I am sharing this because I would never want another pet owner to go through what I experienced during one of the most painful moments of my life.
I arranged for her to come to my friend’s home to help my ESA dog pass peacefully. I paid an additional $100 for her to come on her day off because I wanted to ensure my dog had a calm and gentle goodbye. I was told I could take as much time as I needed with him.
When she arrived, she initially seemed kind and comforting. However, after I signed the paperwork, the experience began to feel rushed and disjointed. While I was trying to spend my final moments focusing on my dog, she continued engaging with him. My dog was very people-oriented, so he naturally stayed focused on her, which made it difficult for me to have the quiet, personal time I expected with him.
During the procedure, my dog reacted suddenly when the needle was inserted. I became very upset and immediately asked if he was okay. In that moment, I needed reassurance and support, but I felt alone and overwhelmed.
After he passed, I asked for private time with him because I was devastated. I was told, “I’ll give you five minutes,” and then later given another short window. This felt very different from what I had been told beforehand about being able to take my time, and it added to the emotional distress of the situation.
I was also not given the option to keep his body overnight, which others did provide to me as an option. I was told certain keepsakes would be included, such as nose clay prints, but the crematory later confirmed they do not provide those items.
The cremation process caused additional confusion and distress. I was told by the doctor that my dog’s cremation had already started, and that because of this I would not be able to see him again. This created urgency and emotional shock in the moment, and led me to immediately reach out to the crematory for clarification. I had to locate the crematory myself—it was the second one I called, as the name was never provided to me at any point. After contacting them, I learned that my dog had not yet even been received. This discrepancy added to the emotional distress during an already traumatic time. I was also initially faced with the possibility of paying an additional $250 just to see my dog again, which was later compensated by CodaPet.
Additionally, when it was time to bring my dog to the vehicle, there was another person present in the car who I had not been informed about beforehand. Carrying my dog after his passing was already extremely painful, and the lack of communication about this added to the distress of that moment.
My dog was my family, and this experienc was incredibly difficult. I understand that every situation is different, but I hope this helps other pet owners ask questions, clarify expectations ahead of time, and ensure they feel fully comfortable with the person they choose to help them say goodbye.
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