Every time if at all possible. Anything that will comfort them, and frankly, it is a small comfort to me as well, to be there at the end.

I had to put 2 down within months of each other. It was a bit traumatic for me.
I loved having dogs, but I have avoided getting another because of it.

It is a very sad day @filmfann. Only time I’ve seen Rick cry.

When I put my Snuffy down then nurse suggested I leave. I said “No.”
I heard her tell the vet, in a disbelieving voice, that I wanted to stay with my dog, like I was crazy or something.

Yes I have. They need me as much as I need them to be comforted.

I’ve only had to do this twice and it was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. I expect to have vivid memories of those moments until the day I die. I have no regrets and would do it again. Make no mistake though, it’s emotionally agonizing.

I did this once with my dog. It was one of the most painful things I’ve ever done. I cried harder than I ever had throughout it, and often start leaking from my eyes when I even think about it. However, I wouldn’t have done it any other way.

I have often had bunches of pets at a time, so I have had to do this many times. It never gets easier (and it shouldn’t) but it gets easier to learn the signs that it has to happen. I have had them go quietly, wagging gently, and resist and fight. And as hard as it is, knowing how painful it is, it is still harder for me to be without pets in my life.

Oh, I can’t imagine not being there. When we had to put Prince to sleep, they took us into a room and said take all the time you want . And then the vet came in and talked to us about what he was doing. It was actually a relief to be there and see how painless the dying process was for Prince. The harder part was being home and not seeing him in all his usual haunts.

Tough call, and I’m glad I’ve never been in that predicament. But yeah, I probably would. Just sit there and pet it and try to comfort it the best I could. My pets have all passed naturally. But I wouldn’t hold it against someone who felt they wouldn’t be able to deal with it. We all have our own ways of dealing with grieving.

I never had that chance but I would have. My daughter held her little dog while it died.

I thought that claim that 90% wouldn’t was wrong.

Yes. Been there, done that.

Being there is a privelage and closure. I wish every dog was able to go so loved and in peace.

I’m crying.

@Dutchess_III I almost didn’t answer this at all because I can’t bear to think about my lost babies. I’m sorry you’re sad. I hope you and your dog are ok.

And I will second that. I hope that this is just a rhetorical Q.

Absolutely. I’ll always be there. I figure they’ve loved me and depended on me and shared their life with me – the least I can do is try to comfort them when they have to leave. I put my hand on their head and thank them for making my life better.

Here’s a poem that my vet sent me; many of you probably recognize it:

Grieve not,
nor speak of me with tears,
but laugh and talk of me
as if I were beside you -

I loved you so -
‘twas Heaven here with you.

~Isla Paschal Richardson

(excerpt from “To Those I Love”)

You ok @Dutchess_III?

Yes. I’ve held them while their eyes went dim. For them and also for me, I had to hold them close while they passed.

Yes. With one cat, the vet said they couldn’t believe the cat stayed alive so long waiting for his humans to show up.

I couldn’t even tell you the number I have been with for this. My mom always had a million pets and I would go with her. I have been there with five of my own. Always always heartbreaking. I cannot imagine having it any other way. I have always asked for sedation before the final shot. I have never seen agitation in any of them with that. I always hold them afterwards for a long time. They say the hearing is the last to go. I don’t want them to hear me leave and then silence.

I’ve never had to put a pet down but I couldn’t bear not to be present in its final moments.

When I was informed my cat should be put down, they asked me to come back a couple hours later when they they had staff available for the procedure. When I returned they had already done it. I was so upset and later angry.

I’ve chosen never to have pets, partly for just this reason – So hard to watch them age, suffer, and die.

But if I ever did, I think I’d do what I could to make them feel loved at the end.

@All… Cato and Vanta are fine. I just came across the article in the details and just didn’t belive that 90% of people wouldn’t stay in the room. So I took a Fluther poll.

^Very good to know.

@Dutchess_III Whewww! I was worried.

I don’t believe it’s 90% either; probably more like 40–60%. Plus, the fact that someone would take their pet to a vet tells me that the %-age must be lower. People who don’t care about their pets simply discard them or take them to the Humane Society when they get old or sick. I dunno, I’m tired, don’t know if I expressed what I meant to or not.

I also don’t believe the 90% number.

I went through this once, with a twelve year old cat. I could not imagine letting her die with strangers. 20+ years later I don’t think a week goes without me thinking about her. She was a good girl and I loved her profoundly.

I don’t believe that number either. I think there must be some confusion and it’s referring to animals put to sleep in shelters, maybe.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/all-dogs-go-heaven/201910/should-you-be-present-the-euthanasia-your-pet#:~:text=A%20study%20conducted%20recently%20by%20Julie%20Ann%20Luiz,opted%20not%20to%20be%20present%20%2816%25%20didn%E2%80%99t%20respond%29.

Articles states the percentage is more like 50, not 90.

Good article.

Yes it w was. Thanks @jca2

I stayed with my previous dog until he was unconscious. He was panting as though something bad was going to happen. I kept my hand on him to reassure him that everything was going to be OK.