Were you with your pet when it died?

Question

I am just curious how many people go to the vet with their dog and stay with them when they are put down. How many can't handle it and need to leave? When my precious pets were dying, I KNEW when it was time; they told me with their eyes and I swear they thanked me for ending their misery or let me know they were tired and begging for relief. How many of you 'heard' your pets tell you they were ready to 'leave' and did you stay with them??

You guys are killing me here with your stories :( God bless you all and your love for your pets. My first dog I made the choice to NOT be there when the vet euthanized and after being with my subsuquent pets, I can't forgive myself for not being there for my first baby. To die alone is terrifying and I realize that now. So I hold my pets and talk to them and soothe them until they take their last breath. With Gunny, my 13 year old german shephed, I swear to you I saw him thank me with his eyes when the vet injected him. The cancer had spread and I know I was being selfish asking him to live just for me. I will never forget that look in his eyes and I am grateful he let me know I did the right thing. That's the toughest part...not being sure they are ready to go.

Answer 1

I have stayed with each and every one. At their last moment, they deserve to be with someone who loves them. After a lifetime of love and devotion, haven't they earned it?

I too, knew it was their time. They "told" me as well. When you have a pet for many years, you know each other very well!

Answer 2

After a tough decision to have my 14 year old cat put down (he had been fighting illness for a few weeks). I made that tough choice and went to the vets. He was struggling to breath in the car and I got a chance to say my goodbye and thanked him for being such a big part of my life. I got the vets and the vet came out to help me bring him in ( I was such as mess) The vet told me he had just died in my arms. In some ways it was a relief that I didn't have to make that choice and he died in my arms where he spent some of his best times. I still have him with me, he is cremated and in an urn, but most of all he is still in my heart.

Answer 3

I stayed to the bitter end when I had to have my beloved dog put down. I informed the vet I did not want to see her convulse, so she was sedated first, then they brought her to me. I held her in my arms when the fatal injection was given, she was gone in a matter of seconds. How could anyone have a pet for 10-12 yrs and then abandon it at the moment of death ? Stay and embrace your faithful friend for the last time, surely you are stronger than the aged or ill one you are putting to death. Think not of yourself, but of the one who thought so very much of you. I felt no shame as I stood sobbing and telling her how much I loved her, my faithful, gentle pet. Its been3 yrs. I remember every detail of that day, but my conscience is clear.

Answer 4

Sadly i was in NYC doing do a photo shoot when my dog was really sick. I got a call from my mom saying that my dog wasnt feeling too good. I ended up coming home a day later and when i got there i took him to the vet. I was there when he passed but not in the same room because i didnt wanna see him go. I do feel like he waited for me to get home. He held on that long till he seen me. He was my favorite pet! Annd i miss him very much!

Answer 5

My dog little bit died from worms we took him to the vet but it was to late. My family decide to bring him home and let him die. After days of suffering we couldn't stand it any longer my father took him off some where and put him down.
It was the saddest moment in my life I was so heart broken when my father came home without him carrying his dog collar.

Answer 6

one day i was walking down to fetch my horse from the paddock, and i couldn't find him anywhere, then i heard some noises across the pond. hesitantly i wadded through the mud and saw my horse on his side... he had a deep gash across his torso and his large intestines were hanging out. the last light i saw in his eyes was when he turned to look at me as if he had waited for me, to die. i was fourteen then and i no longer have wire fences, but i still horse ride, i will never own another horse quite like Chopper.

Answer 7

I had to have a dog put down once.

I had to stay, because he seemed so confused when he was getting clumsy and stuff.

I stayed with him, and well, I turn 32 and I've never had a dog since.

Answer 8

no i wasnt i went to my dads howse and he accidently ran over mi dog and he was fine but then i had 2 go bak 2 mi moms house and i left mi dog at mi dads

i went bak to mi dads the weekend after and mi dog wasnt there.
that nite i went to mi moms they had to ring the nite vet to put it down because it couldnt feel its legs and was deeply breathing

i wrote a song about him the next day and gave it to mi dad
i didnt dtop crying till 1 month after

it was horrible and i hope it never happens again but the thing is that i dont know that it wont happen

Answer 9

My previous cat, Tony, started behaving strangely and a couple of days later it was time for his annual check up. Long story short, he was diagnosed with a brain tumor and had to be put down. I was with him, and he seemed to thank me, but I didn't get over it for months afterward.

Answer 10

Yes I held my first chi when he was put down. My husband held me. None of us wanted to be there but it was the right thing to do. As much as it tore my heart wide open I would not change it if I could.