The answer to the question we don't want to ask

Originally Posted by xocats

At our vet's hospital, once the decision is made, our vet gives the kitty an IM injection of a strong sedative.
The kitty slowly relaxes, then goes into a light sleep.

When the caregiver is ready, the vet injects, IV, a strong anesthetic that rapidly stops the heart.

My last two beloved kitties were released from their bodies as I held them and told them how much they were loved.
It was a gentle, peaceful way to die.

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This is how it is at my vet's and I have held and cried while many of my babies have left me and their pain behind. I would not have it any other way, I want them to know that I love them in their last moments

that poem is beautiful im all teary eyed, blaine asked what was wrong so i showed him and hes the same now too

i dread the day these two grow up and i may have to make that desicion

Personally I found the video comforting, as sad as it is. My cats are getting old, as much as I hate to think about it, and I'm dreading the day I might have to make that decision. It is nice to see how peaceful and quick it is.

I went ahead and watched it!!! I was amazed, even after having gone through this three months ago, how quickly Peaches was gone, and how painless and unnoticeable it was! It seemed like a slightly longer process to me, even though my Greta girl had a peaceful passing; I still couldn't believe how quickly Peaches went from stretching her forepaw to being gone. Watching it actually helped me again to know that I did the kindest thing for Greta! And afterwards, I went upstairs and stroked and held my vibrant, healthy, full of life five month old kitten and celebrated her life! She is up to seven pounds now and is my sunshine, and hopefully will be for many, many, many years to come!! It makes one appreciate life, that's for sure....

Your poem broke my heart...

Originally Posted by esrandall2000

Your poem broke my heart...

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Mine too...
Growing up we moved a lot, and every time we did, we left our pets with the new residents in the house - don't ask me why - just plain weird, but that's how it was... So I only lost one dog in my life, and I was a wreck - it felt like I was losing a child... I was broke, completely shattered...
This was in 1993-94... It took me 15 years to get over the fear of losing a pet, and get my baby Lucky.
I look at my babies and it terrifies me the thought of them dying on me. I prefer to not think about it now, but watching videos like this, or reading your poem... or reading the crossing the bridge session...
God, I can't start to think about it... A part of me will die with each of them - I just hope they have a wonderful, long and healthy life... I don't think I can do it - I really don't...

that poem was beautiful....i deal with euthanasia almost every day of my life and still watching that brought me to tears. Working at an emergency vet office,there are times you think you have become numb to the death of an animal because we witness it so much. Then there is always that one animal that tears your heart apart and you do cry as that animal is going to heaven and it makes you realize that you really are human. I never want that day to come for any of mine, I've been through it a million times with my own animals and ones at the hospital and it never gets any easier. If there is one thing I wish owners would realize is, please please spend those last minutes with your pet. S/He just gave you numerous amazing years of their life and your just going to leave them for the scary vet and tech to send off to heaven...this saddens me soooo much, more than anything else. I know its extremely difficult but please stay.

We stayed with our Cally girl last November, through it all.. it IS very hard, even when you want to be strong and brave for them, it was impossible for me NOT to break down when she was slipping away.

I feel very strongly that they DESERVE someone to be there with them for their last moments, to know that their humans love them until the very last. It IS hard, but I have heard SOOO many times how people regret NOT being there with their beloved pets.

Our vet cried with us and had to leave the room as soon as she was able to politely escape. I was a little surprised that she broke down too, but it did warm my heart to see a stranger so affected by our love for our little cat. My husband confessed that he had no idea what to expect and he found the situation more heart-wrenching than he had expected.

We cried together many times in our grief, and it is very healing to express your sadness and heartache when you lose a friend.

I was so straight-faced up until I read the last few posts on this thread and then I finally broke down. I haven't cried in a few months, about Cally, but this thread brought it all back. I think that's ok, because it's so sooo good to remember her shining eyes and her little feline smile.

I have mixed emotions on the video.

