A vet has issued a heartfelt plea to pet owners who choose to leave their dogs alone when they’re put to sleep, urging them to be there for their furry friend until the very end
Having a pet put to sleep is the most difficult aspect of dog ownership, but sometimes it becomes your only choice.
If you’ve been raised alongside a four-legged companion, you’ll understand how rapidly they become a cherished member of the household.
Simply contemplating the day when you’ll need to bid them farewell can overwhelm us with profound sorrow.
However, when they’re ageing and enduring pain, euthanasia represents the most compassionate choice.
many owners opt to wait in the corridor whilst the injection is given, unable to witness their cherished companion’s final moments.
Yet, a vet has made an appeal, begging owners to remain beside their pooches right until the end, regardless of how distressing it may be.
Speaking on Reddit back in 2022, one vet explained: “It might be hard to say goodbye but it’s hell for them.
“They already don’t like the vet, they’re confused, they’re scared, they’re sad and they’re looking for you when they take their last breath.
“I can try to provide them as much love and comfort as I humanly can but at the end of the day, I’m a stranger to them.”
Describing how a woman left her 13-year-old dog to be put down, the vet shared the unfortunate animal spent its final moments frantically searching the room for its owner.
She added: “I told her we didn’t have a vet in clinic as she was on farm calls all day, but she insisted on leaving her there at 9am knowing that our vet wouldn’t be back until well after 6pm.
“She was too busy to bring her back later, so she left her sweet girl to be alone all day before dying. I kept her with me for most of the day, took her for a small walk, bought her a cheeseburger and donut on my lunch and laid on the ground and cuddled her while she cried, scared and confused.
“I kissed her and told her she was a good girl while she crossed the rainbow bridge, but her eyes never stopped looking for her family. Dogs know what’s happening, don’t do this to them. Be there when they cross that bridge. It won’t kill you, I promise.”
Whilst the majority of users praised the vet for their candour, others shared their own devastating memories of bidding farewell to a cherished pet.
One user said: “While it is one of the hardest things we ever have to do, it’s our last gift of love to them, after a lifetime of devotion.
“We stopped at McDonald’s and I ordered her a chocolate sundae. She had refused food for two days prior, but had a tentative, single lick of the chocolate while we cuddled her.
“My vet is one of the kindest people alive. He comes out to our car and gives her a big cuddle. He positions us so I can cuddle her and look into her eyes as she passes. He wants the last thing she sees to be me reassuring her.”
Another added: “I recently held my sweet little angel baby as her body went limp in my arms.
“A piece of me died that day but she was surrounded by love and died peacefully in my arms feeling safe. I cannot fathom not being there for her as she drew her last breaths. We truly don’t deserve the love, adoration and loyalty of dogs.”
