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. 😢

Also the vets and nurses were amazingly sensitive and kind

@Icansleep Thank you

I had two jrt. One was a rescue, had doggy dementia, and wouldn't have known or cared if I was there or not.
The other one I chose at 5 weeks old. She was my first baby. I stayed with her, she would have looked for me. She snuffled in my arms and snored herself to sleep. I would never have not stayed with her.
Different dogs, different situations.
It is a godawful thing to have to do, price of loving a good dog I guess, but it is the last good thing you will ever do for your friend.

I’ve been with each of my cats at the end, stroking them and whispering in their ear calming chatter to them and despite it being so upsetting I felt they had a really comforting last few moments and was able to hold it together until I knew they’d left me for good.

You will be glad you were with him.

I had my dog pts at home.

I still have residual guilt that I couldn’t be with my rescue dog because of Covid.

I was with my dog when she was out to sleep, I found it really hard and upsetting, a part of me didn’t want to be there it I did it for her, I wanted her to have the person she felt safe with holding her as she passed, I didn’t want her to be scared. I still have flash backs of that day (she became I’ll very quickly and within 24 hours I had to back the decision), it was probably the hardest thing I have had to do but I know me being there made her feel calmer and less scared.

Oh OP, I'll be thinking of you and your lovely boy at 2.15. Try and be brave, but if you can't be brave don't worry, he will feel all the love you have for him.

Please do be with him. Yours will be the last face he sees.

Gosh OP I'm so sorry. I teared up reading this thinking of my own boy. Sending you lots of love and strength xx

You must be there. They need you to be there. Its so scary for an animal to die alone with strangers. I've been there as all of my cats have been pts over the years. It ripped my heart out but I was there for them.

Sorry to hear that. Perhaps look at it as the last act of love you can give him is being there for him as he goes?

So sorry OP. I have a 12 year old boy and I dread this day. You're definitely doing the right thing by being with him. 💐

Stroke him, kiss him and talk to him. Tell him hes been such a good boy and you love him. Repeat repeat repeat.

Will be thinking of you

I'm so sorry to hear this OP. It's so tough x

Oh,@Shemakeslists , I am so sorry to read your update. I will be thinking of you and your boy when the time comes.

You are doing the right thing.

It will be hard afterwards, so give yourself all the time to grieve that you need and look after yourself. Know that he trusted you to do the right things for him in life and that you have not betrayed that trust. He needed you and you didn't let him down.

With love. x

Heartbroken for you OP, wishing a safe passage for you much loved pup. What a lovely life they will have had with you.

I have been through some awful things in my life. I don’t have time for regrets or what ifs and I wishes any more.

Apart from one. My little everything didn’t settle one night. I had to work and so family took my dog to the vet.

I didn’t realise that she was dying. She died as they were checking her. She didn’t come home.

I will never forgive myself for that.

I am sorry about your update but I think you are doing the best thing for your boy. Even though you know it will break your heart. Sadly it will be broken any way.

Your boy will go out swaddled in love.

My heart goes out to you and your boy 🐾 🐾

Hope he slips away peacefully, OP, with you stroking his head and telling him what a great boy he is x

I don't know whether it is an option for you OP, but our vet did a home visit to put our elderly pet to sleep.

I bawled my eyes out afterwards but I am glad I was there to say goodbye. I'd not been around for previous pets.

So sorry OP. I was there with DD as our beloved boy Harry was pts. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done and I still remember it vividly 4 years later. But I was glad he was sat between us being cuddled and told how loved he was and he was such a good boy.

Take it easy on yourself the next few weeks - we went through a full on grieving process and it was hard. But now, his ashes are with us at home along with his picture, lead and favourite ball and I swear I sense his presence in the house sometimes. We also talk about the good / funny times we had with him - he was hilarious and so so loving and excited by everyone.

Your Ddog sounds like he’s had an amazing life with you, and your presence will mean so much to him. Sending you lots of love and hugs at this time ❤️

I am so sorry 😭

Thank you again so much to you all. What a comfort you’ve been, and good advice given. I’m back, it’s done. I did what you said, held it together (just) until he was gone, got on the floor with him, stroked his ears and talked to him the whole time. Laid his head gently in his bed (his own) and left (now in floods). Sending love. God it’s hard.