It’s probably not the most discussed topic as it’s never a nice thing to have to do but maybe it’s good to know what to expect if you have to have a pet put to sleep.
Recently I went through this experience as I had to take my Mum’s dog Bertie to the vets to be put down. My parents have had lots of dogs over the years and he was the last that was left of three that were together. Bertie was a fairly quiet little dog, probably a little overshadowed by his brother and sister when they were alive and a Daddy’s boy. We’re not entirely sure what he was or even how old he was as my parents got him as a rescue but maybe 13, 14 or even 15 so quite a good age. He looked a bit like a scruffy bichon frise. My Dad was the main dog walker but sadly he passed away a couple years ago so my Mum would give Bertie little walks and my sister and I gave him longer ones when we could.
Although he was struggling to walk as he had arthritis, I gave him a short walk, knowing it might be his last, so he could have a good sniff. We slowly made it around the block and back into the house before getting into the car and setting off for the vets.
Making the decision to have a pet put down is always very hard but I think my Mum knew it was the right thing to do for him before we even got there. He couldn’t really see or hear very well and had signs of dementia in addition to his arthritis. The vet talked through some other options but explained they weren’t really going to extend his life by very long, plus they may not even work and he could suffer more so my Mum made the difficult decision to go with euthanasia.
I’m sure that vets don’t enjoy this side of their job but she couldn’t have been nicer. She explained what would happen and the consent forms were signed and a box selected for his ashes which will later be buried with the other two dogs and my Dad.
Bertie was taken out of the room to have a cannula (a plastic tube that is inserted into a vein) put in his leg so they could inject him. As he was old his veins were very thin and they had a bit of trouble getting the cannula in. It took a little while so a lovely nurse came in and explained exactly what was goin on and Bertie wasn’t aware of any of it as he had been sedated. She even got my Mum a chair as we’d been standing a while which was very kind.
Eventually they managed to get the cannula in and Bertie was brought back into the room and laid on a soft blanket that the nurse had brought in earlier. The vet left the room and we had a few minutes with him for kisses and cuddles and to tell him how much we loved him and what a good boy he’d been. The vet came back into the room and gently injected him, again explaining that he might let out some sighs as the injection took effect.
It just took a few seconds then the vet listened to his heart and told us it had stopped. She went out of the room again and we spent a little bit longer with him, tears streaming down our faces. I took his lead off him and he let out another sigh which was a bit weird but the vet had explained this might happen.
When we’d said our goodbyes, we left the room with Bertie on the table. They don’t ask you to pay the bill on the way out, which is kind as it would be quite hard through all the tears.
Being a pet lover I have had to do this a few times now and it never gets easier but all the staff make it as bearable as possible and they couldn’t have been nicer. It was the right decision for Bertie and he is resting easy now.
RIP Bertie.
Thanks to the Sprinz and Nash Vets