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Original poster

Putting dog to sleep but i can't think of any other way not to break the law

70 replies

LJRT · 10/02/2021 13:01

We have to put our 14.5 year old lab to sleep :( I am in a bit of a dilema though. I need childcare for the 2 young kids (7 and 4) as they can't come with me nor would I want them to.

For all this time whilst we've had covid around I've been very sure and certain to stick to the rules and not put others at risk. We unfortunately caught covid a few months back and its something i wouldn't wish on anyone, I have never wanted to include my parents or other people for childcare and put them at risk and as i am at home I can do the childcare. But now im in a situation where I cant think of any other way.
My husband works away but he wants to be there also which the vet will allow. I also definelty want to be there. So who's going to have the kids????

My parents don't want to be there when it happens so I can't ask them to take him. I've absolutely no idea it doesn't sit well with me and I do feel I'm breaking the law but I don't know what else to do and I don't want him put to sleep at home with the kids around either.

Please no nasty comments this dog has been in our family for 14.5 years its very sad times right now

OP posts:
OliveTree75 · 10/02/2021 13:05

You are allowed to use family/a friend for childcare though?

Pebbles574 · 10/02/2021 13:06

Do you have any family friends with teenager/student babysitters who could come for a couple of hours? Could they wear a mask and stay in a different room mostly/ stick the kids in front of a DVD or something?

Aren't people allowed to enter your home for work purposes e.g. my cleaner is still coming.

oneglassandpuzzled · 10/02/2021 13:07

Honestly, in this sad circumstance I think it would be fine for one of your parents to come to the house. It's only going to be for an hour or so max and as the children will be understandably upset, could count as providing care for a vulnerable person.

LST · 10/02/2021 13:08

You're allowed a childcare bubble for any reason

DollysDart · 10/02/2021 13:08

You are allowed to use family as childcare. It wouldn't be breaking the law. We recently had to have one of our dogs put to sleep and didn't think twice about leaving them with their grandma for the hour - we have been shielding so the risk from us to them was as low as it could be.

idontlikealdi · 10/02/2021 13:09

You wouldn't be breaking the law.

DavidsSchitt · 10/02/2021 13:09

You're allowed to have your parents look after the kids

murbblurb · 10/02/2021 13:09

very sad.

I believe some vets will come to you and do the honours with the dog in the back of a familiar car, so the kids can be indoors while this happens. Will that work?

crumptrump · 10/02/2021 13:10

Your parents can sit with the kids. It’s a childcare emergency and your risk of passing Covid to them is small if you have all already had Covid 4 months ago- there should still be immunity

JoanOfArc8 · 10/02/2021 13:10

I’m so very sorry you’re going through this OP Flowers

Could you ask if the vet could come to you? Ask GParents to take dc out for a walk?

Choice4567 · 10/02/2021 13:13

But you’re allowed to use people for childcare, that’s not breaking the law

LizzieSiddal · 10/02/2021 13:15

You sound like you don't really want to use your parents and I'd feel the same. Unfortunately I think only one of you or DH should go to the vets, the other one should stay with the DC.

EveryDayIsADuvetDay · 10/02/2021 13:17

so sad for you ans your dog Flowers

as others have said, child care bubbles OK - and if you/they have had covid already, lower risk of passing it on.

LST · 10/02/2021 13:18

So sorry about your dog x

EveryDayIsADuvetDay · 10/02/2021 13:19

suggestion of grandparents taking children for a walk is a good one, less risk outside.

lunapeace · 10/02/2021 13:19

So sorry you are going through this, could the vet not come to you? It's a lot stressful for them to go to sleep in their own surroundings. It costs more but money is no object sometimes. Children could state upstairs on their devices. It won't take long :(

Kitkat151 · 10/02/2021 13:20

Why would you be breaking the law....it’s childcare .... but of a non issue

MsMarch · 10/02/2021 13:25

If this was DH and I , one of us would stay home with the kids. Not because of Covid, but because the kids would also be upset so one of us would have to be with the dog and the other one would have to be with the children to comfort them.

Lubiluxe · 10/02/2021 13:26

It isnt breaking the law so don't worry if you need to use your parents.
If you genuinely don't want to use them though then I'm afraid you may have to have only one of you go with the dog. Very sorry for your loss Flowers

LimitIsUp · 10/02/2021 13:31

So very sorry.

Are you absolutely sure that even only 7 and 4 that your dc wouldn't better being there whilst your beloved dog is put to sleep. I don't know if you've witnessed it before, but whilst very sad, its a gentle, calm event. It might just help them process it a little better? However, you know your dc and its your call. As others have said, its okay to have parents care for your dc

Iremembertheelderlykoreanlady · 10/02/2021 13:34

So sorry OP Flowers

You have 2 options.

  1. Form a childcare bubble. Not illegal. Choose the least vulnerable person you know.
  1. Either you or OH doesn't go.

Neither are ideal. Really shitty time for this to happen

CarryOnPlainHunting · 10/02/2021 13:37

So sorry OP.

Would the vet come to you? I’ve had them do that in the past.

LastDuchessFerrara · 10/02/2021 13:38

So sad but glad your lab has had a full life.

I would ask the vet to come to my house. Have the kids say goodbye then go to their rooms whilst the vet PTS your dog.

It's a gentle way for young children to learn about death.

Katie1784 · 10/02/2021 13:42

Some laws are meant to be broken. The dog is a member of your family. I wouldn't give it a moment's thought.

Pipandmum · 10/02/2021 13:44

Childcare is permitted, you are not breaking any laws. My cleaner can come, and a childminder can too.

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