DDog needs to be PTS. How do I support my mum?

[ManonCrochan]

My mum's most beloved dog. It's time.

She is distraught. DDog is like her child. She's part of our family. She's not just a pet.

How do I support my mum through this? We've both never been through PTS before. And I have never dealt with death of a close family member before.

I’m sorry OP. I see this is your first experience with death. It will probably hit you like a train, be prepared to look after yourself. No pressure to handle it perfectly. Just be there for each other. Listen well and cry a lot when you need to. It will take time. I’m sorry about yours and your mums loss, it’s really hard x

The Blue Cross run a free pet bereavement service, which may be of help to you and your mum: www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-bereavement-and-pet-loss

Just be there for her, and try to make sure someone is there for you also.

It's horrendous, it will feel horrendous and it will feel like life will never be the same again. Just hold each other, it doesn't get easier but over time that feeling of loss gets more manageable.

It's so hard.
The grief, and guilt for making the decision will make you go over and over in your head 'could we have done something more?' and you'll cry and cry and feel ridiculous for sobbing yourself stupid and then cry more because that 'just a dog' was more beloved than any friend or relative.
You'll not be able to move the water dish, or the collar and lead and yet seeing them will bring tears again. And the silence when you walk in..no wagging tail is the worst pain ever.
But it does pass..sort of.
Just be there for your Mum, cry together, accept the horrendous loss for what it is.. the loss of the best person in the family. Anyone who has ever truly loved an animal will understand, those who don't, don't matter.
At my workplace no one is expected to come to work the day after a beloved pet is PTS... (I work in school).. we know that the loss is too much.
Just be there for each other. The pain lessens in time, but yes it's tough :(

When my Dog died in 2020, my sister made me a lovely framed collage of photographs of him. I found it very comforting and it has pride of place on my living room wall.

I’m sorry OP. It is always hard to lose a much loved pet.

I had my dog PTS at home which I would strongly recommend. She was in her own bed and not at all scared. It was very peaceful and we got as much time with her as we wanted afterwards. They also took her body away.

Receiving her ashes back was strangely comforting - it made it feel like she was home again. I still have her ashes and paw print nearly 4 years later on my mantelpiece just above where she was PTS.

Little things like cooking dinner and hugging her when she cries will help your mum. A photo collage might also be appreciated.