Broadcaster Andrew Neil has opened up on the loss of his two dogs after admitting it brings him to “tears”.
Mr Neil, 74, shared the story on Twitter as he urged other owners to stay in the room with their pets when they are being put to sleep following a lengthy post from a veterinarian.
Discussing the post, he wrote: “Dog owners need to read this. It is painful and distressing. I’ve had to do it twice. It brings back tears just thinking about it. But it is also right. Stay with your dog til the end.”
The original post, shared by @Dalbodog, spoke about pets last wishes before they are put to sleep.
It said: “It turns out pets also have last wishes before they die, but that’s only known to vets who euthanise old and sick animals Twitter user Jesse Dietrich asked a vet what the hardest thing about his job was.
“The specialist replied without hesitation that the most difficult thing for him was to see old or sick animals searching for their owners before they fell asleep.
“In fact, 90 percent of owners don’t want to be in a room with a dying pet. People walk to avoid seeing their animal walk. But they don’t realize that in these last moments of life, their pet needs them the most. Veterinarians ask owners to be close to the animals until the end.
“It is inevitable that they will die before you. Don’t forget that you were the center of her life. Maybe they were just a part of you. But they are also your family. Even if it’s difficult, don’t leave her. Don’t let them die in a room with a stranger in a place they don’t like. It is very painful for veterinarians to see pets failing to find their owners in the last minutes of their lives. They don’t understand why their master left them.
“After all, they needed the comfort of their Lord. Veterinarians do everything so that the animals are not so afraid, but they are completely alien to them. Don’t be a coward because it’s too painful for you. Think of the animal. Bear this pain for her sake. Be with them to the end.”
Andrew Neil has spoke about his love for dogs before, sharing pictures of his golden retrievers in the past.
He opened up about his “seriously ill” pet in the past.
He wrote at the time: “Molly the Dog update: delighted to report that, despite being very poorly (requiring several visits to the vet and a specialist), Molly is recovering. She’s still very weak.
“But we could be past the worst. Phew.”
