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One of the dilemmas carers often face when the time comes to say goodbye is whether to take their companion to the practice or to get the vet home. There are pros and cons for both as described elsewhere on the Ralph site (http://www.theralphsite.com/index.php?idPage=12) but we wondered what your experience is and what you would prefer to have done. Have you had a companion put to sleep at home or did you prefer to go to the practice?

This dilemma is one that many pet carers ask for help with so we would very much appreciate hearing your experiences.

Thank you.

I had my 12 yr old German Shepherd put to sleep at home because he could hardly get up and I thought it was unfair to try and get him in the car and then have to walk from the parking space into the vets. I dont think he would have been able to do it anyway. He had cancer and went downhill so rapidly we didnt have a chance to get him to the vet. All of my other pets have been put to sleep at the vets except one cat who died peacefully in my arms at home from kidney failure. Oh and Vicky (his sister), who died on a carpark after being run over by a neighbour :'(

Couple of posts on our Facebook page about this topic:

"I chose home so there was no distress taking to the vets it was peaceful and I kept very calm and I held treacle as he went to sleep, left him looking asleep on his bed for a while so that my two other cats knew he had gone think that is important if you have other pets to lessen the anxiety of a lost friend x"

"i have had both home and at the vets and both were so heartbreakeing when i lost tabs we left him on his blanket and bed so his brother could see him and spend a bit of time with him, i dont know if it helped as he pinned for him for so long after, it was heartbreaking when fluff was constantly looking around an calling for tabs, eventually we got 2 kittens to keep fluff company which seemed to keep him company but sadly 6 weeks later we had to have fluf put to sleep due to ill health , we also layed him in his bed on his blanket and both kittens spent some time with him but one of them actually got in his bed with him and layed snuggled up to him for ages we eventually had to take the kitten away from fluff so we could bury fluff in our garden , the kittens seemed very calm about it so i think it helped them understand what had happened, i will never ever forget my beloved cats which i have lost they will always be a part of my family"

From our Facebook page:

"i had no choice but to take my kitten to the vets coz of the fip they had to have her cremated but if it happens again to any of my pets i would choose to to have them put to sleep at home it is less stressful for the pet and for u"

From our Facebook page:

"i have always had mine done at the vets purely because i dont want the memory of that at home ..... it has always been very peaceful and the vets have been excellent booking us for a time when no one else is there giving me time afterwards to spend wth them and generally have not found it nearly as traumatic as i think i would at home"

My dog was put to sleep at home only yesterday. It was how I always wanted him to go. He didnt like the vets and would have needed to be muzzled if he was taken there. Sadly, his back end went and although the vet did want me to take him in I explained that at 7 stone he was too heavy to carry. He went very peacefully surrounded by his toys and family in the home he has lived in for 13 years. x

I think it is a good thing to have a choice where Euthanasia takes place anything that makes it more comfortable for our much loved family member, I wanted to have my Tabitha put to sleep at home as I thought this would be better for us both, in her own home surround by everything that was familiar to her. unfortunately it was not to be tabitha deteriorated and I wrapped her up warm in a blanket and rang my vet to let her know what was happening and she booked me in as urgent, I had the last appointment just me tabitha and Gavin, the other problem was only one of our vets was insured for home Euthanasia, I asked my vet if Tabitha could be put to sleep some where other than the consultation room and bless her she found me a quite space where the staff had their breaks, , I was so grateful to her the fact of a sitting room type environment helped to ease the situation a little, my vet was kind and loving to us and I will never be able to thank her enough for making Tabitha's last minutes safe, comfortable, and dignified{ sorry I have to stop I am getting very upset} Love Deborah xxx

Natalie I am really sorry for your loss, but I am pleased he was in his home environment especially as he did not like going to the vets, my Tabitha did not like visiting the vets either. Love and Affection Deborah xxx

Please can I just say from the bottom of my heart to everyone on The Ralph site, where ever euthanasia takes place nothing can really ease that heart breaking , gut wrenching moment when someone we love dies, but how the situation is handled stays in your heart and mind always and can help us later on in our grief. Love And Affection Deborah xxx

Have had both ways for my dogs. 2 days ago I took my friend to the vets after a ghastly week-end making the decision.Had moved out of the area, but stayed with wonderful vet. It was very peaceful, she was on painkillers and then just slipped away with a little sigh, and a look at me....... "aah - now the pain has gone and you stayed with me like you promised"...Nothing wd make it easier as Deborah says. Try and concentrate on those good times and happy memories.Have found this site helpful, many thanks.

Sounds like a calm and tranquil passing. Being a vet I have been present at many and I know how much difference a peaceful experience makes for those that are leaving us and those left behind.