Euthanasia and your pet

[HalifaxDrunk]

Sorry for your loss. I hope Hana is doing Ok, it's as rough on them as us.

No onions here, I shed a tear for your pup. His personality sounds just like my past dog Iggy and it brought back many great memories. Thank you for sharing.

[HELPNEEDED]

I am very sorry to hear that. i also went through this 4-weeks ago with my little buddy of 18years.

[Caged Great]

That blows Zevo.

My condolences

[#22]

Very sorry for your loss.

[MoneyGuy]

I need advice from someone who has done this. My little buddy (bijon-cocker) is being put down Thursday. I'm wondering if I should go with him into the room or just take him into the vet's office. He's a nervous dog and gets anxious about all kinds of things so I'm thinking I should be with him all the way, to hold him tight. Any advice? I'm very sad today.

[Jbo]

Originally Posted by MoneyGuy

I need advice from someone who has done this. My little buddy (bijon-cocker) is being put down Thursday. I'm wondering if I should go with him into the room or just take him into the vet's office. He's a nervous dog and gets anxious about all kinds of things so I'm thinking I should be with him all the way, to hold him tight. Any advice? I'm very sad today.

It is a very hard thing to go through...however, after my previous dog being by my side for 14 years, I was not going to let her be put down without me in the room.

The process involves giving the drug a sedative that makes them sleepy and out of it. After that they give the injection to put the dog down. My family and I chose to hold her so she knew we were there.

My personal opinion is you should be there. Don't live with the regret that you were not by your dog's side...no matter how hard it is.

I'm sorry you have to go through this.

[First Lady]

Originally Posted by MoneyGuy

I need advice from someone who has done this. My little buddy (bijon-cocker) is being put down Thursday. I'm wondering if I should go with him into the room or just take him into the vet's office. He's a nervous dog and gets anxious about all kinds of things so I'm thinking I should be with him all the way, to hold him tight. Any advice? I'm very sad today.

So sorry to hear this MoneyGuy. It is nearly a year to the day that we decided to put down our Loni.

I went in with her; for both of our sakes. Most vets have a room set aside for these situations. It is generally set up more like a living room, with dim lights and comfortable furniture. Sometimes there is music. (I've done this more than once)

If you have children (depending on age and maturity) discuss with them what will happen and if they would like to be there as well.

[MoneyGuy]

I have two grown kids in their 20s. They are deciding if they want to be in the room with him also. I think I need to be there for him. I'm still deciding but that's how I feel right now.

[First Lady]

Originally Posted by MoneyGuy

I have two grown kids in their 20s. They are deciding if they want to be in the room with him also. I think I need to be there for him. I'm still deciding but that's how I feel right now.

It is very hard, no doubt about that. I believe, for me it is an important step in the whole process. Others stay away, preferring not to be "right there" or sometimes it's a fear of the unknown. It is surprisingly peaceful and for me it was reassuring knowing they are no longer in pain.

[WhiteTiger]

Originally Posted by MoneyGuy

I need advice from someone who has done this. My little buddy (bijon-cocker) is being put down Thursday. I'm wondering if I should go with him into the room or just take him into the vet's office. He's a nervous dog and gets anxious about all kinds of things so I'm thinking I should be with him all the way, to hold him tight. Any advice? I'm very sad today.

I know that this is a very personal decision...but I know that for me, as much as it would hurt, I couldn't possibly let someone I consider a family member and a dear friend face death alone. Not after all we'd have gone through.

[Cowperson]

Originally Posted by MoneyGuy

I need advice from someone who has done this. My little buddy (bijon-cocker) is being put down Thursday. I'm wondering if I should go with him into the room or just take him into the vet's office. He's a nervous dog and gets anxious about all kinds of things so I'm thinking I should be with him all the way, to hold him tight. Any advice? I'm very sad today.

Sorry to hear that. Always a difficult time . . .

I've had to let roughly 10 pets go. Three dogs, ages nine, 12 and 12 years of age and the rest cats, including two 15 year olds.

I'm in the room with them. Always.

It's very difficult, particularly your first time and double particularly with a dog. While cats are in and out of your life at their choosing, a dog is underfoot everyday, all day for a decade or more and the void in the house can be pretty jarring.

They are great friends and with sad experience, I've come to accept it as a fairly natural "cycle of life" kind of thing. We outlive them. Almost always. That's just the way it is. Therefore I don't think they deserve to be confused and only in the company of strangers when things end.

But if this is your first experience it will be difficult.

Just a couple of tips. . . . . . pay for the procedure before you go into the room or arrange to come back later and pay for it. I can flat out guarantee you that when you walk out of that room you'll just want to head for the door instead of trying to find a credit card in front of a waiting room full of people. Secondly, arrange for cremation and to pick him up later. Helps with closure.

