Being present when your pet is PTS

[Einion Yrth]

I couldn't leave my friends to die in the company of strangers, if they are with people they trust it must make the passing easier. Be with them, you'll get over the pain; eventually.

[Fermit The Krog and Sexy Sarah]

I agree with the majority. It is truly hard, but I see it as a last duty. About three years ago I had to have my Great Dane x Dobe Henry PTS, spinal disease. I bawled my eyes out, the first time since I lost a friend in a car accident years before, but I'd not forgive myself if I wasn't there when he needed me.

[ali_kat]

Boosted LS1 said:

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.

That's good news p, I hope he stays perkier for a while longer.

OP, I haven't been able to be with 2 of mine (car ) but, they had/have given me so much comfort in their lives I couldn't not be with them.

I hope you find the strength and that you don't have to face it yet.

[Thevet]

Go and be with them at the end, I have managed to put god knows how many of my pals to sleep at home with just the wife doing the holding, awful but I wouldn't want them to be alone. Some have been blind deaf comatose or just hanging on. I am glad no one else gets to do the dirty deed for my pals, but I have been able to help many friends with their equally terrible decisions, whether they be for cats dogs horses or cows, no two animals or owners are the same in what they want. It is an awful awful day to lose a pet, my first dog left me so hurt, and the last one was only here for 5 months before crashing and needing rested, all were tearful and left horrible feelings but I feel I did the right thing.
Again be with your friends, they would do the same.

[riosyd]

One of the hardest things is saying your final goodbye to a faithful friend, my vet came to the house and Dino was pts in the comfort of his familiar surroundings being cuddled to the end. There is no way I would have taken him to the vet and just left him there, he'd given me 13 years of dedication and fun - I couldn't not be there for him. I still miss him

[FlyingMeeces]

bexVN said:

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.

:nod: Nothing wrong with doing it at the vets if that's what works for you and your animal pal. Especially a cat - almost all of them hate being in a carrier and find it really stressful and aren't smart/aware enough to understand that they're going home, so if you're already at the vets, one more journey that you could spare them is a bit unkind and unnecessary.

(And in counterpoint, I'd make every effort to avoid having to bring TO the vet, from home, a dying pet who could be put down at home instead.)

[SilverSixer]

Went through this two weeks ago with my 18 year old Jack Russell, who I'd had from a pup. She had lost her sight, most of her hearing, balance and continence and was clearly becoming distressed, being unable to negotiate the smallest step, or find her way around the house without trying to walk through walls. The decision had to be made. A last day at home in the sunny garden, lots of cuddles and a nice meal of salmon.

It was a horrendously distressing moment at the vets, but as others have said I couldn't countenance abandoning her at the last moment. I held her and soothed her and talked to her as it happened, then on leaving the vets I was having a nervous breakdown and ended up hugging the vet, who seemed to understand and didn't mind. I didn't stop bawling for a few days, and had some difficult nights trying to sleep. But I wouldn't have done it any other way for her.

[rovermorris999]

Always at home for me with me there. Their last experience is of a familiar place with their owner. I have plenty of space so I always bury them at home myself, I find it quite cathartic.
Four here so far and sadly two not far behind.

[Chris Type R]

I think being there, while very upsetting, does help with closure. Been through this a couple of months ago

[steve2]

Last October we had the vet come to the house to pts Caspar our cat and although really upsetting(men do cry) it was the right thing to do for him.
still hurts now

[scrwright]

Had to do this last year with my first dog, I was in bits. We had to do the deed at the vets due to illness she had, the vet was really good with us (He is the one on the TV alot) he had looked after Merle through her various ailments & ops and couldn't have done more.
Not a thing I want to do again but know it will happen eventually with are current 2, would never leave them to go through it alone.

[Adz The Rat]

I was there with my rats, cried like a baby all the way through.

I will be there with my dog Bella when her time comes. She looks at me with such soft loving eyes, how could I leave her when she needs me most?

[johnxjsc1985]

Its time for my lovely Girl Suki she is 13 now and has lost the use of her back legs and faded away so much these past few weeks.
I know how hard tomorrow will be but she really has had enough now and I just wish she would fall asleep. Its like another chapter in your life being marked and having already been here three times before in the last 10 years it doesn't get any easier but we take our friends from Rescue centres and they have all given us so much companionship and Love and hopefully there lives have been made better by spending time with us.

[ClaphamGT3]

Mobile Chicane said:

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

Absolutely this; I wouldn't dream of taking an animal to a vets to be put down!

[LordHaveMurci]

ClaphamGT3 said:

Mobile Chicane said:

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

Absolutely this; I wouldn't dream of taking an animal to a vets to be put down!

Sadly we had no choice in the matter.

[moorx]

johnxjsc1985 said:

Its time for my lovely Girl Suki she is 13 now and has lost the use of her back legs and faded away so much these past few weeks.
I know how hard tomorrow will be but she really has had enough now and I just wish she would fall asleep. Its like another chapter in your life being marked and having already been here three times before in the last 10 years it doesn't get any easier but we take our friends from Rescue centres and they have all given us so much companionship and Love and hopefully there lives have been made better by spending time with us.

I'm so sorry to read this John

[garythesign]

johnxjsc1985 said:

Its time for my lovely Girl Suki she is 13 now and has lost the use of her back legs and faded away so much these past few weeks.
I know how hard tomorrow will be but she really has had enough now and I just wish she would fall asleep. Its like another chapter in your life being marked and having already been here three times before in the last 10 years it doesn't get any easier but we take our friends from Rescue centres and they have all given us so much companionship and Love and hopefully there lives have been made better by spending time with us.

It's always a hard decision, which doesn't get any easier

good luck later today

[johnxjsc1985]

ClaphamGT3 said:

Absolutely this; I wouldn't dream of taking an animal to a vets to be put down!

we have taken our Dogs to the Vets in the hope something could be done but prepare for the worse. If the inevitable happens she will be in my arms and she will know she has been loved.

[SilverSixer]

johnxjsc1985 said:

Its time for my lovely Girl Suki she is 13 now and has lost the use of her back legs and faded away so much these past few weeks.
I know how hard tomorrow will be but she really has had enough now and I just wish she would fall asleep. Its like another chapter in your life being marked and having already been here three times before in the last 10 years it doesn't get any easier but we take our friends from Rescue centres and they have all given us so much companionship and Love and hopefully there lives have been made better by spending time with us.

John, you are a good man. Take care.

[johnxjsc1985]

Just back from the Vets. the Vet and the nurse were so kind and very calm. Suki was very tired and when I carried her in she just lay in my arms whilst we stroked her she was not at all stressed just tired and old.
It doesn't get easier no matter how many times you go through this process we just come home to give our two Dogs Roxi and Bobby lots of cuddles and hugs.