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. 😢

So sorry

We’ll done for staying. It’s so hard

💐

Much love @Shemakeslists hardest but kindest thing ❤️

🌻 surrounded by love in life and death. The greatest gift we can give our companions.

May your tears always be interrupted by golden and happy memories. 🌻

Thinking of you OP.

Well done op. You will feel SO much better about having done that and being so brave for him. It's a great honour I think to be with an animal - or person - at the end x

Oh OP I’ve been where you are. What a lucky boy to have had you.

In the days to come, something that really helped me make sense of how hard the loss hits is this quote: ‘we let people into our company, but pets into our solitude’.

I promise it gets easier. Surround yourself with dog people. And be kind to yourself - it’s a real and huge loss x

Sending you love, OP.

‘we let people into our company, but pets into our solitude’

Oh how true. I’ve never heard that before. It resonates deeply.
(Having a little weep here, for all the missed ones and for my future self saying goodbye too.)

It does @NoSquirrels - really helped me get why the house was so empty. You have a thousand exchanges a day with a dog - they’re always there.

and I tear up every time I read or hear about a dog going, and look at my now 2yr old and simply can’t imagine it. But I honour my old boy every day in my interactions with her. Their only fault - they just don’t live long enough.

That's so sad, I think you did the right thing being there although I can only imagine how hard it was for you
He'll know how loved he was right up to the end xx

In tears for you @Shemakeslists 💐

Dreading the day I have to say goodbye to DDog. Burst into tears at the vets the other day when they told me he had a heart condition (mind DDog is oblivious and still as bouncy as ever)

Awwww thank you again everyone. You’ve helped immeasurably. Sitting in tears in a supermarket car park as don’t want to go home! But I know I’m far from alone. Xx

Oh that was a beautiful way to say good bye. Good on you! We know that was hard, but you were there for him.

Oh you poor love. It's so hard now, but in the future you will be comfortable with having done right by him.
He'll be waiting for you at the rainbow bridge. ❤

Oh I'm so sorry for your loss, I'm sure your beautiful boy was glad you were by his side. Be gentle on yourself OP.

My old boy’s ashes are by my bed and I touch him every morning.

You need to be there for him. It's not nice but you owe it to him.

Hope you’re ok today OP 💐

Sending love OP, so glad you were able to be with him. He'll have felt your love whilst he slipped away xx

Thank you for checking in with me this morning@Matterti and@BlueShoesKate - I didn’t expect that and it’s so kind of you to think of me. I’m ok but v sad and gradually gathering up all his stuff - he was such a part of life and his beds etc are everywhere, in all his favourite vantage points and sunny spots. It also brings back memories of humans I’ve lost who also loved him, and the pain of losing them is washing over me in a raw way that I hoped had passed. But that’s grief for you. Sending you all love and hugs. Xx

Be there, your dog deserves comfort from a familiar person when it happens. It's the last thing you'll do for him.

Op, sorry I missed that it had happened

Oh gosh OP I feel for you, we lost our first boy nearly 8 years ago but always kept his food bowl and we still have a photo up, his ashes sit in our bedroom and we still talk about him..... just take each day as it comes 💐😥

Can you take someone with you? When my mum's dog needed to be pts - it was very sudden and a huge shock - she called me so I could be there too. My mum was very upset but even though the dog was wobbly from the drugs, I am 100% certain her dog took huge comfort in us being there, talking to her gently and stroking her. She looked into our eyes then closed them very softy and passed. The vet and nurse were absolutely lovely and let us spend time in the room afterwards with the dog. I think it was very important emotionally for my mum to be able to go through that process of saying goodbye and witnessing a very gentle end. We had just lost my dad so it was doubly hard.