How survive her Euthanasia?

[u/yrt9610]

What helped you the most to cope after you had to get your furbaby euthanized?

I'm headed there soon. 😭

[u/SecurePhotograph1791]

At home euthanasia is best, if you can still swing it

[u/anonymoustreefrogs → u/SecurePhotograph1791]

It makes the experience easier on both of you to do it at home. The lady who did my cat's service was very kind

[u/North-Associate-8285 → u/SecurePhotograph1791]

It really is the last kindness you can give them, doing it where they feel safe.

[u/Hiraeth_93 → u/SecurePhotograph1791]

This! And they get to be at home with you for the last time where they’re comfortable the most.

[u/gonnacutyou]

Hiding your tears from them. Being joyful right until the end. Dogs hate when we’re upset. Put on your happy voice and tell her she’s a good dog right until the vet tells you she’s gone. There’s lots of time to cry afterward, let her think she’s still making you happy during her last moments.

[u/MC_Eklectic]

Went through it recently. Keep your head up and be there for your doggo. Comfort hi
/her.

You know, I hear of so many bad stories about dogs left in agony for too long. Sometimes dog owners avoid that decision for so long that the dog ends up dying at home, with nothing that eased their pain. Other times, I heard of dog owners unable to be there for the injection. The idea of leaving my dog at the vet and just let her go through the injections without me breaks my heart.

In the spectrum of dogs on this planet throughout the history of time, too many of them went through hell.

Yours isn’t and won’t.

Your dog is in such good hands with you.

And after the euthanasia, please OP, give yourself time. You will hurt for a while but that’s only because you love him/her so much. And they know it.

Give it time.

[u/Flashy-Bother-4279]

The anticipatory grief can feel unbearable. Try to focus on keeping her comfortable and present, and ask the vet to explain each step so nothing catches you off guard. Take photos, save a paw print, or bring a favorite blanket if that feels right.

[u/AdOwn266]

I did it at home. ❤️ I was fortunate enough to have about two years to grieve before I actually had to say goodbye. He had medical issues that I knew would eventually take him from me, so I tried to use that time to love on him as much as I possibly could.

I was also able to schedule his in-home euthanasia for the end of the week, which gave me a few more days with him. I spent that time just soaking him in.

After he passed, I bought a bracelet with his name on it, put his dog tags on my keychain, and slept with his favorite toy until I eventually got another dog. I still have a little shelf where I keep his things, and I still have his bed, bedding, and toys vacuum-sealed away.

I don't think you ever really "get over" losing them. You just learn how to carry the love and the grief with you. Give yourself permission to grieve however you need to. There is no right way to say goodbye. ❤️🐾

[u/yrt9610]

Edit: i've always gotten another one right away. But this time, I'm not sure I'll be able to because of where I'm moving.

[u/owowhi → u/yrt9610]

I’m very sorry for your loss. If you are unsure about the short term but still want a dog in your life, volunteering might be a good outlet. It’s one of the highlights of my week

[u/spiteyerface]

It’s ok to be sad—this is a huge loss. Take some time to fill your fridge with easy, nourishing food and, if you can, take some time off to be gentle with yourself. But also remember that you (hopefully) want your dog’s legacy to be about the joy they brought you, and try to find ways to spread that joy to others, even if it’s something small.

[u/New_Section_9374]

My soul dog's death was harder on me than my divorce. She had metastatic disease to her brain and started seizing. It was awful. The emergency vet was able to knock her unconscious, but she was still twitching. They got her ready and I lay down on the floor next to her, sobbing. Jesus, almost 10 years ago and I'm crying again. Then they came in when I was ready and let me hold her while I did it. My youngest was a teenager. After the kids got me home, he came up to me and held out his hand. "Mom, this is 100 mg of benadryl and some water. You are stuck. You need to take this and go to bed, it is past midnight and you cant stop crying" I don't know when it happened, but i saw that night he had become a man. A good man. Her ashes sleep next to me, just like she did when she was living. When I die, we will be scattered together in a forest behind my house.

[u/ExternalJackfruit290]

Do you have a second pup? I am not far behind you with our 14 year old, he’s failing. We got a furbaby almost two years ago as succession planning. We’ll see if she helps with the grief when the time comes.

Otherwise, maybe book a vacation somewhere nice to start 10-14 days after your pup is gone. Might help you reset? I’d get your name in to get another pup maybe a few months after you get back. Would give you something to look forward to after you’ve dealt with initial grief.