Getting your dog pts

nala2012

So the time has nearly come to have Bruce put to sleep. Over a month ago he stopped eating and could barely walk without falling over. I brought him to the vet, he diagnosed problem with his back and gave him couple injections and said if he didn't improve dramatically it'd be best to have him put to sleep. He did improve and was put on a number of painkillers but lately he's lost his appetite and developed colitis. He's on 4 different meds as well as regular methadone injections but it's obvious hes still in pain. I've made appointment for 3rd Jan.
My dilemma now is if I let my other dog see him after he's died or not. They've been together everyday since I adopted Bruce nearly 4 years ago. I've tried googling but so many different opinions come up. Anyone have personal experience of this? Nala is nearly 7 and has seen a good few fosters come and go if that makes a difference

Bells21

I remember attending a seminar a few years back with a vet. She recommended that other dogs should be allowed to sniff and see the body of their companion after they've passed as, they are better able to make sense of it.
I'm sorry that you've had to make this decision for your dog.

aonb

Poor you, its a horrible horrible time, but you're doing whats best for your dog.
We had our two 17 year olds put to sleep a year ago. Our younger dog, who had always had the two oldies around was very dependant on them in every way. We let him see and smell his best pal as we prepared to bury him. He sniffed and looked at us. He didnt seem to understand really I think but watched with some interest and it didnt seem to upset him. I think he didnt go looking for Pepper after that though, which was the best outcome. I think its a good idea to let you dog see his friends body.
Best wishes to you for the horrible day, but its all over so quickly thankfully.

Dingle_berry

I'm so sorry about Bruce. Every dog is different but allowing his pal to see his body will most likely help him to adjust. Which will also help you to adjust.
Dingle spent every minute of every day his his best friend by his side. She died suddenly and we allowed him to see her body. he tried to wake her and snuggled her. It was hard to watch and he still misses her but he doesn't search for her. He seems to know that she's gone

It's a terrible event in a pet owners life and an awfully hard adjustment. Even with other pets to care for.

Count Down

On a slightly lighter note, I remember our 9 year old Labrador died after a long bout of diabetes. His best friend from up the road, Misty, came looking for him a couple of days later, after I'd buried him in the back garden.
She whined, sniffed around a bit and found the grave, whereupon she started to vigorously dig up the grave until she'd uncovered the corpse, the cur, thus nullifying my half hour's digging in the rocky soil.
Despite replacing the earth she kept coming back and repeating the performance until I placed several concrete blocks on top of the gravesite.
Maybe if I'd let her sniff the recently dead body before burial she'd have understood that he was dead and allowed him to rest in peace....:eek:

stephrousseau

My dog was in the room when my other dog was PTS at home just a cuople of weeks ago. After he had died, I asked the vet to leave the room so she could go and sniff him if she wanted to. She didn't want to go over to him, but I knew by her that she knew he was dead. She seemed very accepting of it. I think it would be worse for them not knowing.

Really sorry, it's a horrible time!

Ms Doubtfire1

always allow them to say goodbye if you can in any way.

nala2012

Just to update this. I ended up letting nala see Bruce. We brought her with us to the vets but she stayed in the car and we put his body in the boot when we were coming home. The boot is open so she could smell him and when we got home I let her sniff him.
I was speaking to a dog behaviorist and she said she would do the same and to leave his bed and other things where they are for a while. She said I would probably see a change in her behaviour but to try and keep her routine the same. To be honest I think she was more upset because I was crying and she seems fine with it all though it's early days.
I've attached a pic of Bruce if anyone wants to see my gorgeous boy ðŸ™

jomalone14

Hope you're ok nala2012, my condolences, it's such a rotten time.

Gorgeous pic of Bruce. Run free little man.

cocker5

so sorry for your loss - what a gorgeous wee fella XX

look after yourself