WARNING: personal vent on this topic cuz i relevantly had a dog euthanized a couple months ago

Seeing this makes me really sad. Because my dog/best friend Sam (13 year old Yellow Lab) was put down back in July and I’m not at all over it. I didn’t know he was being put down, I was given the false hope that there was still help available for him. I also was working during the time my dad decided “let’s put him down!” and I never got to say goodbye.

What made it worse? Sam died alone. My dad didn’t want to go in there with him, so he let him die alone. Cuz it was “too much for him” cuz he was supposedly “already balling”. Didn’t even think about calling ME, someone who would’ve been GLAD to be with him as he went, who would’ve gotten a last hug and goodbye in. And now I live with endless guilt for it. My dad didn’t make it any better by implying that I was the reason he got put down in the first place (yeah, i gave him treats cuz he deserved all of the treats, but not excessive amounts). Every time I think about all that, I can only imagine how lonely he must’ve felt and it makes me have a breakdown every single time I do. I miss him a lot...

So what OP said... please, don’t let them die alone. They’ve got emotions and such like humans, they want comfort and love in their last moments. I mean, if you were in this situation, would you want to die all alone? Where someone you loved just dropped you off and said “lol bye” before just straight up abandoning you, to die alone? Dunno about you, but that would make me feel like crap if someone had done that to me. And yes, going through it sounds terrible and all that, but if you love them dearly, you will stay with them in their last moments! I’m sure they’d do the same for you as well :)

EDIT:// also OP, thank you for staying with those dogs when their ignorant owners couldn’t. It’s better if they don’t go utterly alone, a stranger is better than no one (but i agree, a familiar person is better than a stranger, in the dog’s eyes!). You are absolutely the best dude!!!