It's an extremely painful time for all of us who love our pets. Saying goodbye to them is devastating, we recognize that. And not even the consolation of knowing that by "putting them to sleep" they will stop suffering, gives us peace.
But while some owners accompany their "furry companions" in the final moments, most choose to avoid that terrible and sad situation and wait in a corridor for everything to end.
It is true that for the owners it may be easier not to participate in that final sigh; However, after knowing what this veterinarian explains, we will surely reconsider.
It is important to accompany our pets when we have to "put them to sleep". Photo: Shutterstock
A veterinarian's plea
A veterinarian shared a heartbreaking message intended for owners whodon't accompany theirpetswhen they put them to sleep, imploring them to stay with them no matter how hard it is.
"It can be hard to say goodbye, but it's a real hell for them. They don't like the vet anymore, they're confused, they're afraid, they're sad, and they're looking for you when they take their last breath," he said on Reddit.
"I try to give them as much love and comfort as I humanly can, but in the end, I keep being a stranger to them."
"It can be hard to say goodbye, but it's real hell for them," she said. Photo: Shutterstock
When a woman left her 13-year-old dog to be euthanized, the veterinarian said the poor animal spent his last moments desperately scanning the room for his owner.
"I told her we didn't have a professional who could take over at the clinic since she would be attending outside all day, but he insisted on leaving her there at 9 a.m. knowing she wouldn't return until well after 18 p.m.," she said.
"She was too busy to bring her back later, so she left her sweet baby girl alone all day before she died."
So, the professional decided to tell how she spent the day with the animal. "I kept her with me most of the time, took her for a short walk, bought her a cheeseburger and donut at my lunch, lay on the floor and hugged her while crying, scared and confused," she recalled moved.
Many users shared their experiences with the veterinarian. Photo: Shutterstock
"I kissed her and told her she was a good girl as she crossed the rainbow bridge, but her eyes never stopped searching for her family. Dogs know what's going on, don't do this to them. Be present when they cross that bridge. He won't kill you, I promise you."
Hard testimonials
Sharing her condolences with those who, for various reasons, cannot keep their pets while the injection is administered, the veterinarian stressed: "Obviously, this does not apply to anyone who has had absolutely no choice during the pandemic."
While most users thanked him for his honesty, others recalled their own heartbreaking experiences of having to say goodbye to a beloved pet.
"While it's one of the hardest things we have to do, it's our last gift of love to them after a lifetime of devotion," one user posted according to the British media.
And he detailed how his last day with his dog was: "We stopped at McDonald's and I ordered a chocolate ice cream. She had refused to eat the previous two days, but licked the chocolate gently as we hugged her."
"We really don't deserve the love, adoration and loyalty of dogs," one user posted. Photo: Shutterstock
"My vet is one of the nicest people in the world. He walked over to our car and gave him a big hug. She positioned us so that we could hug her and look into her eyes as she passed. I wanted the last thing she saw was me reassuring her," she said.
But the testimonies continued. Thus, another user recalled his experience: "I recently held my sweet baby angel while his body relaxed in my arms. I can't imagine not being there for her as she took her last breath. We really don't deserve the love, adoration and loyalty of dogs."