with for years, gave him the sedative injection in the back of our car, so he fell asleep with us holding him, then once he was totally asleep, the vet and vet nurse took him into the surgery for the final injection. It was the best compromise under the circumstances and was done with much dignity and respect.

Our beautiful dog was really poorly and sadly died in my husbands arms - we wouldn’t have had it any other way - had we have had to go to the vets we would have been with him every step of the way

babspanky Sorry for your loss. She was a pretty girl. I had a Stella too, PTS on my husband's 60th birthday

We've been with two of our dogs when they were put to sleep, and even took our other dog in to witness this as well. She died on the operating table a few years later and I was so sad that we couldn't be there for her at the end. She and I had a real bond. A lovely poem too Pammiel

Josianne

I am not attacking you Kali2, I have never ever sent you an email. Just to be clear, I was doubting the 90% figure in your OP.
I have been with all my 6 dogs and 5 cats when they were pts. I am distraught that due to covid I couldn't with the last dog and 2 cats. I hope they still loved me.

I know you weren't- no worries. Good on you.

So many sad, moving, but beautiful stories of love.

Chewbacca, this was not meant to judge, just to share one vet's- and in my past experience, most vets' - experience that it does make a difference.

I held our very old cat when the vet came to put her down. She held my eyes, and it was awful to see the light go out of them. This was years ago and I still miss her.

Sorry to hear you have been receiving nasty PMs Kali2. Dreadful behaviour. In all my years on GN.I received my first nasty pm from a particular poster a few days ago. Tiresome but I blocked her eventually.

I have stayed with all my pets. I feel it’s important to be there at the end to love them and to tell them it’s ok for them to go and I’ll see them again at the Rainbow Bridge.
When my beloved Poodie was run over in our lane my son brought her little broken body home so that I could give her a final goodbye.

I stayed with my old cat until she died and she looked into my eyes until the very end. We all cried endlessly but wouldn't have dreamt of leaving her in a strange room

For the most part this has been an empathetic thread, if a little upsetting, and, for me, sharing the stories of love and affection for our furry friends has been uplifting. But I have to say I’m surprised that some posters have taken the thread title as a personal insult and have posted quite nastily reactionary replies. Unnecessary.

I have yet to reach the end of one of mine, my heart breaks for you all, I plan to be there knowing a little part of me will die the same day ????