03 January 2023 , 12:54
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Saying goodbye to a pet is heartbreaking - especially when you have to wish them farewell well before their time. But one vet has been trying to reassure owners who don't stay in the room when their beloved pet is being put to sleep.
She says every owner has their own personal reasons as to why they can't comfort their pets in their final moments - whether it's because they're trying to shield their children from the pain or they simply can't handle seeing their pet that way. In an open letter on Reddit, the vet explained how she steps up to comfort animals who have been dropped off at her centre to be euthanised - and how she tries to make it a calm experience for them with no pain or discomfort.
She doesn't want anybody to feel guilt for not staying in the room for their pet's final moments (stock photo) (Getty Images/Westend61)She said: "I hold them from the moment they come in until the moment their heart stops beating.
"I tell them that you loved them so so much and that they were the best dog or cat.
"I cradle them in my arms and rub their head. I tell them it's going to be OK. It's OK - I stay."
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After the procedure is over, she makes sure their body is handled with "dignity" and they remain with their belongings - such as their favourite blanket, toys and love letters from their owners.
"Sometimes you are devastated leaving and sometimes you act like you couldn't care less. But I care and they deserve to have someone at the end," she added.
She makes sure it's a calm experience with no pain or discomfort (stock photo) (Getty Images/RooM RF)"Sometimes you request things to be sent to the crematorium with them. They always get sent and handled with dignity."
The vet went on to explain how she has been left in tears over the notes some owners write their pets.
In them, they share how much they love them and try to explain why they couldn't stay in the room with them in their final moments.
She recalled: "The cat you dropped off had me holding back tears. Your small children wrote him cards to take with him and his favourite toys.
"I held him in my lap and read those cards to him while I waited for the sedation to take effect.
"Please know that in their final moments they left this earth loved and with dignity. If you can’t stay, I will."
She sometimes cries when putting an animal down because she knows how much they'll be missed (stock photo) (Getty)While most users took the opportunity to thank the vet for her kindness and compassion, others shared stories about their final moments with their beloved pets.
One user said: "I understand why some wouldn’t want to stay with their pets during euthanasia.
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"I haven't done it with any of my past pets which I often feel remorse for but it's something that I just can't seem to get myself to do because the thought of it makes me so distraught.
"They've always had one of my family members present and my family understand it's an issue that I'm working to overcome and don't give me any shame for it.
"It's just so nice to know that there are people like you that are there for them when their owners can't or choose not to be. You truly are an amazing person."
Another user added: "I stayed with my baby girl, as did my mum and stepdad. Couldn't bring my siblings, but we let them both say goodbye to her before we went to the vet.
"I held her the whole time, and I think she knew. She had that big dumb smile on her face, as if she was trying to tell me it was going to be OK.
"I had that dog since I was four and she lived 16 years. But, I know she left feeling loved, while I hugged her close."
A third user said: "Animals are there for us throughout everything, they give us unconditional love even when we feel we don't deserve it.
"They are such pure and beautiful creatures.
"It doesn't matter how hard I'd find it, how much it would break my heart to see it, I refuse to not be by my dog or cat's side during those final minutes. I could not leave them alone and scared like that."
Do you have a dog story to share? Email paige.freshwater@reachplc.com.