A vet has shared a heartbreaking message to owners whose pets are being euthanised.
Saying farewell to a pet is heart-wrenching, but the knowledge that they’re no longer suffering can provide some solace. While many owners find it difficult to witness their dog’s final moments, some choose to avoid the situation entirely and wait outside the room until it’s over.
However, despite the emotional toll it may take on you, it might be worth reconsidering and enduring the pain of being present for your pet’s sake.
This is the view of one vet, who issued a poignant plea back in 2022 to owners who leave their pets alone during euthanasia. They urged people to stay by their furry friend’s side, regardless of how challenging it may be, reports the Mirror.
In a post on Reddit, the animal expert said: “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.”
The vet opened up on a particularly distressing incident where a woman left her 13-year-old dog to be put down, with the poor animal spending its last moments frantically searching the room for its owner.
“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.”
Most Redditors praised the vet for their honesty, while others shared their own devastating memories of bidding farewell to a cherished pet.
One user commented: “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. He checks her heart beat and steps away to let us have a private moment together, and I can hear him behind his own car having a quite cry to himself.
“He goes back in to treat his next patient, and when I am ready I go in to thank him. He cries again, I cry too. He gives me a hug and I head home with my lovely girl, to place her with her mates who went before her.”
Another person commented: “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.”
A third person remarked: “I lost two dogs and a cat this year and my wife and I rearranged our schedules to be with them as much as possible before they were put down and we were there during the procedures. It was horrible but we had them for 14 and 12 years so they were family.
“While I can understand not wanting to acknowledge that it’s happening and wanting to pretend that they are just in the other room, trust me that it’s better to be there for every second you can for closure and support.”
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