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We stayed. My GF held our cat. Winter's spirit can definitely find us when she looks.

For what it's worth, not everyone can handle it. There's folks that have built up trauma that would break them to stay, and they shouldn't have to pay that price for doing the right thing for an animal that loved them. Others physically can't. Some just couldn't stay without the animal being more freaked out and scared because their human was that upset.

Never, ever imply that someone has to be there or they aren't doing right by their companion. It just isn't true, and it isn't okay to throw shame at people when you don't know the details.

Secondary to that, I want to share a little bit of personal grief to maybe take the sting out of the rebuke,and hopefully just let my fellow humanity that scrolls by know that they aren't alone in grief.

I've not had to put many animals down. Life has had a way of my companions going in their sleep, or just not showing how close they were.

One of my rats, she had a stroke right in front of me, and I knew there was zero chance of reaching a vet. So I did it myself, fast. You now the trauma I mentioned in the first section? Every companion I've had since, I have nightmares about having to do it. Dogs, cats, my chickens, other rats, the images of my tiny girl that used to nuzzle my ear and love on me dying the way she did, and the feel of her as I ended her pain, then how she started going cold in my hands almost instantly. That shit will never leave me. I don't want it to either.

But it has meant that I've always had enough cash stacked in a safe to cover the expense any time I've had a companion.

My little corgi went slow. Started not making it outside to excrete waste. Started having trouble walking. Started going a little blind. But she was still her loving self, until she started showing signs of not knowing where she was. So I made the call. Home euthanasia in that case.

I very much recommend it over any other option. My little girl went out in peace. She was there, and with a few pushes is medication, she wasn't. She went with almost everyone she loved right with her. No pain. No fear. Just drifting off after a day of cuddles and part of a hamburger. That's how I know I almost waited too long; she only took a bite and then laid back down.

Gods, I miss her. It's been years. It'll be four years here in November. I still cry when I think of her last days. I still cry when I see her pictures and videos. She was my constant companion for over a decade. Only time we were apart regularly was when I was still working, and she was two or three when I couldn't work any more. She made it to 15.

I've never known a dog so perfect.

So yes, if you can handle it without breaking, and stay calm enough to help them through the end, do it. As hard as it is, it's an honor and a goodness to be with them right to the final breath, and love them even past it. It's part of the beauty of animal companions, one that is a painful, excruciating experience, but still beautiful.

But don't do it because you think you have to. Don't do it because someone says you're obligated. Do it for love. Do it for them. If you can.

I had the misfortune to put down two dogs within a month of each other. I was able to do it at home. If possible, I recommend going that route vs a vet.

I did get to see my partner’s cat be put down, they allowed us time to cry with the ex-cat afterwards.

I didn't need to cry tonight goddammit.

mine let us bring blankets and dollies and gave us all the time we needed.