A vet has revealed their best advice for if you have to get your pet put down.
Losing a pet is heartbreaking, and quite frankly I cried a lot harder during Marley and Me and War Horse than I ever did over any films portraying human deaths.
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A vet has since taken to Reddit to share some wisdom with pet owners about the best way to treat their pet if they've gotten so poorly that they need to be euthanised.
While the vet reflected that it can 'be hard to say goodbye,' they stressed that it's 'hell for them [the pet],' as reported by The Mirror.
They said: "They already don’t like the vet, they’re confused, they’re scared, they’re sad and they’re looking for you when they take their last breath.
"I can try to provide them as much love and comfort as I humanly can but at the end of the day, I’m a stranger to them."
The vet reflected on when a 13-year-old dog was dropped off by their owner at 9.00am despite the vet not being back until 'well after 6.00pm' because the woman was busy 'on farm calls all day'.
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They said: "She was too busy to bring her back later, so she left her sweet girl to be alone all day before dying.
"I kept her with me for most of the day, took her for a small walk, bought her a cheeseburger and donut on my lunch and laid on the ground and cuddled her while she cried, scared and confused.
"I kissed her and told her she was a good girl while she crossed the rainbow bridge, but her eyes never stopped looking for her family."
Other users outpoured into the comments with their own experiences in having to put down their beloved pets.
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One said: "I recently held my sweet little angel baby as her body went limp in my arms.
"A piece of me died that day but she was surrounded by love and died peacefully in my arms feeling safe.
"I cannot fathom not being there for her as she drew her last breaths. We truly don’t deserve the love, adoration and loyalty of dogs."
While acknowledging that the pandemic resulted in some pet owners having 'absolutely no choice' on whether to be with their pet in its last moments or not, the vet concluded: "Dogs know what’s happening, don’t do this to them. Be there when they cross that bridge. It won’t kill you, I promise."
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If you see an animal in distress and/or in need of help, contact the RSPCA's 24-hour animal cruelty line on 0300 1234 999 or visit their website for further advice
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677
Poppy Bilderbeck