Being present when your pet is PTS

[anonymous-user]

[redacted]

[Turn7]

Was there for both my last two dogs.

Yes, it is truly heartbreaking, but how can you desert them in their last moments.

[Hainey]

I've always been there. I hold their paw as it happens and you can feel the moment instantly.

They are my friends and loved ones and I don't want them passing with a stranger.

[Boosted LS1]

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'.

Edited by Boosted LS1 on Wednesday 10th May 20:35

[egor110]

Do go .

You decided to have the cat for better or worse and being there at the end is the last thing you can do for your cat.

[DuraAce]

Hainey said:

They are my friends and loved ones and I don't want them passing with a stranger.

Absolutley. Wouldn't even consider leaving them alone/with strangers.

[Boosted LS1]

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.

[Mobile Chicane]

For heaven's sake have it done at home rather than take your pet to a Place of Execution.

[garythesign]

The fact that it hurts so much reflects the bond you have

Have been there for all of ours.

cried each time

Good luck

[garythesign]

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'.

Edited by Boosted LS1 on Wednesday 10th May 20:35

Our border collie was about 16 when she went. yours is doing well at 17.5

Good luck tomorrow

[carreauchompeur]

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.

[Boosted LS1]

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'.

Edited by Boosted LS1 on Wednesday 10th May 20:35

Our border collie was about 16 when she went. yours is doing well at 17.5

Good luck tomorrow

Thank you. He perked up last night and this morning is back on his feet and looking much happier. His back legs are failing and I think he had a mini stroke which makes him disoriented and he falls over. He's always recovered from the strokes, given a week or so. Anyway, today's not the day for the deed. There's some doggy smelling to do at a field near me and I'm sure he'll savour the aromas. One day at a time I guess.

[DocJock]

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.

[tankplanker]

If you leave the dog or cat always, always looks for you when you have gone. I couldn't leave my pet with strangers in their last few moments, I have always stayed.

[jmorgan]

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.

With the greatest of respect to the OP, this is what we have always done.

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.

[Twig62]

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.

[bexVN]

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.

Place of Execution is harsh . We are compassionate people who have usually gone through the heartache of losing our much loved pets and if the cat is already there having tests it could be better not to them take home. This has to be her owners decision and should not be made to feel bad if they choose not to do it at home. A good vets will ensure a pet is at ease in their final moments.

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.

[Morningside]

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.

[Turn7]

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.

[LordHaveMurci]

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.

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...