Dog being pts - be there or not? Urgent.

[Shemakeslists]

I love my dog with all my heart. He’s very old. Getting more and more wobbly. Currently at the vet’s. Was settled and calm/sleepy when I left him, in his old bed. The vet says if he doesn’t rally and they think he’s v I’ll, they will recommend euthanising him TODAY. This is obviously v sad and distressing for me but I’ll do what’s best for my dog, as I always have. My question is - if this is the decision - should I be there as it happens? I ask because I know I’ll be upset and I know he’ll know I’m upset. Will that really help him? If he was having an op and they gave him anaesthetic, I wouldn’t be there. To reiterate - this isn’t about big old me, it’s about my lovely old dog.

Kind and helpful thoughts much appreciated. Urgent.

Thank you. 😢

I would want to be there personally, because you might regret it later.

some vets say in the final moments of the dogs life they look for their owner. Please please please be with him, I’m sorry.

I would definitely be there. I have been through this several times over the years and I know it's hard, but I also know that if I were your dog, I would want my loved ones with me.

I would be there for him, it’s the last act of kindness you can do for him and when he will need you the most, I can’t imagine not being there for my girl if that time comes!

so sorry your going through this, you have my deepest condolences, losing my last dog was harder than losing some relatives and I’m dreading going through it again

be brave for him , he needs you

xx

Sorry, OP.
Yes, I think you should be there. It will be a comfort to him. I hope you get good news from the vet.💐

So sorry to hear this - but be there for him and you. Hugs 💐

Yes be there. My vets had a lovely room with huge cushions and I laid down with her while she went to sleep just like we did every night.

Be there. It's the last loving thing you can do for your old boy.
We've just been through this. I won't lie. It's incredibly difficult and absolutely heartbreaking but you won't regret it.
Just be there to tell him how loved he is, and cuddle him as he drifts off.
You can hold back the tears until he's gone. I know it sounds nuts but it's easier to do that than you think.

A big unmumsnetter hug from me xx

Your presence will reassure him.

It's the last thing you can do for him.

I very much hope your boy improves. But if he doesn’t then you should be there 💐

With much kindness, I think if you are going to be visibly distressed then it's best not to be there.
I'd not want my beloved dog anxious and worried in his last moments.

So sorry you’re going through this. Sending love and thoughts. My tuppence worth from knowing people that have been through it is that they were glad they decided to be there because they were certain that their dog knew.

I would be there too. I have been, and it broke my heart, but my dog was very bonded to me and I am glad he knew I was with him.
So sorry OP.

You poor thing. Yes please be there for him, it’s the kindest thing to do

He will know you are there and it will help him. It's not for you, it's for him. Go, and comfort him, say goodbye and tell him how much you love him.

I know the regret of not being there at the end, and I also know the peace of being there to say goodbye. I would never leave a pet to die without me if I could be there. Please go.

I had this a couple of months ago, but yes please be with him if you can. Sending hugs

I would be there to reassure him.

The thought of not being there with them at the end fills me with dread to think they didn't have someone they trusted with them at the end.

Having gone through this with my beloved cat a couple of years ago, I would advise you to go and be with your boy. It is heartbreaking but it's a very peaceful process and over quickly. He will be calmed by your presence, you can stroke him and talk to him quietly and as upsetting as it is, I would have regretted leaving my lovely girl without her family in her last moments. I'm so sorry you're having to go through this. As I tell my DD, the pain we feel when losing our pets is the price we pay for all of the love we received from them during their lives. Be brave, as difficult as it is. Sending love at this sad time x

I think you should be there. I didn't want to when my old girl was pts but I'm so glad I did she was a lhasa so she was small enough to hold while she went. I told her I loved her very much and I'd see her again one day the vet let us take as long as we wanted with her we were outside because of lockdown and it was just so peaceful. I got her ashes back a week later. Sending hugs to you.

Please go and be with him. Xx

Please be there for him.

www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/vets-pet-put-down-final-moments-reality-twitter-facebook-euthanasia-a8532926.html

I meant to also say, I am sorry you have to go through this.
Take some deep breaths and remember how much you love him and how much you shared. And go to say goodbye.

When my dog was PTS I sat on the floor with him. He seemed to know what was coming and was at peace. He laid his head on my lap and I stroked him as the injection went in. I could feel the moment he died and wasn't there anymore. It was sad but I managed not to cry until after. I would definitely do it again.

I had to have my cat PTS in lockdown and couldn't be there so he was alone. That was horrible and I'm sad that he died with a stranger.

If think you would both benefit from spending his final moments together. I'm sorry for your loss

I wouldn’t be there. He might be all sleepy when they do it, would you’re arrival make him more alert/aware? If you’re upset, will it distress him?

My husband was with our dog when they put her down. He says it was horrendous, it was years ago and he still can’t talk about it.

That sounds beautiful