Over the years I have had to have several of my pets put down. It is not an easy decision to make, but sometimes it is the only answer.
I have always stayed with my dog or cat when it is being done.
I had a vet tell me once that one of the hardest things for her to do, was to put an animal to sleep without an owner being present. She said the animal would look around the room searching for their loved one. Most of the time these animals are in pain, they are in a strange place, they're scared, confused and just want the comfort of their trusted friend. She said it breaks her heart when she sees this.
It breaks mine just thinking about it.
But that doesn't mean that because someone doesn't stay with their pet that they don't love them. It is not something that everyone can handle.
When our german shepherd Bailey had to be put down due to bone cancer, my husband couldn't be there. He stayed in the outer room and I stayed with Bailey, but he loved and cried for that dog as much as I did.
If it's possible most of us will be at the bedside of our human loved ones as they leave us.
If we are capable of doing it, shouldn't we do the same for our animal loved ones?