A vet has spoken out about the importance of being by your dog's side when the time comes to have them put down.
For some people, having to make the decision to put their beloved pet dog down is one of the hardest calls they will ever have to make.
After years of unconditional love and affection, it goes against everything in our nature to allow the vet to finally put our four-legged friends to sleep. However, as any dog owner will tell you, it is ultimately the kindest thing to do. And although it can be heartbreaking at the time, it's all about sparing your dog days - maybe weeks - of pain and discomfort.
Nevertheless, the devastation of losing a loved one can be too much to bear for some people, which is why some dog owners will choose to not be present when their pets are being put down.
And although it may be tough, one vet has taken to social media to reveal why dog owners need to be with their pets when the time comes.
As reported by The Mirror, the unnamed vet took to Reddit to share the following important message for dog owners.
"It might be hard to say goodbye but it’s hell for them," they wrote. "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 then recalled how one woman had dropped off her 13-year-old dog to be put down, despite telling her that there would be no vet at the clinic all day.
"She insisted on leaving her there at 9am knowing that our vet wouldn’t be back until well after 6pm," the vet wrote, adding that the dog spent its final moments "desperately scanning the room for her owner".
"She was too busy to bring her back later, so she left her sweet girl to be alone all day before dying," the post adds.
The vet adds that they did their best to try and make the dog's final moments enjoyable - taking her for a short walk, giving her a cheeseburger, and even lying on the floor with her. However, they say that the dog was "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," they write. "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."
Saying goodbye to our dogs can be tragic and painful. But just remember all those times they've stayed by your side, and be at theirs when it truly counts.