Best wishes.

Cowperson

[pylon]

Originally Posted by MoneyGuy

I need advice from someone who has done this. My little buddy (bijon-cocker) is being put down Thursday. I'm wondering if I should go with him into the room or just take him into the vet's office. He's a nervous dog and gets anxious about all kinds of things so I'm thinking I should be with him all the way, to hold him tight. Any advice? I'm very sad today.

If it was your last day on earth, your dog would be there for you by your side. I am sure there is nobody he would rather have with him more than you.

[Minnie]

I absolutely second what Cowperson said about paying and doing all the stuff you can do, beforehand. We arranged for the cremation but we did not choose to keep the ashes. If you don't choose to keep the ashes, they are donated to the city of Calgary (didn't look to see where you are, MG) to be used by Parks for fertilization for the plants, which is what we chose for Jake.

Prior to going into the room with him, we arranged for a paw print casting to be done and they took a few snips of his hair for us as well. It was sent out and framed for us, with his name and pertinent dates.

My husband wouldn't come anywhere near the place, but the kids and I were in the room with Jake and I held him and the kids were petting him as the vet injected the stuff. They did take him from us at the beginning, to insert an IV and give him the relaxant before bringing him back into the room for the final procedure. It was very hard and we all cried. Our vet's office is very compassionate and we were allowed as much time in the room, with privacy, to say our goodbyes. Then we left when we were ready. I was glad to have done all the 'paperwork' prior. They also sent us a sympathy card a couple of weeks later.

It was very hard but no way in hell was anyone holding him but one of us, as he left us. We miss him all the time. And give yourself as much time to grieve as you need. I can tell you that I found it hit at weird times and I was sometimes surprised at the vehemence of it. It's been almost 4 years and at xmas, my MIL sent us a jump drive with 3 videos on it, of Jake, that she'd found on her computer - we had no idea she even had any. It was bittersweet and we all got quite teary eyed. For the longest time, I couldn't take our other dogs into that same room when we had to see our vet, which seems stupid I suppose, but they were very understanding and accommodating and we appreciated that immensely.

I'm so sorry you have to do this.

[MoneyGuy]

Thanks, all. Your comments only confirm that I need to be there for him (and for me). My kids can make their own decisions.

[Mightyfire89]

After almost 14 years, we had to euthanize our shepherd cross this past saturday. Her hips were shot, she was completely deaf and was going blind. It was time, and we knew it. Despite knowing it had to be done, I cried like an infant.

[flamesfever]

Originally Posted by MoneyGuy

I need advice from someone who has done this. My little buddy (bijon-cocker) is being put down Thursday. I'm wondering if I should go with him into the room or just take him into the vet's office. He's a nervous dog and gets anxious about all kinds of things so I'm thinking I should be with him all the way, to hold him tight. Any advice? I'm very sad today.

If it was me, I'd be inclined to be with him.

I had to put down my walker/ bluetick hound when distemper and chorea left her parlyzed in the hind section. I wrapped her in an old comforter and held her tight as the vet inserted the needle into her front leg. Unfortunately the vet missed the vein with the first needle and had to repeat the insertion. After the second needle, my dog lifted her head, looked at me, and then gently laid her head down and died.

I found that knowing I was with her in her last moments, although a sad experience, somehow eased the pain in losing her. I wouldn't hesitate to do it again if I had to.

[Cowperson]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Krack Korn

After almost 14 years, we had to euthanize our shepherd cross this past saturday. Her hips were shot, she was completely deaf and was going blind. It was time, and we knew it. Despite knowing it had to be done, I cried like an infant.

Sorry to hear of your loss. Fourteen years is a long time.

Best wishes.

Cowperson

[MoneyGuy]

Originally Posted by flamesfever

I had to put down my walker/ bluetick hound when distemper and chorea left her parlyzed in the hind section. I wrapped her in an old comforter and held her tight as the vet inserted the needle into her front leg. Unfortunately the vet missed the vein with the first needle and had to repeat the insertion. After the second needle, my dog lifted her head, looked at me, and then gently laid her head down and died.

I found that knowing I was with her in her last moments, although a sad experience, somehow eased the pain in losing her. I wouldn't hesitate to do it again if I had to.

Condolences. It's 14 years, eight months for my little friend. He's had a good, long life. Yours, too. Take solace in that.

[schteve_d]

I was in the room when I had to put down my fifteen year old lab. It was so hard, and Cowperson has some great advice. I wouldn't change it though, I was glad I was there. I would have regretted it for a long, long time had I not been there for him.

Sorry that you have to go through this.

[Brannigans Law]

I was there when we put down our dog. He got sick and had to be put down. To this day I'm glad we were there for him. Don't let your little one go alone in a room with strangers. Be there to hold and comfort your little doggy right until the end.