putting my pet to sleep: show the body to other surviving pet???

When we had our girl Tessa euthanized we had the vet come to our house - but we left all the other dogs outside.  Now I wish I had at least let her son, Remi, in with her.

When it was Remi;s time we took him to the vets office.  He LOVED going to the vet - Tessa hated it.

My 14+ girl Neke - we'll have the vet come to our house and we WILL have the other dogs around when the vet euthanizes her.

I think its very important that all the dogs get to "say goodbye" to the one who has gone to the Bridge.  I always let the crew sniff and say goodbye when we loose one of ours.

I never had the chance to let Shadow say goodbye to Misty. Her kidneys were in failure. I immediately scooped her up in a blanket and DW and I high-tailed it for an emergency vet hospital on a Sunday. At the clinic, I had to make the decision then and there for pts. And then she was to be cremated in mass cremation. It was all I could afford at the time.

Minnie somehow slept through the night of utter panick and when we got back with Kayla in the box from the evet we opened it and I kissed her some more, got her all cozy with her blanket and put her toys in there with her.  Minnie was still sleeping.  The next day we took her to get cremated and Minnie didnt get to see her.  I wish I would have let her see and know that Kayla died.  I dont think she knew what happened.  I would def let them become aware of whats happened.

I think, personally that bringing home the body to show other pets is ridiculous

Maybe it is just me but, I think the other pets can tell how sad you are and know that their friend did not come back. I don't know if they really understand their friend died but, I think they do. Don't forget that if your pet was very sick the others are able to smell him/her and know that they are not healthy and might even know that the time is coming soon. When Lady kept getting sicker and sicker before she was put to sleep Bailey kept sniffing her back end quite often. i am sure Bailey could smell that something was wrong. Like you, my girls Princess and Lady had been together for years before Princess had to be put to sleep. When I came home, my old girl Lady came over to me put her head in my lap and sighed. It gives me chills even now. I really really believe that dogs know more than we give them credit for.

dvet, I typically bring my animals home to bury them.  That being the case, there is NO reason for me to not let the others see the lifelong friend who has gone to the Bridge.  That gives them some closure.  They SEE for themselves that their friend is gone, no longer in the body that they just sniffed.  And it avoids the mourning and howling, etc, that happens when they don't see for themselves.  I PREFER to have the vet come to my home when someone needs some help getting to the Bridge.  I find it easier and less frightening for the one who is going.

I agree I have made  many a house call to euthanize a pet, even by the grave site...Have done my own pets that way, but just to bring a dead pet hom to let the other pets sniff and "say good by"  I think that is anthropomorphising (sp) to the extreme...I don;t think pets know "dead"   I know they  miss a "guardian" or another pet but I don;t think they realize what death is...And to just let them sniff a dead  companion or a friend  is getting into the dogs mind as if it were a human who has heard about death all its life....I just don;t think it proves or helps anything....but as with many things I can be wrong...it is just the way I feel aobut the subject.

You know , this is interesting. I am reading this and flopping from one side to another,,,,thinking YES to one thing and then YES to the opposite.
All in all,,,I think Bailey is right....they know more then we give them credit for.   You know,,if we can look at them when they are old and sick and give them permission to pass on to a better world,,,and think they know what we are talking about.....I have to believe that when their brother or sister is sick and going to the bridge they sense that also. If you can be gone all day and the couple of minutes before you come home your dog comes to wait at the door,,,, I have to believe he knew exactly what happed to his sick brother or sister.  But I guess if YOU feel better bringing the pet home that has passed,,,then thats all that counts.

I've honestly seen for myself the difference in behavior when one passes and the others are allowed to "say their goodbyes".
 
A very wise trainer once suggested that the survivers be allowed to see the one who has passed and I honestly believe that it makes a big difference, but, as usual, thats' just my humble opinion.

I would never be able to help you make such a personal choice.  All I can tell you is to do what YOU think is right.  I'm sure that this has already been a heartbreaking experience for you and all involved, so I'm sure you will make the best decision for you and your other pet.  God bless

Having Rufus take his last breath at home was of superior importance to me and our other two dogs. The vet came to the house. the other two dogs joined me on the floor by Rufus on his bed and they watched him intently, gently, and quietly until it was over. It was one of the most peaceful and loving moments of my entire life.

allright I agree a little ..haveing a pet euthanized with the other pets present is far different than bringing the euthanized pet  home to show...I always gave people the option to be present when I did the procedure...their dog or other pets could be there also...I think that helped with closure..Course everybody but me, includinjt my secretery were in tears but at least it was a good closure....As said before I have had the family present when I did tham at their home....But again I just don't think letting a pet sniff or look at a previously euthanized pet is logical...again just an opinion

I wouldn't want the other dogs 'present' at euthanasia -- but I have always (as much as possible) brought the body home.  It's not anthropomorphic -- and heck yes, they understand 'dead'.  And it's better than the dogs endlessly looking for the 'return' of a dog that won't come home. 
 
I tend to rescue sick and older dogs -- OFTEN at my house somebuddy has to go to the vet and STAY there for days.  And I talk to them and tell them ... my dogs have huge vocabularies, because to them 'words' are just various commands.  They associate a word with a 'thing' -- so when I tell them Billy's up at Gainesville (and they've BEEN there with us in the past) but that he IS coming home, there's no worry.  But when you leave with a sick one they DO worry. 
 
I've had dogs sick who didn't come home.  And dogs sick who DID.  It's not rocket science to observe their reactions.
 
When I had to take Foxy the Mostlie Sheltie up to be put to sleep in March, I took Billy WITH me.  They were buds -- shared everything, including a crate and it was Foxy (age almost 19) who PICKED Billy two years ago and led him to the car to go home with us (he had no interest in any of the other dogs we interviewed).  So I knew I had to take Billy with me.
 
But I left him out in the reception area while Dr. Bailey and I attended to the procedure.  THEN they brought Billy in - he sniffed Foxy, sighed and that was it.  He knew Foxy was gone. 
 
Anthropomorphizing? No.  He has a nose.  He knows 'life' when he sniffs it.  He also knows death.  He knew Foxy was dying.  Probably had known it for a week.
 
Having them check out the body simply helps with their acceptance.  It makes the transition easier.  I've seen it again and again.
 
It would be anthropomorphic if people were suggesting a dog funeral.  That's not what we're saying.  We're simply saying allow the survivors to 'see' and sniff.  For dogs it's a no-brainer.  They don't weep and wail.  They move on ... immediately.  But it can ease the transition for them to understand it's 'over' .... and not have to 'worry' about a friend being abandoned.