Should I see my dead dog?

[Yeoman Randi]

My little Smooshie was 16-1/2 when she had to be put down. She was, in the last six months of her life, blind, deaf, diabetic (i had to give her 2 injections a day), and had alzheimers. (Yes, dogs do get it). I should have done it sooner but i just couldnt do it. Finally she stopped eating and on the third day i brought her to the vet to have it done. I held her while he did it. She died in my arms. We brought her home and i held her for another hour while my husband struggled to dig a grave for her.

I'm glad i was there for her and i would do it again.

 

[Mr Awe]

If there is a chance to be with your pet while he/she is being put to sleep, be there. They deserve that much. However, if it's after the fact, do what's comfortable for you.

Mr Awe

 

[marillion]

This is never an easy thing to think about. Long story short, my beloved rescued Airedale contracted a fatal blood disease. He had been at the Vet for several days on another issue. When they discovered the blood virus, they called and told me that there is very little chance for survival and that putting him down would probably be the best option. So I left home to be with him while they administered the drugs. He died during the 10 minute drive it took me to get there. I sat with him and cried my eyes out for 20 minutes before my mom showed up and got me out of there. I've never forgiven myself for not being there with him. I will not, and cannot bring myself to ever have another Airedale.

Conversely, my wife's pup of 17 years had gotten to the point where he could hardly walk or poop because his back legs were so weak. We decided to have him put down. Of course, in the couple of days before we were scheduled to do it, it seemed he got a bit better. But we stayed the course, knowing that it was best for him. We took him in and held him. Once the drugs were administered and he began to fade, my wife collapsed in hysterics crying and apologizing to him for what we were doing. It kills me to think about it even now, and this was several years ago.

Be there. Don't be there.. Doesn't matter.. It sucks either way.

Sorry to be a downer...

 

[Dart]

Our 14 year old dog was put to sleep September 2009. My best friend since I was 12.

Very, very sad. His kidneys had failed, prostate cancer we believe. He couldn't stand. The vet called out to us. We all gave the poor dog a big pat on the head and said goodbye which he liked. Then he got his first injection which really relaxed him for maybe 5 minutes and I am sure his last feelings were pain free before the second bigger injection, the heart stopping fluid. God, I'm tearing up now.

I buried him under my two Oak trees I started growing in 2004. He's looking after them for me

 

[DBR]

I had to put my dog to sleep a few years ago. I was with him the whole time, and while it was very hard, I dont regret it at all. I think I would feel horrible to just abandon him to the vet to have him put down. I understand why someone wouldn't want to be there, though.

 

[Captain Ice]

I've had to have a few cats put to sleep over the years. I always stay with them during the procedure. Whatever comfort they can take from my presence, whatever easing of any possible fear, I want them to have.

This.

It's one of the hardest decisions that you will ever make. However, they will tell you when it's time in their own way.

I stay through the end because they're always there for me through thick and thin and, therefore staying through the end is the right thing to do for them. I'd feel horrible if I thought their last moments were spent in fear do to my not being there.

 

[Kirby]

I've never had to put an animal down, although most of my pets growing up were hamsters, parakeets, guinea pigs, etc and they just died.

I have a 12 year old Dachshund who I love dearly, and he is really slowing down. He's still very healthy, just old, but I fear that day is coming in the next couple of years. If we have to put him down, I will be there with him until the end. I can't imagine not being there for him.

 

[JiNX-01]

I say go there and be with her until the end. At least she will pass away knowing her loving master was holding her paw.

Have you ever noticed that your pet gets nervous at the vet's? The noise and strange smells can upset them. You can give your dog comfort by being with her at the end. As much as it hurts you, believe me, you'll be glad you were with her.

ETA: 4th hanson bro, your dog must have had a very happy life with you.

 

[Ethros]

The main reasons she's ill is because she's got this tumour on her stomach. When it was first noticible the Vets said it was benign, but because of her age an operation to remove it could kill her. So we left it.
After that it slowly grew, only a bit really. But now it seems to be getting larger every day, and its getting to a stage now where she can't walk properly. So I think at this rate it's not gonna be long...
It's just horrible as despite her age she's fine in and of herself, you know, but just this thing. Its hard to tell if its painful for her, it didn't seem it at first at all, but now as its gotten bigger I'd imagine it could be. We're gonna take her to the vet this week and see what they say.

Hmm, I think the next few days or weeks could be pretty crappy...

 

[Marie1]

I've had to have a few cats put to sleep over the years. I always stay with them during the procedure. Whatever comfort they can take from my presence, whatever easing of any possible fear, I want them to have.

Exactly. I did have to help bury my dog, which hurt but I managed.

My horse needed tests to determine that needed to be put down, which took a couple days, which I spent with him. I had to go to school, and my parents had him put down while I was gone. But I had to work right near him for the week after and I lingered near his body... it was hard. It was winter so it took a while before we could bury him... ironically I was too upset to go to that.

Funny... I could sit by his body but... I was traumatized by his death for months...

Do what feels right- do the best that you can while they're alive... and know that when they're gone, they are resting in peace.

 

[Ghost07]

My old cat had a stroke...I heard her cry out and found her in the closet. I couldn't find anyone to take us to the vet's, and when I called the animal hospital, they told me if I brought her in, I should be sure I had the hundred fifty dollars to pay for an emergency appointment.

Since I didn't have that kind of money, I sat at home and held her until she was gone. It took nearly ten hours.

At least I was able to get my brother to come and help me bury her in the back yard.

I never want to go through that again. I hope I'm dead before either of my current cats is ready to go. There's no way I can handle it...I'm still poor and wouldn't be able to come up with enough money to have them Euthenized. And since my brother is dead, there's no one to help me bury them, either. I certainly couldn't do it myself from my wheelchair.

 

[-Brett-]

If it was me, I'd rather be there. I've been there for two dogs, because of other obligations I couldn't be there for the third. Can't say it was any easier either way, but I was at least satisfied that I got to say a goodbye to the first two, and wish I could have with the third.

In all three cases it was more my family's dog's than mine. Not looking forward to making that choice on my own.

 

[the 4th hanson bro]

ETA: 4th hanson bro, your dog must have had a very happy life with you.

I'd like to think he did. I used to joke that if I died and were able to come back, I'd want to come back as my dog.