has anyone been with their dog when they were put to sleep?

Question

Me and my hubby had to put his dog to sleep yestorday and my hubby wanted to stay with her( the dog Maggie) and I didn't want him to be alone. So he held her while the doc did the shot and I held her collar. I've never been so depressed in my life to see something like that and I never wanna do that again. I can't get the image out of my mind. help

Answer 1

Yes.....but not a dog...a cat...I know the feeling. You are holding her and after a couple of minutes you feel her body go lifeless and cold. It happened about 10 years ago for me...and I still feel the saddness. Sometimes, a vet will suggest that you say your "goodbyes" and walk out of the door and they handle the rest. It is a really hard thing to do. Some people want to actually see it happen....to be there when their pet leaves the earth, if they don't see it happen..and witness it...they might think that the pet is still alive and somewhere...lost. I'm sorry for you and your husband....I hope you guys are doing ok. It's not just a dog...she was your friend...part of the family. Take care!!

Answer 2

My boyfriends dog was put to sleep last week. I was not close to the dog. But I went with him to support him.. I also went inside while him. I have never seen such a sad sight in my life. Like I mentioned I was not close to the dog. But when they gave her the shot. It took less then a mintue before she was out. I cried like I just lost a family member. It was the worse experience I have ever been through. A week later I still can not shake the image from my mind.

I thought that once they gave her the shot, that there would be at least a few mintues to say goodbye, that she would still be awake and just fall asleep slowly, like as if she was just tired you know... I mean she was awake and looking around and then next she was gone..... My bf. took it ok. I still am afftected by it.

I have two cats who are about 12yrs old. I went home that day and stayed with them and hugged them. I don't know what i will do when it comes to that time... I can't even think of it.

So I can understand and I am sorry for you loss.. I can't give you advice on how to stop the images as I still have them.. But my thoughts are with you.. Hugs..

Answer 3

The practice that I work for, we give owners the option to stay with a pet while we euthanize. It can be upseting. But some people get a piece of mind by seing their pet who had been suffering feel so peaceful in the end. They go to a FAR better place and they are not suffering anymore, and some owners want to be there to their final minute. It's not painful, and they just go to sleep, some owners feel better but are still grieving about the loss of their pet. It's not just hard on the owners, I know sometimes I get teary eyed after assisting in the procedure, along with the dr's. I know you probably are having a hard time, but just know that your dog is in a better place, and she's not in pain anymore, and you will see her again someday. And be happy, it's just a new beginning.


The poem that the user above sent you the link for is a great poem, we send it home with owners after they let their loved ones go.

Answer 4

No, I've heard it's sometimes very traumatic. I'm sorry you had such an awful experience. Contrary to "Wiseguy"S" attitude, it isn't heartless. If it is going to seriously traumatize or depress you, you shouldn't do it. My vet doesn't recommend it for most people. I couldn't do it.

It isn't any different for people who are dying. Not everyone can handle being there at that moment. I spent nearly every moment with my mother for the last few weeks of her life and was at her side when she passed away. My brother on the other hand, couldn't stand to see her as she started to decline rapidly.

You should only do what YOU are comfortable with. Don't let anyone guilt you into doing something like that unless it feels right to you.

Time will lessen the pain and memory of the experience.

Answer 5

For some people, it is better that they see the death as it helps with mourning. For others, they shouldn't. It really depends on the person. Some people feel like they are abandoning their dog if they just drop them off at the vet and strangers are the last people they see, but others just can't take seeing them that way. I know that at my clinic, we do NOT recommend viewing the euthanasia. We would rather our clients remember seeing their pets as they were when they were alive, not after they are dead. We talk to them and hold them and they are not alone when they die. Everybody handles death differently so for your husband, it may have been something he needed to see to help him accept and deal with her death. Also, remember, that if it was necessary, it was a good thing. It is much better to die in your sleep by euthanasia than to die suffering or live the rest of her life suffering.

Answer 6

I will want to be with my girl when she's put to sleep if it comes to that. I will want it done in my home though rather than taking her to the stressful vet. That's hopefully not for a good 16 years or so though. I'm terribly sorry for your loss but I don't think you should just leave your companion to die alone on a cold table. Your hubby did the right thing.

Answer 7

I've had the experience twice in my life and yes it is very sad. I found the best way to start recovery is to look at other dogs and consider getting another one like from a shelter. I adopted another dog after mine was put down and it helped immensely. I haven't forgotten about the one I put down but it helps ease the pain with a new friend.

Answer 8

I've held three cats and my son's dog. It doesn't get any easier, but I feel I owe it to them to stay with them to the end. My son couldn't face staying with his dog, so I did - I loved her too.
Our vet is awesome. Gave me time with them after they gave the sedative, and after they had died. One of the vets, the one with me twice during this experience sat on the floor and cried with me. That says a lot about the compassion of the veterinarian.
I currently have 5 cats, and I will stay with them to the end also. I have the ashes of two of the cats - my son only asked for his dog's collar and leash. They give us such total devotion in life, I have to cuddle and comfort them in death. It's the least I can do in return.

Answer 9

i'm soooooooooo sorry that you have to go through this , i was on my way to the vet to put a puppy to sleep he had parvo didnt get there in time we were 4 minutes too late . i am sorry again about your lose. maybe when you feel up to it you can have a memorial service for her, sometimes asking your doctor for a mild sedative to help you sleep will help, if you need to talk do that, also your husband will show different emtions that we as women do. maybe do something in her name like a donation to an animal shelter.sometimes. i dont recommend getting another dog this soon after ,you are still grieveing i did that and it wasnt easier it made me miss him more. when the time is right get a dog but dont try to get one to replace the one you had get one to fill the void- for the right reasons.dont let people tell you how long to grieve its in you own time. when my husband dog had to go to heaven i made a scrape book of picture for him to rememeber her by this was another one that we had to send to heaven she had bad seizures that was 6 months ago and my husband is still upset, he wont say it but i know he is.most of all try to keep your mind busy if you can watch funny shows the show Reba helps me when i feel depressed.

Answer 10

I haven't lost a dog to death, but I have lost a cat. My husband (boyfriend at the time) was in there with me and it actually brought us closer together. You loved this animal so much, but you do what is right. You will see this wonderful animal when you leave this earth too. It's hard but you don't want to see Maggie suffering.