When I arrive

I'll come to the door with a small bag of supplies. You'll show me where your pet is—their bed, the couch, a spot on the floor, wherever they're most comfortable.

If your pet is lying down, I'll sit on the floor next to them. If they're curious about me (some dogs perk up when a stranger arrives—even when they've been lethargic for days), that's fine. People often feel guilty about that, like "Oh no, maybe we're doing this too soon." Don't worry. A moment of curiosity doesn't mean they're not ready.

For cats, I'll ask that you have them in a small room or bathroom beforehand. Otherwise, we'll spend the whole appointment trying to coax them out from under the bed.

The process

First injection: This is an anesthetic that goes into the muscle near their spine. It makes your pet drowsy and relaxed—essentially, they fall asleep. This takes about 10 minutes to fully work, sometimes a bit longer.

During this time, you can stay near your pet's head, talk to them, pet them, offer them treats if they want them. I stay out of the way.

Before I proceed, I'll check their reflexes—usually by pinching their toes gently—to make sure they're fully asleep. If they're not deep enough, I'll give more sedation. There's no rush.

Second injection: Once they're deeply asleep, I'll give the euthanasia solution into a vein in their back leg. This is what stops their heart and breathing.

I work from the back leg so you can be near their head if you want to be. You don't have to watch me place the injection—you can focus on your pet.

Sometimes veins are fragile or hard to access, especially in very old or sick pets. If I can't get the vein, I'll give the injection between the ribs so it's absorbed near the heart. I'll explain what I'm doing and why.

What happens after

I'll listen to their heartbeat to confirm they've passed. Then I'll let you know.

Once they've passed, I'll step outside and give you time alone with them. Take as long as you need. I'll be in my vehicle, recording my notes and preparing a space for your pet if I'm transporting them for cremation.

If you're keeping your pet for home burial or private arrangements, I'll say goodbye and leave you with them.