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. 😢

You have to be there with him and I think you'd regret it if you don't. Couldn't bear the idea of my dog having just the veterinary staff with him in his last moments. See him out of this world with love.

You don't think he'd be anxious and worried left alone with the vet in a room that smells strange, and his owner not there?

We have been there for our four dogs who’ve been PTS. We owe them that last minute or two of reassurance.

Please be there OP. It's the hardest, most upsetting thing in the world ( I've just given my 2 year old lab an extra big cuddle). Your dog will be looking for you, feeling rubbish and anxious surrounded by strangers. DO this one last kind thing for him. So so sorry. Dog give us the best days of our lives - and one of the worst.

I'm so sorry.

Yes please be there. It the last thing you can do for your lovely dog.

Does your dog mind being at the vets?

My old lab always hated being at the vet so when I went to be with her whilst she was pts, she got very agitated as soon as she saw me because she thought I'd come to take her home.😥

I'm very pleased I was with her at the end though. She'd been very ill and looked so peaceful in her last moments.

Sounds as if your dog is quite calm though so yes, I would be with him if you can. You may find you can hold it together until he's taken his final breath. X

I'm so sorry. Be there for your dog.

BE THERE!!!

He will be looking for you. Dont let him down in his final moments. He will be scared and needing reassurance and love. Take a deep breath and try to be a calm presence, it only takes seconds.

I am so sorry for you loss but please please be there for him

He needs you. You should definitely be there. Thinking of you both.

I’m sorry but you have to be there and try to hold it together as best you can , if you really don’t feel you can cope then send someone else that the dog knows really well - I do it for my sister as she just can’t but I’m really close to all her animals and they know me very well .

Yes be there
I believe that vets recommend this

Yes, be there if you can. I had to do this a couple of weeks ago. Was really, really difficult but we managed, got to say goodbye and if I can take any positive from this shit situation I know and he knew I did my absolute best by him.

Crying now and I have a vides call in ten. Wishing you lots of strength x

Please be with your dog. Its the last thing you can do for them. It’s very peaceful. I found it helpful to see all the discomfort and pain disappear from our girls. 💐and gentle 🤗

I have been through this a couple of times, it’s never easy but please be there for your dog. It will be comforting for him and it’s a very peaceful process. I am sorry though x

Has anyone had their dog pts at home? Googling shows me it's a thing that you can organise. I think my dog would much prefer that when the time comes. He haaates the vet and I'd hate for him to spend his last moments in his least favourite place.

100 times yes, do this one last thing for them, which will break your heart, but make them feel safe and loved in their final moments. Don't let them leave this world without their person.

I’m so sorry

It’s not for me to tell you how you’ll feel or react, but I can say you might surprise yourself that you’ll keep it together long enough to be the calm loving presence your dog needs. When loved ones are actually dying, it’s like the eye of the storm, a calm
place. The emotional weather comes before and after.

For animals under vet care, being put to sleep really is just like that. Don’t be afraid.

I’m sorry OP, losing a pet is awful.

Yes, you should be there. I’ve done it and it is incredibly hard, but my boy definitely looked to me for comfort so 100% worth it. Don’t let him die alone .

100% be there. We were there for ours and whilst it broke my heart, I’m so glad we were. Not sure I could live with myself knowing we’d dropped him off then just walked away and left him to face his fate alone.

Be there
I'm so sorry

He'd be even more afraid to be alone in a room with a stranger in his final moments.

Every single vet/vet nurse I've spoken to says dogs who are PTS alone look for their owners in their final moments.

It's the hardest thing you'll ever do but you owe your dog that final act of compassion and kindness, no matter how broken you feel.

I couldnt not be there no matter how difficult
Hope its peaceful

Please be there for him, you’re his comfort and his whole life.

My dog doesn't enjoy being at the vets- no.
My dog however would be very unsettled seeing me upset and I would not want to put this on him.
He knows he is adored and enjoys a happy life with me. I'd not want my last moments with him to be those of distress.
I recognize I'm in the minority and I fully understand and respect everyone's feelings but for my dog and for I, I don't think it would be in his best interests.

I am so sorry you are going through this.

it’s a very personal decision… but I would be there. I have done it twice now, and each time, it was sad but I don’t regret being there to say goodbye. My vets were lovely. It wasn’t rushed, and we got time both before and afterwards to say goodbye. I don’t think our sadness made it harder for our dogs, and we told each one they had been the best boys as they went to sleep.

Thinking of you