Being present when your pet is PTS
Discussion
I think you should be there to offer comfort and support. This is a pet that's sat on your lap and purred with you which is completely different to a wild animal with no human connections. This animal gave you pleasure.
I nearly had my dog put down 2 days ago but he flipping perked up so we spared him :-) He relapsed last night and I'm at the vets in the morning. If he's not improved over night then the awful deed will be done and I will be with him to send him off. I'm sure he'd sit at my side if somebody shot me or fatally harmed me. He'd lick my wounds.
BTW my dogs a 17.5 year old border collie. He's had a nice dinner tonight and had a good innings.
ETA, wow 20 years, that's a good age. I guess it's up to you, the cat won't miss you but you may feel better in the long term if you were there. The vets can arrange a quiet time and even do it in the back of your car if you wish to avoid seeing the other 'customers'.
I nearly had my dog put down 2 days ago but he flipping perked up so we spared him :-) He relapsed last night and I'm at the vets in the morning. If he's not improved over night then the awful deed will be done and I will be with him to send him off. I'm sure he'd sit at my side if somebody shot me or fatally harmed me. He'd lick my wounds.
BTW my dogs a 17.5 year old border collie. He's had a nice dinner tonight and had a good innings.
ETA, wow 20 years, that's a good age. I guess it's up to you, the cat won't miss you but you may feel better in the long term if you were there. The vets can arrange a quiet time and even do it in the back of your car if you wish to avoid seeing the other 'customers'.
Edited by Boosted LS1 on Wednesday 10th May 20:35
Hainey said:
I've always been there. I hold their paw as it happens and you can feel the moment instantly.
My dog had blood tests a while ago except they couldn't take blood because he was to stressed. I laid him on the floor and held his paw. He was completely calm and didn't even flinch. Pets take comfort from their owners in unusual circumstances.Boosted LS1 said:
I think you should be there to offer comfort and support. This is a pet that's sat on your lap and purred with you which is completely different to a wild animal with no human connections. This animal gave you pleasure.
I nearly had my dog put down 2 days ago but he flipping perked up so we spared him :-) He relapsed last night and I'm at the vets in the morning. If he's not improved over night then the awful deed will be done and I will be with him to send him off. I'm sure he'd sit at my side if somebody shot me or fatally harmed me. He'd lick my wounds.
BTW my dogs a 17.5 year old border collie. He's had a nice dinner tonight and had a good innings.
ETA, wow 20 years, that's a good age. I guess it's up to you, the cat won't miss you but you may feel better in the long term if you were there. The vets can arrange a quiet time and even do it in the back of your car if you wish to avoid seeing the other 'customers'.
Our border collie was about 16 when she went. yours is doing well at 17.5I nearly had my dog put down 2 days ago but he flipping perked up so we spared him :-) He relapsed last night and I'm at the vets in the morning. If he's not improved over night then the awful deed will be done and I will be with him to send him off. I'm sure he'd sit at my side if somebody shot me or fatally harmed me. He'd lick my wounds.
BTW my dogs a 17.5 year old border collie. He's had a nice dinner tonight and had a good innings.
ETA, wow 20 years, that's a good age. I guess it's up to you, the cat won't miss you but you may feel better in the long term if you were there. The vets can arrange a quiet time and even do it in the back of your car if you wish to avoid seeing the other 'customers'.
Edited by Boosted LS1 on Wednesday 10th May 20:35
Good luck tomorrow
Yeah, definitely be there. My mum had a somewhat traumatic time with one of her previous collies who whined as the drugs took effect, but I'm given to understand it's fairly rare.
I had to take my friend's dear little house rabbit to be PTS a few weeks ago, really sad. She became really stressed at first but luckily the vets let me have a seat, as soon as she was in the lap she was calm and compliant and didn't flinch at the injection at all.
I had to take my friend's dear little house rabbit to be PTS a few weeks ago, really sad. She became really stressed at first but luckily the vets let me have a seat, as soon as she was in the lap she was calm and compliant and didn't flinch at the injection at all.
garythesign said:
Boosted LS1 said:
I think you should be there to offer comfort and support. This is a pet that's sat on your lap and purred with you which is completely different to a wild animal with no human connections. This animal gave you pleasure.
I nearly had my dog put down 2 days ago but he flipping perked up so we spared him :-) He relapsed last night and I'm at the vets in the morning. If he's not improved over night then the awful deed will be done and I will be with him to send him off. I'm sure he'd sit at my side if somebody shot me or fatally harmed me. He'd lick my wounds.
BTW my dogs a 17.5 year old border collie. He's had a nice dinner tonight and had a good innings.
ETA, wow 20 years, that's a good age. I guess it's up to you, the cat won't miss you but you may feel better in the long term if you were there. The vets can arrange a quiet time and even do it in the back of your car if you wish to avoid seeing the other 'customers'.
Our border collie was about 16 when she went. yours is doing well at 17.5I nearly had my dog put down 2 days ago but he flipping perked up so we spared him :-) He relapsed last night and I'm at the vets in the morning. If he's not improved over night then the awful deed will be done and I will be with him to send him off. I'm sure he'd sit at my side if somebody shot me or fatally harmed me. He'd lick my wounds.
BTW my dogs a 17.5 year old border collie. He's had a nice dinner tonight and had a good innings.
ETA, wow 20 years, that's a good age. I guess it's up to you, the cat won't miss you but you may feel better in the long term if you were there. The vets can arrange a quiet time and even do it in the back of your car if you wish to avoid seeing the other 'customers'.
Edited by Boosted LS1 on Wednesday 10th May 20:35
Good luck tomorrow
DocJock said:
Mobile Chicane said:
For heaven's sake have it done at home rather than take your pet to a Place of Execution.
Totally agree with this.My last two dogs got stressed just visiting the surgery for a check up.
Hurts like hell but puss did not know what was going on and still purring when we picked up. Four times now. But they were not stressed out.
DocJock said:
Mobile Chicane said:
For heaven's sake have it done at home rather than take your pet to a Place of Execution.
Totally agree with this.My last two dogs got stressed just visiting the surgery for a check up.
For the OP. It is of course an individual decision but I really think if you can, you should be there. Not everyone can face being there at the end but that does not make you a bad person and your furry friend will be comforted by the vet and nurses.
20yrs is a fantastic age but it doesn't make this any easier.
I've owned many dogs over the years and to be honest I have selfishly left them alone with the vet. I just could not face it at all. BUT the last two I did. It was very, very hard with my last one as he was the last link to my past and he was also the most sweetest loving dog I've ever owned. But the vet gave him some pre-injection stuff and he just laid there snoring his head off. He looked so happy and at peace.
Two years and I still miss him.
Two years and I still miss him.
Twig62 said:
I have always been present when my pets have been PTS. Its hard and I usually only just make it back to the car before bawling my eyes out but I could never leave them with strangers at the end of their lives if I could possibly help it.
Never made it to the car. In fact, was bawling whilst the vet clipped the hairs away to find a vein.It is the worst experience in the world, but one you have to go through if you own pets that become family members.
Turn7 said:
Was there for both my last two dogs.
Yes, it is truly heartbreaking, but how can you desert them in their last moments.
Agreed. We lost our spaniel about 6wks ago & it was really bloody hard, made the kids wait outside & my OH decided to be there too. Yes, it is truly heartbreaking, but how can you desert them in their last moments.
He was taken elsewhere to have canula inserted then brought back to administer the injection.
Christ, didn't realise how dusty it was in here...
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