Anyone have experience with euthanasia of your pet in your home?

Our cat, Misty girl has a mass in her abdomen,since she is 18 years old, surgery is out of the question. Sadly, we need to put her to sleep in the next week or so, she is in no distress at this time, just off her food. I spoke to the vet, Dr. Barnes, yesterday who comes to your home for this. I just can't put Misty girl through the stress of the cat carrier and another trip to the vet. Anyone ever use this service, and your thoughts? We are so sad to be losing our girl.

You'll find no one more loving, gentle and compassionate that Dr. Barnes. She and her team were absolutely wonderful. As much as this still hurts, I am glad we did this in our home, in the sunshine with this gentle woman, Dr. Barnes. I wouldn't have been able to do it any other way.

I am sorry you have to go through this but know Dr. Barnes will take good care of Misty as you've done for 18 years.

Dr. Barnes came to our house 3 years ago with an assistant to help us say goodbye to our beloved corgi.  Both of them were amazingly compassionate, caring, and professional to the highest standard.  I am so sorry.  There are no words that can provide comfort at this time.  It is such a difficult experience to say goodbye to a pet but it did bring me a small sense of peace to know that our dog was given the moment of passing on her own bed, being stroked and held by us in the gentle sunlight of our living room.  

conandrob240 said:

You'll find no one more loving, gentle and compassionate that Dr. Barnes. She and her team were absolutely wonderful. As much as this still hurts, I am glad we did this in our home, in the sunshine with this gentle woman, Dr. Barnes. I wouldn't have been able to do it any other way.

I am sorry you have to go through this but know Dr. Barnes will take good care of Misty as you've done for 18 years.

Dr. Barnes is an angel of mercy.  We highly recommend her.

@emmie

I just wanted to extend my sympathies.  We had to say good-bye to Lou, our beloved cat of 18 years last week.  The price we pay for such love and affection is that they leave a very large hole in our hearts.

As others have written, your Misty is lucky to have you.

Elizabeth

Thanks for all the helpful comments, as soon as the symptoms become more pronounced, I will give Dr. Barnes a call. I am hoping we will have at lease a couple more weeks with our old girl! @EBennett, so sad for  the loss of your kitty, and sad for all the other families up thread, who lost their pets, and parts of their hearts.

Such sad news - you're all performing such a kindness for your furry friend, as we in this household hope you realise.  Our hearts are heavy with yours.

When it was Minnie's time, we were fortunate to have glorious weather. Remember, we're in another country.  She had a favourite sunny spot on a patio table and it just seemed natural to let her rest peacefully there the last couple of hours, like a normal morning.  She had snoozed on the bed, nibbled at a yummy breakfast, teased the birds along the fence (been teased back), got lots of hugs...she was in a bit of pain so we helped her up to the sunny spot and let her rest.

When the doctor came, we introduced her then went inside to talk.  Min was comforted by the quiet drone of our voices, and half-dozed.  We came back out, having discussed the procedure, and the doc gave the first shot which was a tranquiliser or anesthetic. Min's breathing became steady and quiet, and she fell asleep; we said goodbye and patted her (trying hard not to cry), and a few minutes later the doc gave the second shot. I was holding Min's front paw, but she was basically asleep anyway, and her breathing just slowed.  Doc checked her heartbeat, and a few mins later said, yes, she had gone.

We waited about 5 mins (just so we could think), then doc slowly and respectfully gathered Min in a baby's blanket that she provided, and carried her so carefully to her car.  I'm sure she had a body carrier there, but we didn't see anything clinical.  She had explained that here, pets are cremated and the ashes are spread on the rose garden in our main cemetery; we were happy with that plan.

It's years later and we still feel as if Min is with us, even in a new house. We wouldn't have done it any other way.

EBennett, so sad for your great loss:  may memories of happier times help to lessen the pain.

Emmie, I took a quick romp through previous threads on this subject, and Dr. Barnes seems to be contemplated in the light of potential sainthood... I think you and your baby are in very good hands with her.

I'm sorry you are going through this. This is why my husband always tells me he doesn't want any more pets... losing them is too hard.

Thanks PeggyC and Joanne.

Sorry to hear @emmie.... I was in a very similar situation many years ago... the dr came and I had to step out of the room since I could not stay there and watch ...

I used a similar service in Florida, and it was the best experience a sad event could be. They were helpful in considering when was the right time, and gave good advice for pain relief. Our greyhound was comfortable in her spot on the sofa, she ate meatballs and enjoyed cuddles, and did not even seem to notice the sedative injection in her leg.  

It was a blessing to have such a peaceful option, and wish we had similar for humans.

@debby, thank you for sharing this with me, your experience seems truly blessed.

Yes. I was very grateful.

I hope your experience will be just as comfortable.

We just said goodbye to our 15-year-old dog at home this  afternoon, with Dr Barnes and her assistant attending. I am sort of stunned with grief & can barely type, but I recommend this compassionate, caring, thoroughly professional yet profoundly humane veterinarian with all my heart.

We used this service for our dog, and I feel the same. So sorry beppolina.

We, too, had Dr. Barnes come to our home when it was time to say goodbye to our beloved cat last year. She was kind and compassionate, and I am so grateful that he was able to pass in his bed, in his home, and without the fear of his carrier, the car and yet another trip to the vet's office.

Dr. Barnes is scheduled to come here to my home on Friday, hope all goes smoothly for all of us, but mostly for our Misty girl, we are so sad and trying very hard to be brave. 

Sending love to all of you, especially you, @beppolina,and of course ,you, emmie.  I just want to add that I found Dr. Barnes through MOL,because of a post by Just the aunt, Jeannemarie. Maybe I indulge in Magical Thinking, but I believe she watches over all the animals of MOL--- guides home those who are hopelessly lost, helps those homeless little kittens find good homes,and welcomes them with her tender embrace when they cross her beloved Rainbow Bridge.

Rest assured that making this decision is so difficult, and if Dr. Barnes can eliminate some of the stress and panic felt by your dear pet,at the end of his or her life, it is your last and most important act of kindness.

thank you @meandtheboys and @calliope. @Emmie, you and Misty will be in calm, capable, and loving hands -- sending you warmth and strength.

@beppolina, in my own panic, I totally missed your post, so sorry that you had to put you pup down,  so, so sad. I know you will miss your pup, never easy to do this, keep the sweet memories alive in your heart.

Duplicate post deleted.

Condolences to beppolina on the passing of your loved one.  

emmie, we'll be thinking of you and Misty on Friday. 

@mlj, thank you!

So sorry to hear.  It is never easy to say goodbye, but at home does seem so much more humane.

Dr Levine assisted our 14 yr old lab across the 'rainbow bridge' in our home.  Don't know if this is a routine practice or we were a special case but it is certainly recommended.

JTA introduced me, and I'm sure many MOL families, to a wonderful commemorative custom: there's a to-order Christmas ornaments company that makes hanging globes and stars with your pet's name, and significant dates, and a pic beautifully placed. About a month after we said goodbye to Minnie, this pretty remembrance arrived unexpectedly in the post...it now reminds us of both.

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So sorry for you and your lovely cat that you both are going through this. I didn't know about Dr. Barnes. What a wonderful option. We've had three of our loves die at home, natural causes, no doctor present. It's heartbreaking and traumatic and I'm so happy that they were at home, surrounded by love, smells and sounds that were comforting to them. 

I wish you nothing but the best in your journey. 

Thank you Kibbegirl, so sorry for the loss of your three loves, always hard and sad. My appointment is for tomorrow at 2 PM.