Putting dog to sleep - advice please

[TheWendInTheWillows]

We have two old dogs, they’re brothers, I’ll call them Bill and Ben. Bill is in poor health and we’re having to think about putting him to sleep. We’ve found a vet who will come to the house, which is a huge relief - he hates going to the surgery and gets so stressed and I’d hate that to be the last feeling he has.

But we’re really stuck about what to do with Ben. I don’t think he needs to be in the room while Bill is being put to sleep but do we let him see Bill’s body afterwards, so that he knows, however much dogs can know, that Bill is no longer there. Or do we remove Bill’s body without Ben seeing him and just carry on without Bill there.

I know I’m anthropomorphising and I’m trying to stay away from human concepts like closure and grief but the dogs are littermates so have never known any life without each other and I’d just like to handle this is best I can so any advice would be much appreciated
Many thanks

so, my AIBU:

yabu: do not show Ben Bill’s body
yanbu: let Ben spend a little time with Bill afterward

My old terrier had several fits in the fortnight before he died. My husband's husky adored him and was very distressed by the fits, refusing to come into the room and being unwilling to pass him. He also avoided licking the terrier's bowl like he used to do.

Then one morning the fits got worse and we realised it was time for him to go. We made the decision to take him to the vet. The husky came into the room, sniffed him and let out the most horrendous cry, halfway between a howl and a scream. His tail went between his legs and he ran out of the room and stood shaking as we got ready to leave - grabbing a blanket to wrap the terrier and putting our shoes on. By the time we reached the vet five minutes away he was dead - most likely had died in my arms before we left the house.

It was so clear that the husky knew that his best mate was dying. He was reluctant to enter the living room for a week or so even though we did all we could to comfort him and encourage him to join us.

My dog’s brother did not care, he was more excited to see new people in the house.

I’m sorry you’re going through this, it’s the worst part of having animals, bloody heartbreaking.

Not the same I know, but when I had to have my rabbit PTS we were advised to let the remaining rabbits smell her and see her to prevent their stress and trauma.
The eldest still sits on the spot we buried her, when we give the eldest treats it's where she runs to with them.

I’m so sorry.

My dog was pts 2 years ago. My younger dog is nervous and used to howl if he went anywhere without her. He was pts in the vets and we brought her in to see his body. She knew and was very quiet for weeks but no howling and looking for him.

She slept in my bed and we took her on holiday and eventually got her a little brother.

Gosh, so many moving stories here, thank you all so much for sharing your experiences. So much sadness but so much love from our wonderful girls and boys. Dogs, cats, rabbits, horses - they’re all much loved family
Thanks to your advice we’ve agreed to let Ben see Bill when it’s all over, thank you all again

I recall seeing a program about a zoo/safari park, and one of the resident wolves was PTS. The staff took his body for all the other wolves to sniff and accept.

Years ago, my grandad had one of his dogs PTS, and the his other dogs saw it all happen and got very distressed. It seems they knew something bad was going on. His last dog acted the same when my grandad had a catastrophic stroke in front of him too.

I hope Bill has a safe journey

My other dog was in the room, I think it was the right decision.

The other dog sat next to my husband whilst I was on the floor next to dying dog, stoking him. When the dog had gone the other dog came over. I think he knew his best mate was dying and it was time to say goodbye.

It was obviously a sad time but very peaceful and I’m glad we were all there to say our goodbyes and show our love in those final moments.

Absolutely have them there, or at least let your other dog visit when he has died. We did with our two, but the younger has been very clingy since. Sending love and kind wishes. It isn’t easy but it’s the price you pay for loving x