It can be heartbreaking to say goodbye to a pet who has been your greatest friend and most devoted supporter. As a result, you’ll never forget your dog’s last day.
It could be a good idea to carefully examine your final time together so that you remember it pleasantly as a day full of love for your cherished friend.
There are a variety of ways to spend a special day with your dog to make them feel loved and valued as their life draws to a close. With some planning and preparation, you can transform an otherwise melancholic day into one that will fill your heart with love and joy, as well as provide you with great memories.
Here are a few suggestions for making your dog’s last day one to remember.
Throw a farewell gathering
Organize a farewell party for your dog. Invite your friends and family over for a visit or have them join you online for a meeting. Everyone can join in the fun by telling their favorite memory about their dog. Request that a handful of your friends bring special goodies and toys for your pet to enjoy. Depending on how your dog feels that day, you can limit the number of guests and the amount of time spent celebrating.
Make your dog feel at ease
One of the finest things you can do for a dog who is suffering and in pain is to leave them in the warmth of their bed or yours. To make their area even comfier, consider adding extra layers of padding. You might wish to set aside a particular blanket for them to use during their last days. Save it so you can wrap yourself in it whenever you need to feel near to them after they’ve passed away.
Consider securely storing all of your dog’s toys, blankets, leashes, and food bowls for a few months until you’ve recovered from your loss. Avoid the need to get rid of something as soon as they’re gone.
Make a favorite dish
All rules should be broken on your dog’s last day. Allow them to eat all of their favorite greasy foods without fear of ruining their diet. Make sure they don’t overeat because it could make them unwell. You’ll want to make sure your dog doesn’t vomit if the vet gives him medication. Ask ahead of time if there are any special dietary requirements you should be aware of and adhere to.
Cuddle
What better way to spend your dog’s final day than a long snuggle session? Spend the day hugging and sharing your pet’s warmth and scent, as long as they’re feeling up to it. Take everything in so that you’ll have a lasting recollection of your time together. If your dog enjoys being stroked and rubbed, you might wish to include some belly rubs and toe tickles just for fun.
Visit favorite spots
Most dogs remember the sights, scents, and routes of their favorite spots. Plan a delightful day by paying one last visit to all of your dog’s special hangouts.
If your dog is unable to walk on its own, use a pull wagon to get them from one exciting location to another. Spend meaningful time with them at all of their favorite spots in town, with plenty of snacks in between.
Arrange for a photoshoot
Making a photo memorial of all the fun and exciting activities you and your dog did on their final day will help you cope with your loss. Take plenty of meaningful photos of their last experiences, and try putting together an album with notes written from your dog’s perspective.
You may even turn their last day of life images into a film with music.
Pamper your pet
If your dog can move around painlessly, schedule a pamper day at a local doggy spa, where they can be groomed, have their nails trimmed, and possibly have a therapeutic massage.
Piped-in music is played at most doggy day spas to quiet and soothe your dog’s senses and reduce any stress or worry they may be feeling. Having their needs met is a unique way for them to leave this world feeling and looking their best.
Create pawprints
Getting paw or nose prints created is one way for you and your pet to spend your final day together. You can eventually transform these imprints into a one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry or artwork to treasure for a lifetime.
You can go to a craft store together to get the items, then spend the day at the park doing arts and crafts with your pet dog. You’ll not only have a lasting remembrance of your last adventure together, but you’ll also have a keepsake of a piece of their DNA.
Have a heart-to-heart conversation
Grieving for a pet after they’ve been put down is a natural and understandable response to their death. Your dog believes in you and trusts you to make the best decision for him, no matter how difficult it is.
Use their final day to explain to them why you had to let them go. Tell them how guilty you feel and how much it bothers you. This open and honest conversation with your dog will help you relieve some of the tension you’re feeling about having to put them down.
Organize a memorial service
Planning a funeral or organizing a memorial service for your dog before they die are two ways to create lasting memories with your pet on their last day. Consider taking your dog outside to show them where their ashes will be scattered or where they will be laid to rest.
Prepare a few written words to recite aloud during their memorial service so that your dog can hear how much they meant to you in your life. Take plenty of photos or videos at their memorial service to help you remember it.
Understand what grief is.
It can be difficult to come to grips with the death of a pet. Learning about pet loss and grief will assist you in dealing with all phases of mourning following the death of your dog. Many of these books are written by people who have experienced the heartbreak and grief of losing a beloved pet.
Learning about other people’s losses and how they dealt with their grief can help you understand your own. Shared experiences can guide you in overcoming loss and assisting you in making key decisions you may not have considered earlier.
Consider euthanasia at home.
It’s not easy to prepare for your dog’s last day. Driving your dog to the vet to be euthanized is a difficult and emotional event. The last thing you want for your beloved pet is to spend their final hours on a sterile metal table in a room full of strangers.
Consider having your veterinarian come to your home so that your pet can spend his or her final day in the comfort of home, surrounded by love and the familiar sights, sounds, and scents of home. Finally, as they would do for you, stay in the room with them until the end.
Celebrating Your Dog’s Final Day
Of course, saying goodbye to your dog is never easy, and these actions will only help to ease the process a bit. It’s a bittersweet process, but knowing that you got the most out of their years on this earth– that’s something to remember too. When all’s said and done, your dog will have helped you in countless ways. He or she will have been there when you needed to vent, when you just needed a comforting head pat, and when you needed someone to love just because. You might never truly be ready for that last day, but remember this list during the final moments of your dog’s life and know that they were truly an unforgettable friend.
It’s hard to express in words the love people have for their pets. If you are looking for a way to immortalize your pet, then a pet memorial stone may be a perfect choice. At Rainbow Bridge Pet Memorials, we do not just sell pet memorial stones, we are like a family member who will help you through this difficult time and help you find that perfect stone for your beloved pet. Explore our pet memorial stone collection here.
