Vet issues plea to owners putting their dog to sleep after seeing final moments
No one likes having to say goodbye to a pet, and for many of us, having to put our beloved furry friends to sleep is devastating - even though we know that it's often what's best for them.
When the time comes to say goodbye, some owners will choose to avoid the pain of watching their pet be put to sleep, and will instead wait in the hallway for it all to be over.
But one vet has shared a heartbreaking plea urging all owners to stay with their dogs, cats, and other animals during their final moments, as it could help them feel more comfortable and less anxious.
The vet is urging owners to stay with their pets in their final moments (stock photo) (Getty Images/iStockphoto)Speaking to Reddit, one vet 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."
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Explaining how a woman dropped off her 13-year-old dog to be euthanised, the vet said the poor pooch spent its final moments desperately scanning the room for her owner.
She added: "I told her we didn't have a vet in the clinic as she was on farm calls all day, but she insisted on leaving her there at 9 am knowing that our vet wouldn't be back until well after 6 pm.
"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 doughnut 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."
The vet shared her sympathies with those unable to stay with their pets as the injection is administered, and stressed that she wasn't trying to criticise those who had "absolutely no choice" but to leave the room - such as those who had to put their pets to sleep during the Covid-19 pandemic.
While most users thanked the vet for their honestly, others recalled their own heartbreaking experiences with having to say goodbye to a beloved pet.
One user said: "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.
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"He checks her heartbeat and steps away to let us have a private moment together, and I can hear him behind his own car having a quiet 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 added: "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."
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