animals in their last moments has been very different. I’ve worked in vet clinics for about 5 years now, been through a lot of euthanasias, many of them without the owners present for part or any of it. I have never once seen them searching for their owners or being visibly distressed they aren’t there.
I am not in the business of judging people for what they can and cannot emotionally handle. The owner not being present is in no way shape or form an accurate measure of how much they love the animal. They’ve been with the animal caring for them for quite possibly their entire life–why is all of that time and care just swept under the rug because they couldn’t bear the thought of watching their pet die in front of their eyes?
Sometimes euthanasia doesn’t go smoothly. Sometimes they take a few deep gasps after they’ve already passed. Sometimes they tremble and twitch. Sometimes the sedative drug makes them disoriented for a few seconds and they cry out in confusion. I’m saying these things to emphasize the point that sometimes it’s better to not see. Sometimes it’s better to have the last memory be of stroking their fur, telling them you love them, and then stepping out.
No matter what the owner chooses, we give them love, affection, and yummy food. I can’t tell you how many owners feel terrible for bringing their pet in for euthanasia in the first place, and you can just see how hard it is for them. You can see in their face that they’re needing someone to give them permission to leave and mourn without seeing all the details of their pet’s passing. And I always tell them the same thing:
“Whatever you are comfortable with, that is okay. No matter what you choose to do, they won’t be alone. We will be with them every step of the way.”
