Being there

I know this is a tricky subject, but it’s something that keeps on popping up.  I found an article recently discussing the last few minutes of a dog’s life, inspired by observations from vets.

One of the hardest parts of having a dog is that we are in a position to choose euthanasia.  The message from the vets is clear, stay with your dog at the end, simply by being there you are making things so much better for them.  You have been the centre of your dog’s life, if you stay with them, hopefully holding them, they will naturally be more relaxed.  Otherwise, they could be in a strange room, with a strange person when they need you most.  Yes, sometimes it’s not possible, then the vet will do their best to make it okay for your dog.

When I was a child, having an animal put to sleep was a very private affair, we were certainly not invited to be there in person.  The animal was taken into a room away from you, it was very clinical, but things have really changed, thank goodness.  I remember being in a vet’s waiting room sitting on a hard wooden bench, sobbing, knowing what was going on behind a closed door.  

It was horrible.

When our beloved Wavey was put to sleep, we were all with her, holding her.  I seem to remember that the Teenager clipped the fur on her front leg where the injection went in, I might be wrong.  We made the decision together, we wanted to do right by her to the end.  She even wagged her tail shortly before she died.  I’m crying as I write this … she was so trusting, it was as though she handed us her body for safe keeping.  It was our final act of trust and I feel as though we got it about right for her.

Isn’t it rather wonderful that by simply being there at the end, we can make things so much better for our dogs.

Image:          Our beloved Wavey wagged her tail shortly before she died.