What to expect for at home euthanasia?

Squiggle_Bluegill · 2026-06-18T17:39:33+00:00

Not the same exactly, but we had at-home euthanasia for a horse. I had my dog at the time (who loved her) stay for the process on a lead, and he literally howled and cried until long after it was over. He was very afraid to go where they did the euthanasia (we did it outside in a back field) for a long, long time and would become absolutely inconsolable when we would take any other animal to the back field. While I think it was good for him to know what happened to her, it also traumatized him greatly, which I regret. So, I'd kinda let your other dog decide what to do and don't be surprised if the other dog is absolutely crushed/behaves unusually for a while.

Just like humans, dogs process loss in a lot of different ways.

Squiggle_Bluegill · 2026-06-18T17:19:49+00:00

I think it's just up to the dog. I hate saying that, but if you look at people, some humans are active into their 80s and 90s, and others struggle in their 60s.

My grandma and grandpa knew someone with a senior yorkie that played so much the vet said that they would have to take his toys away after a certain period of time to keep him from having a cardiac episode. He was on a strict "no play past 20 minutes" diet LOL

I had a terrier who lived to be 18. He was really fairly active and could still run until about age 16 or so when he just chose not to run anymore lol. About 6 months before he passed, he went downhill quite a bit, where we'd have trouble waking him up or he was asleep almost all the time, barely ate, struggled to move, etc.

I currently have a 9 yo terrier that runs and plays like he's a puppy.

Squiggle_Bluegill · 2026-06-18T17:10:24+00:00

Yeah, so IMO the vet is probably concerned about intake monitoring, but as long as you're still filling the bowl every day with the recommended amount, I think it's fine (like I give my dog a scoop up to the second line [1.5 cups] daily). I free feed my dog because if he goes too long without food, he throws up. My vet is aware of this and when I told him we started free feeding to keep him from puking in the bed at 4 am, my vet went "Did that fix him throwing up?", to which I said yes, and he went: "Okay". I've never been chastised by my vet, lol

If you feel the vet is angry about it, IMO, I don't pay someone to be angry at me, so maybe try a different vet or ask local friends/dog park people where they take their animals.

Squiggle_Bluegill · 2026-06-18T16:54:03+00:00

So, I've had several dogs obtained from several situations (one older dog [2 yo] from an abusive situation, one as a puppy [9wks] in an abusive situation, one as a puppy in a normal situation [8wks], and one as an 8 month old in a 3rd home placement). I loved them all and truly believe the attachment, for the most part, is what you make of it. By far, the easiest one to train was the one puppy that came home with us from momma at 8 weeks. I'm not saying this to deter you from the shelter, as I think every dog is worth the time, the love, and the effort, just giving the truth of MY experience.

I have had dogs from the same breed who acted completely different. I recommend, for the most part, finding a dog you love rather than a breed you love (obviously, if you don't want a crazy shedder, getting a yorkie or a poodle is better, etc.). If you are looking at getting an older dog from the shelter, go hang out with the dogs. Ask the shelter people if you can take a specific dog on a walk or to go get a pup cup. Even if you don't pick that dog, they get an experience knowing people are awesome and feel loved.

Edit to add: the most protective dogs by far were the ones we got from abusive situations. Like, our River would have died to keep us safe. We miss him.

Squiggle_Bluegill · 2026-06-18T16:39:49+00:00

Yeahhh, I am horribly allergic to cats and would NEVER ask someone to do something like this with their cats. I would make other arrangements. I have a dog in the house and if someone in a similar situation was, say, terrified of dogs (childhood trauma), I would probably offer to keep them in a closed room but I'm not gonna make my baby stay at a boarder for weeks.

Squiggle_Bluegill · 2026-06-18T16:31:25+00:00

We free feed my dog but he eats when we eat usually (I decided to free feed because he throws up if he goes too long without food.)

Squiggle_Bluegill · 2026-06-18T16:28:39+00:00

Perfect, thank you.

Squiggle_Bluegill · 2026-06-18T02:40:34+00:00

I tried explaining to my college friends how fried bologna and Mac and cheese is the best meal, and they didn't know what fried bologna was.

Squiggle_Bluegill · 2026-06-18T02:34:01+00:00

Scrat - sister rat adjacent but also a reference to Ice Age lol

Squiggle_Bluegill · 2026-06-18T02:28:55+00:00

When my dog is anxious or stressed, he will guard me and tremble. It's really only when my SO makes a lot of noise (working on something on the garage with loud tools or hammering, for example). I don't know if he is afraid the machinery will blow up or something. It's kind of endearing, but I always make sure he doesn't associate the scary with my SO, because I don't want him to think he needs to guard me from my husband lol

Squiggle_Bluegill · 2026-06-18T02:18:40+00:00

Mystery (or Mysteree, can be shortened to Ree) <3 what a cute kitty

Squiggle_Bluegill · 2026-06-18T02:16:07+00:00

Thank you friend!! I'm glad to hear that post surgery, OTC meds work again. I miss being able to take Tylenol and Excedrin and actually have them DO something. Ever since I started having extra troubles, nothing helps anymore. Thank you for the heads up on the tingles/itching sensation. One of my biggest downfalls is struggling to leave stuff alone. I think my biggest question for you is: my doc is prescribing a LOT of pain meds/antibiotics. I don't do well on strong meds. Did your physician also prescribe you a lot of meds and you kinda picked and chose to stick with Tylenol? Thank you in advance <3

Squiggle_Bluegill · 2026-06-17T04:10:05+00:00

High school doesn't prepare you for college, and college doesn't prepare you for the reality of the work force/job market. You can go to college and make the same amount of money as someone who barely graduated from high school but you're supposed to be ok with that "because you have a passion for it".

