Argos made it into Homer's Odyssey for this same sentiment.

Pearl was his wife if that tells you anything. /s

I went through that last week with my cat. It was so heartbreaking and traumatic

I was there when my 12 year old Boston mix was put to sleep and I was utterly shocked at how fast the transition went. I literally turned to the vet and said, "my god, is it over already?". To think that someone you spend nearly every day with for over a decade can be gone in seconds... it's humbling and awful.

It’s a raw feeling. I wish I could forget it. But I can’t.

I had to do it more than twenty years ago and I fear that I will have to do it again soonish. It leaves a mark on your heart.

My first dog died at a little over 5.5 years old in my bedroom. It was so traumatic, the stress triggered an autoimmune illness and I haven't been the same since (it's been 3 years and 3 months).

My 16-year-old cat just needed an ultrasound a few days ago, and they gave her some sedative that made her go completely limp in my arms within like 30 seconds. I was not even remotely prepared for that, and it felt like she died in my arms. Needless to say, I cried a bunch and I think I also got a taste of some shit I was not ready for that day.

Yeah. My old manimal was put down a decade ago, and I still think about him nearly every day. It was crushing, watching it happen.

He didn't give a damn, though. Cheerful as ever 'til the last breath. Suppose that's the best any of us can ask to go out like.

One could not hope for a more pure visualization of "letting go." We extoll its virtue, but it can be so hard to do. No matter what, there will always be something that we hold on to, until our final breath.

You gave your friend a great gift that day. I know it was hard, but you should be proud of the compassionate person that you are.

Oh, this one got me too while at work. Had to grab a tissue.

WHOA THIS IS SO AWESOME

Never occurred to me that it was possible and happens

Not a bad idea to finally find out if your dog loves chocolate in the moments before

TIL in Zoroastrianism, otters > dogs:

In the Vendidad, it is stated that the spirits of a thousand deceased dogs are reincarnated in a single otter (“water dog”)

Last time I had to put a pet down was a car I kept for 15 years

Cars are considered pets, now? (J/K)

He’s lucky to have you. Good human.

I had my dog cremated and the vet had an option to pay $100 more, and someone from the local wood working high school team designed and builds the cremation box. I did that and now she’s in a beautiful cremation box that’s well made and local. I think it’s a good way to honor my dog, I miss her everyday

I've had one cremated and I've been meaning to take some of the ashes and make a glass sculpture for something permanent, and then go release her ashes out somewhere. Others have had backyard.

There are several companies that will take ashes and make jewelry, paper weights, ornaments, sun catchers, etc.

You can get them cremated but I've always gone for the "ask someone with a car to drive me out into nowhere and pick any ol spot that isn't too close to water". Depending on timing this sometimes requires me to wrap them up and pop them in the freezer for a couple days which isn't stellar feeling but gets the job done

For a fee you can work with your vet, or sometimes even county/city programs, to cremate your pet after they die.