I wish i'd never watched it because it upset me just knowing that one day i'm going to be in that position, and when it happens i know i'll be a basket case

But then on the other hand it was comforting to see how quickly it was over for the poor cat that must have been in pain with bone cancer, because i know how much my brother suffered when he had it

I can't watch. The whole subject matter is really disturbing to me.

Originally Posted by mrblanche

This may sound sexist, but I'm glad the vet who did Wicket was a woman, and both the doctors at my current clinic are women. They seem to be more empathic, somehow.

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My vet is a woman and she only has cat patients, her hospital is called Just Cats. She is wonderful with them and she cried while giving my beloved Misty her injections, I am crying just thinking of it. I did watch the video, they do go quickly and looks like they suffer no pain.

I've witnessed this too often with my own.

What struck me about the video was how alert she was up to the final moment. Which makes me wonder if I wait too long for mine, or have the talks that I've had with them beforehand calmed them down? I force myself to remain calm, then let them know how much I love them, tell them not to be afraid and that they will be released from their pain soon. I hold their heads in my hands and calmly massage them until the end. And when I cry afterwards, it is in part from the pain of my loss, and relief that they no longer suffer.

And I tell myself everyday that dieing is a part of the natural order of things. I live with 7 senior cats and 2 senior dogs. I have to remind myself of this.

That is one video I don't even have to watch. The memory is still fresh in my mind of holding Sissy last July as she died peacefully and almost instantly in my arms. I will NEVER forget it.

OMG, after reading your poem and watching this video again, here I am sobbing, tears down my face... time to turn off the computer and spend time with my babies

I don't know why I started to watch that video, I couldn't finish. This is a pain that is too close to home right now and someday soon or hopefully not too soon, I will have to part with my dog, Wilbur. It is going to just kill me and seeing that video would be more than I could handle . I am going to be with Wilbur when he passes to the bridge, I do not know how, but I have to for him. He is the best friend I have ever had.

The poem was absolutely beautiful and I just can't stop crying right now....... I have had this experience before and it is the most painful experience of all. With Wilbur, I don't know how I will bear it..... The poem you wrote is just incredible and just beautiful.

Sorry, I can't watch it. I experienced that not so long a go with my kitties Princess and Baddy and also with my dog Roger who had cancer. I know if I watch it it will break me, so i prefer not to and keep the good memories of my babies without thinking about this.

In fact, I could never, ever make a video of one of my babies dying, I like to keep the nice videos of them happy, playing and having fun. I do respect the decision of the person who made the video, but i have been in that position and the last thing that would cross my mind will be to take my camera to the vet to record something like that.

It think that video would be reassuring to someone that hasn't had a pet euthanized. The vet that I am taking my cats to now is very good, both her personality and her knowledge of cats. If I have to have it done while still taking my cats to her I trust her. I know sometimes things don't go right but if there is any way possible to avoid that I know she will. I know bone cancer is one of if not the most painful ones for humans and it's probably the same for cats. That is one disease that I think there would be no question about when the time has come.

Originally Posted by Momofmany

I've witnessed this too often with my own.

What struck me about the video was how alert she was up to the final moment. Which makes me wonder if I wait too long for mine, or have the talks that I've had with them beforehand calmed them down? I force myself to remain calm, then let them know how much I love them, tell them not to be afraid and that they will be released from their pain soon. I hold their heads in my hands and calmly massage them until the end. And when I cry afterwards, it is in part from the pain of my loss, and relief that they no longer suffer.

And I tell myself everyday that dieing is a part of the natural order of things. I live with 7 senior cats and 2 senior dogs. I have to remind myself of this.

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Amy, Just......

After reading all the comments on this thread and crying some tears, I watched the video. I was amazed at how fast she passed away. It was literally a second. I don't ever want this day to come with Phaedra. I've never seen a pet be euthanized before, and after watching this video it doesn't seem so scary like I thought it would be.

RIP Peaches <3

I cant watch the video .. but having had four animals in four years go in my arms it is a peaceful and kind thing to do for them...