is it better for the owner to stay with the dog til the very end? I just learned that my baby back in Denver has to be put down tomorrow...she has been in the care of my former roommate and part owner for the last year while I've been caring for my mom out of state. She is like a child to him and when he called me on the phone, he was sobbing...a very tough manly man but inconsolable. He plans to stay with her to the end. I have heard different opinions on this, and just wondering what others have done or think is the right course of action. I remember watching Marley and Me and that was just gut wrenching. I have 3 dogs and this is my first loss, so I'm still in shock...any advice would be appreciated. My gut says of course you would stay...but I don't know anything right now.
Stay with your dog until the end, as you would a family member, because that is exactly who she is. She gave you unconditional love for her lifetime. It's important both for you and her that you be there in the end. You may regret it if you walk away. It hurts but you'll get over it.
I had to put my dog who was 15 yrs old down 3 yrs ago. I took him to the vet but there was no way I could go back to watch him be put down. The main thing I wanted to do was bring him home and give him a nice spot in our back yard for him. We plant flowers for him each spring. Pets give us nothing but love it has to be one of the toughest things for people to do. Good luck.
I had to put one of my dogs down a couple months ago and stayed till the end. Was one of the hardest things I've ever gone through, but there is no way I wasn't going to stay till the end. I do know of some dog owners who didn't want to stay simply because they couldn't handle it; nothing wrong with that at all. It's tough putting a dog down because as all dog owners know, it's a family member.
Sorry for your loss IAG.
Sorry for your loss IAG.
Had to put my cat down about 8 mo the ago... Absolutely the hardest thing I've ever had to do. Force fed him for months leading up to it, but he wasn't happy, and I know it was the best thing for the animal.
I stayed with him, during the injections, until his heart stopped. Do what you can. The dog knows you love him.
I stayed with him, during the injections, until his heart stopped. Do what you can. The dog knows you love him.
I patted my ole boy on the head as he was lying down from the begining to the end of the process. The thing I took out of it how painless and seamless the passing of life to death was and thinking that I was adding to the comfort of his passing.
It hurt me more than him but it was the last thing I could to for him. After the grieving process I was glad I was there for him.
It hurt me more than him but it was the last thing I could to for him. After the grieving process I was glad I was there for him.
Wow. Reading these posts brings (more) tears to my eyes. Macy was put down last night..just 3 hours after I found out there was something wrong...maybe that's for the best, but I wish I could have been there. I know her "dad" and his gf were with her, but I cannot get him on the phone. I know he is, as were you all, destroyed. Thank you for your stories and support. It helps.
Absolutely one of the worst days of my life. He knew an hour before we even left for the Vet. he was shaking uncontrollably and pooped in the back seat of the car on ride over. They asked me if I wanted to stay in the waiting room but I didn't want him to be alone. i know he would never have left me... 6 years later it still brings tears to my eyes. I never wanted to go through that again, so I didn't get another Dog, I finally changed my mind after being around my sisters dog several times. Got another one last August, Shouldn't have waited so long, This has been one of the best years of my life. Sorry for your loss.
