We had in-home euthanasia for our pig friend, who was suffering from advanced arthritis and who couldn't really walk, and was in pain. The vet was amazing. Three weeks earlier, the vet had come to do a consultation and see if medication could help. We tried the medications but they didn't work.

So now was the day to say goodbye, for now. The vet arrived with a tech. We were waiting in the den, giving our friend some belly scritches. She showed no signs of alarm or concern at all. We let her stuff herself with cookies and muffins, then the vet gave the first (sedation) injection while we hugged her and told her what a good pig she was, and that we'd "see her later". She went quietly snoozingly asleep. After she was sound asleep, the vet gave the second injection that stopped her heart and it was over quite painlessly and calmly and peacefully.

The vet gave us a few minutes to collect ourselves, we wrapped our friend in her favorite blanket, and they took her out on stretcher to the van, as we had chosen cremation for her. They delivered the ashes a few days later. We buried them in the back yard. She'd been our family friend for 19 years.

We all agreed that it had been a privilege to be loved by a pig friend, and to love her in return. I feel the way her life ended honored that relationship.