has anyone ever been present when they had their pet euthanized?

THE KOD

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"Beau"
by Jimmy Stewart
He never came to me when I would call
Unless I had a tennis ball,
Or he felt like it,
But mostly he didn't come at all.

When he was young
He never learned to heel
Or sit or stay,
He did things his way.

Discipline was not his bag
But when you were with him things sure didn't drag.
He'd dig up a rosebush just to spite me,
And when I'd grab him, he'd turn and bite me.

He bit lots of folks from day to day,
The delivery boy was his favorite prey.
The gas man wouldn't read our meter,
He said we owned a real man-eater.

He set the house on fire
But the story's long to tell.
Suffice it to say that he survived
And the house survived as well.

On the evening walks, and Gloria took him,
He was always first out the door.
The Old One and I brought up the rear
Because our bones were sore.

He would charge up the street with Mom hanging on,
What a beautiful pair they were!
And if it was still light and the tourists were out,
They created a bit of a stir.

But every once in a while, he would stop in his tracks
And with a frown on his face look around.
It was just to make sure that the Old One was there
And would follow him where he was bound.

We are early-to-bedders at our house--
I guess I'm the first to retire.
And as I'd leave the room he'd look at me
And get up from his place by the fire.

He knew where the tennis balls were upstairs,
And I'd give him one for a while.
He would push it under the bed with his nose
And I'd fish it out with a smile.

And before very long
He'd tire of the ball
And be asleep in his corner
In no time at all.

And there were nights when I'd feel him
Climb upon our bed
And lie between us,
And I'd pat his head.

And there were nights when I'd feel this stare
And I'd wake up and he'd be sitting there
And I reach out my hand and stroke his hair.
And sometimes I'd feel him sigh
and I think I know the reason why.

He would wake up at night
And he would have this fear
Of the dark, of life, of lots of things,
And he'd be glad to have me near.

And now he's dead.
And there are nights when I think I feel him
Climb upon our bed and lie between us,
And I pat his head.

And there are nights when I think
I feel that stare
And I reach out my hand to stroke his hair,
But he's not there.

Oh, how I wish that wasn't so,
I'll always love a dog named Beau.
 

ga_ben

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Weasie so sorry to hear about your cat. I haven't had to put a pet down yet but I dread the day I have to put down my Aussie Mr. Twiz. I would definitely want to be with him at the end.
 

THE KOD

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I think I had a bad experience and a vet that was just stupid.

but when I think about it, I am sitting in the room and telling my animal that trusts me above all others that its ok, everything is going to be all right,

and then their dead.

something dont seem quite right about that memory
 

StevieD

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Sorry to hear about your friend Wease.

We had to put my buddy Frisbee down a couple of years ago. Frisbee was a cat about 15 years old. He was suffering and we had to do it.
'
Before letting me in the vet prepared him for the shot. He put one of those things in his foot like they give you when they take blood.

They let me in before they gave him the shot. I could feel Frisbee thinking what is this thing in my foot.
i was holding him when they gave him the shot. Like Scott, I can still see the look he gave me just before he went unconscious.
I am glad Frisbee was not alone with strangers at the time. As hard as it is I have another cat now and if that time comes again I will want to be with him.
 

StevieD

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I think I had a bad experience and a vet that was just stupid.

but when I think about it, I am sitting in the room and telling my animal that trusts me above all others that its ok, everything is going to be all right,

and then their dead.

something dont seem quite right about that memory

Scott, my father is 84 years old and when he was a kid he had to bring one of his dogs to the Vet to put him down. He said he still feels bad to this day. He feels like he let the dog down because the dog depended on him. I guess these are feelings we will live with forever. But if it didn't hurt then it wouldn't be real.
 

gardenweasel

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Sorry to hear about your friend Wease.

We had to put my buddy Frisbee down a couple of years ago. Frisbee was a cat about 15 years old. He was suffering and we had to do it.
'
Before letting me in the vet prepared him for the shot. He put one of those things in his foot like they give you when they take blood.

They let me in before they gave him the shot. I could feel Frisbee thinking what is this thing in my foot.
i was holding him when they gave him the shot. Like Scott, I can still see the look he gave me just before he went unconscious.
I am glad Frisbee was not alone with strangers at the time. As hard as it is I have another cat now and if that time comes again I will want to be with him.

i remember you discussing it here,stevie..remember how upset you were.....derrick,very cute pup,there...g.l....

kelly,julene,ben,kick,mags,z,btb,bubbas,everybody...somehow it makes a guy feel better hearing from people that have been there...

thanks so much....g`night..
 

