Vet shares how dogs react in final moments including looking for owners
Losing a pet can be a devastating loss, and it can be even more heartbreaking if you are the one making the decision to end their suffering.
Many people can feel ashamed or worry about how emotional they feel around the loss of their pet or mourning, according to the (RSPCA). They said: "Grieving a pet can be similar to mourning the loss of a family member. Some owners experience feelings of deep loneliness and isolation."
Whilst some people stay with their pets until the final moment they are put down, others decide not to have that as the last memory with their beloved animal. A vet has revealed the things pets do in their final moments when being put down, including “frantically” looking for their owners.
Jessi Dietrich explained on X, formerly known as that she had asked her vet to share the hardest part about his job. She then recalled his response: "He said when he has to put an animal down, 90 per cent of owners don't actually want to be in the room when he injects them, so the animal's last moments are usually them frantically looking around for their owners & tbh that broke me."
Jessi continued to add: "And for this reason, I'm literally gonna be cradling my homeboy Rick when his time comes with all his favourite toys and endless ear scratches at the ready regardless of how distraught I am."
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The tweet went viral in 2020 and has since been reposted to Twitter on the Tweets of Dogs account, reaching 3.1 million views, over 10,000 shares, and over 3,000 comments. Hundreds of people shared their stories of when their pets passed.
One person said: "I was with my pup his entire life. He gave me everything he had, and I loved every minute of being with him. There was absolutely ZERO chance I’d let him leave this world without me there, comforting him, telling him what a wonderful pup he was, how he brightened up my life, how he made me laugh and how he also protected his home."
Another Twitter user, who claimed to be a technician at a vet clinic, said: "I'd say 80 per cent of owners want to be there! But we give them an injection to make them sleepy first (basically surgically anaesthetised) so the transition is that much smoother. And when owners don't want to be a part of the actual euthanasia, they stay for the sedation part so at least they are with them until they are sleeping. Makes everything so peaceful (well as peaceful as that can be I guess)."
Another person added: "My beautiful rescue, Sadie, was put to sleep one month ago after having been diagnosed with lung cancer. I was there with her, but it was one of the worst days of my life, a day that almost had me losing my will to live. It takes courage to see a beloved pet out; the sadness is huge, and playing god is horrid, but be there for them as they were always there for you. Be there."
Whilst a fourth person said: "I was with my Dachshund in his final moments, as I had the vet put him to sleep. Bawled my eyes out as he took his last breath, but comforted him as he slipped away. If your dog stood with you through all the joy and pain you had in their life, the most you can do is be there in their last moments."
If you have been impacted by any part of this story and need someone to talk to you can call Samaritans confidentially on 116 123.
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