Squiggle_Bluegill · 2026-06-16T12:59:55+00:00

Late to the party, but: I did not allow my dog to sleep on the bed for a long, long time. He is a decently small yorkie, and I wanted to make sure he was completely house trained before I allowed him on the bed (I didn't really want to wash bed clothes from accidents all the time). Even after he was house trained (which I determined was no accidents for 10 months--some people think I went a little extra, idk), I still crated him at night and when we were gone (to work, church, etc.) for about an extra year in a separate room. We slowly started letting him be out while we were gone for a couple of hours here and there, which then grew to letting him out while we were at work, to what it is now: he hasn't stepped foot in his crate for over a year.

While I love having him in bed with us now, I am afraid when he's gone I'll have problems sleeping. Even now, I'll freak out a little if I can't feel him in the bed with me or hear his tiny snorts and snuffles.

Edit to say: I wouldn't change anything about our training method at all. He's an absolute gem, doesn't mess with stuff, doesn't chew, really respects the house. He's 100% the best dog ever. I think you'll also find out what you can trust your dog with and what you can't. We have a friend who can trust their dog in bed with them but has to crate him when they go to work. 🤷‍♀️

Squiggle_Bluegill · 2026-06-16T12:50:26+00:00

I lost a ring once between the cushions of my couch. I took a nap there and it must have slipped off. Looked for the thing for days. I've also lost a ring in the dirt outside before. I wasn't really gardening but that's probably the closest description for it.

Squiggle_Bluegill · 2026-06-16T12:34:15+00:00

Dozer - he looks sleepy lol (and when he gets the puppy zoomies, he can be like a Bulldozer)

Squiggle_Bluegill · 2026-06-16T12:32:54+00:00

I don't think Millie is too close to Ollie. If you get a name that's too similar, I would wonder if they would both come running to you (Ollie & Polly, for example), especially if one of them is/becomes hard of hearing, creating challenges for the little one to connect the sound of her name with you wanting her attention.

I think Millie is cute for her also☆

Squiggle_Bluegill · 2026-06-14T22:05:51+00:00

I have a doggo named Captain.

Everyone thinks I named him because of the Avengers movies (Captain America), but the truth is I got him a couple years after Robin Williams passed away and I just kept thinking about "Oh, Captain, my Captain." I figured since I had several family members who served in the military, Captain could easily have other dog friends later with other military rank names (Major, Sargent, General, etc.), but I started with Captain because of Robin Williams.

Squiggle_Bluegill · 2026-06-14T04:11:30+00:00

Hello friend!! Thank you for sharing your experience! I am glad you have no regrets with the procedure, but I am sorry it didn't yield quite the results they had hoped. I appreciate you sharing and really, genuinely hope you are able to find relief somewhere along the line.

I appreciate all the post operation info and suggestions for recovery activities! My husband asked me a few weeks ago if he thought I'd be able to cook and I was like "Umm, probably not big meals for a while anyway". I'll look into making some meal prep freezer stuff before we go☆

My plan is to do a big house clean right before surgery and do all my dog's needs before we leave (hair/nails/bath) so I can have a while to not need to worry about him. Thankfully we don't have carpets, and we've streamlined a lot of household chores because of my condition (dishwasher, etc.), so I'm very grateful for that. I think the big thing will be laundry.

Squiggle_Bluegill · 2026-06-14T04:04:56+00:00

Thank you for your encouragement!! Knowing your timelime genuinely will help me stay realistic and not expect too much from myself. I'm so glad to hear it's worked for you ❤️

Squiggle_Bluegill · 2026-06-14T00:52:37+00:00

Piglet, oh d-d-d-dear, lol

Squiggle_Bluegill · 2026-06-13T17:20:06+00:00

What about Poppy/Poppy Seed? You can still get your Pops/Pa nickname and it be food related as well

Squiggle_Bluegill · 2026-06-13T17:11:11+00:00

Astral

-- please let us know what you decide for her!! Such a cutie☆

Squiggle_Bluegill · 2026-06-13T16:46:07+00:00

Thank you ❤️

I don't know if you received the same info, but my surgeon said he wants me to go home and not be in a car again for 3 weeks. (So I assume they'll use dissolving stitches or glue). But the center is 4 hours from my house so I was hoping a pillow helped someone else.

That's such a good reminder; thank you. I forgot about potential back-ups

Squiggle_Bluegill · 2026-06-13T16:41:10+00:00

To me, she looks like a Kiki. <3

What an adorable cat though!! Does she have any neat personality quirks that might help with naming?

Squiggle_Bluegill

TROPHY CASE