ripken8

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gw

this isn't easy to say. have a dog cal (callie) and a cat ripken, not sure why I named them that (lol). ripkens' kidneys were failing, the vet said it was only a matter of time as he had stopped eating. knew I had to put him down. there was no way the wife would be there and I knew there was no way I wouldn't. made the appointment and as soon as I walked in I told them I had to pay first realizing that this was going to be a difficult situation. the vet told me exactly what would happen and she wasn't wrong. she said she would inject him and in seconds his arms and legs would spread out and he would be gone. I was holding him on the table and he was watching her as she was putting the needle in. then at the last second he looked at me like he knew, spread his arms and legs out and was gone. his eyes remained open, looking at me, which absolutely crushed me. I had no idea I was going to have that reaction but I certainly wasn't about to make any apologies for it. I loved that cat. knowing now what I know about it I wouldn't change a thing. this was a couple of months ago and I can still see him looking at me which, oddly enough, has a calming affect on me.
only problem is my dog cal is very old and her body seems like it is beginning to shut down. had her at the vet last week and they said I am going to have to make a decision soon. this one is going to be ten times worse. she's 14 and it seems like she's been with me forever. this is hard for me as I write this and I can only tell you one more thing. I couldn't imagine having to do this and not be with her. I owe her that much. this isn't to say that everyone should do this. to each his own. but for me I wouldn't have it any other way.
good luck gw, prayers are with you...
 

bjfinste

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Absolutely be there and absolutely take care of all payment in advance. Your cat won't have the slightest clue what is happening and will just sort of "fall asleep" peacefully. Your presence will go a long way keeping her from being scared and making her last moments on earth peaceful. Unfortunately, the same can't be said for you as far as being calm and feeling peaceful. It's such a hard thing to deal with... the death of a loved one, even those of the furry variety. Just know that you are doing everything you can to make it as easy for her as possible. And try to take some solace (as hard as it will be) to remember that doing this will prevent her from significant pain and struggles in the future.

It's a strange relationship we have with our pets. All they want is some attention and to be cared for. In return, they give you unconditional love. It doesn't matter if you are rich or poor, fat or skinny, black or white, good looking or ugly, short or tall. It is just pure, unconditional love. And that just makes it that much harder when you have to say goodbye.
 

THE KOD

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Scott, my father is 84 years old and when he was a kid he had to bring one of his dogs to the Vet to put him down. He said he still feels bad to this day. He feels like he let the dog down because the dog depended on him. I guess these are feelings we will live with forever. But if it didn't hurt then it wouldn't be real.

.....................................................

I can understand when you put it like that
 

Juji-gatame

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My cat lived from the time I got her at 4yrs of age untill I was a senior in college 23 yrs old. She had a bad tooth and the vet extracted it and found that a tumur was the cause. She was unable to fully open her mouth and had to slurp up her food to stay alive for the next several weeks. It was heartbreaking. One day I went home to visit and everyone was depressed and I knew they put my cat down. I wasn't there for her and I was deeply saddened. Good luck with your decision. I know it won't be easy:sadwave:
 

Juji-gatame

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Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

found on rainbowsbridge.com
 

Mjolnir

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one of the worst days of my life also. a few weeks ago i put down my German Shepherd Thor. he was a few weeks shy of turning 13. i looked into his eyes as he was leaving and told him i loved him.
sure do miss him.
 

Skulnik

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GW, we had the privilege of owning the sweetest Yorky anyone would want to have, Cocoa,he lived 16 years and was a JOY to have around, it's a hard choice to make to be there til the end, I couldn't do it, I had to sign his death certificate before I handed him over, I didn't know I had to do that, I cried all the way home, I just lost a good friend.
 
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bleedingpurple

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I did it wiith my mom's boston terrier about 6 years ago. I too was crying like a bitch and I will do it again for my dogs too. I am an emotional shit. I cried when my ex - GFs cat died and I don't care much for cats.
 

DOGS THAT BARK

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Bummer Weisie

Had one put to sleep last year and couldn't bear the thought of watching him put to sleep.
I had same answer to all 3 questions vet asked--Nope!
You want to be there when we put him to sleep
You want to see him before we put him to sleep.
You want to pick him up after we put him to sleep.

Was best way for me to handle it--the less sad visuals to remember--the better.
 

hedgehog

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May 29, 2008 was the saddest day of my life so far, when my wife and I had to put our 9 year old cocker spaniel to sleep. She had kidney failure. I am still sad to this day and miss her more than you can believe. she slept in our bed every night. Luckily we have a male cocker he's 8 and he is now my best friend. It is very peaceful and very humane, she felt no pain at all.

gardenweasel, sorry to hear the news and may god bless your family and your cat
 

jr11

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I didn't read through everyone's post, but I would recommend getting the vet to come to your house. About 1 week after I lost my wife, my first german shepherd who I gave to my parents years back needed to be put down as her hips/legs went at 14 years of age. Very sad moment, but much easier than trying to get her to the vet, and in the comforts of your own home. Simplier process, one shot to put her in an extreme calm state, and the other to put her under for good. My dad elected to get her ashes to bury in the backyard. Good luck.

jr11
 

bleedingpurple

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May 29, 2008 was the saddest day of my life so far, when my wife and I had to put our 9 year old cocker spaniel to sleep. She had kidney failure. I am still sad to this day and miss her more than you can believe. she slept in our bed every night. Luckily we have a male cocker he's 8 and he is now my best friend. It is very peaceful and very humane, she felt no pain at all.

gardenweasel, sorry to hear the news and may god bless your family and your cat

Your life has been very blessed then if that has been the saddest day of your life.
 

ces

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Only thing I could add is if you go to office, call ahead to make sure vet did not have to leave on some emergency. I had an appt. but vet not in and I had to leave cat due to my work. She was scared and I was very upset that I couldn't be there after 20 yrs. of companionship. Cried all the way home from work and that evening because I felt so guilty.
 
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