I learned something from experience, that was very traumatic for me. I learned the do’s and don’ts of laying a friend down. I hope to god I never have to do it again in my lifetime.
My babies name was Audrey. She was a Miniature Dalmatian. She was the sweetest animal I have ever met. She didn’t jump on people; she wasn’t a licker at all, and she guarded me from intruders. She was also 17 years old, and had liver cancer. She got sick on wednesday of last week. By Tuesday, they informed me there was no hope.
Now here is where the Di’s and donuts fall into place.
DON’T:
Believe it when they say, it’s painless (if you can help it) fall apart badly (this will stress your animal. Believe it when they tell you your baby won’t know what’s happening (try not to anyway) feel guilty.
DO:
Try to comfort your baby as much as possible, lots of hugs and love try to hold everything together until the final release. Tell your baby how much you love them. Bring someone with you to drive you back if needed; try to be there when it is done. (You will regret not being there later.).
Be prepared for (and these I DIDN’T KNOW)
you can possibly ask for it to be done outside, so your baby’s last minutes will be spent in sunshine and fresh air, instead of a sterile office. Wrap a towel around their lower half before hand. It’s needed the twitching. They still try to smell the air and look at you. They don’t stop till they release their lower half. (it’s the nicest way I can put it) the heaviness after the shot. It’s what they call “dead weight”
for them to yelp/meow/and or bite, in pain from the shot.
I held Audrey in my lap. The doctor told me it would be painless. It wasn’t. She yelped and bit me. She also buried her head in my armpit. She KNEW what had happened. She gave me a lick before she went. I sat on the grass with her for about 15 min after, because I couldn’t let go. This won’t prepare you for it. Even if I knew all of this before hand, I still wouldn’t have been prepared. I had no one with me either. I am amazed I made it home 30 miles in one piece.
If you are a vet, DON’T tell your customers that it is painless, and that the animal doesn’t know whats going on. ALSO if you are a vet. CHANGE THE WORDING. Our babies aren’t trashy. They don’t need to be “disposed” HORRIBLE DAMN WORD FOR IT!
I hope you never have to experience it.