Thankyou so much fir your kind words 
reading the article made me smile, it’s so lovely
Its sad isnt it, life is cruel❤️
Thankyou for your kind words, all animals we look after have left imprints on our hearts, losing one on your watch is so hard but we take comfort knowing we give 100%
A week into a 3 week sit with a gorgeous elderly golden labrador called Charlie and a cute Hairy Mclarey terrier Maggie, Charlie very suddenly needed to be put down.
We were able to facilitate the family’s involvement in the decision making process and provided as much love and support to them as we could for which they were very grateful. The owners were too far away to return but their two grown up daughters were there till the end.
This is always a heartbreaking situation which we have been through many times before with our own pets so fully understand how everyone feels.
As upset as the family was, it wasn’t entirely unexpected and they were just incredibly grateful that we were there for Charlie and Maggie - who suddenly had to get used to life without Charlie in it - and we were glad that Charlie didn’t have to suffer any longer.
We’ve had several other sits where this situation has been a distinct possibility so are always prepared for whatever may happen knowing that we have done everything possible to keep the pets safe and loved
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You absolutely did the right thing, although it’s so sad that the owners couldn’t be there, but nobody can predict when our pet’s last day might be. I’m sure the owners appreciated the care and love you gave to their animal, even until its dying breath!
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We too have experienced times of sadness on sits. Three weeks into a month-long sit, Stanley, the little dog we were looking after, became very ill. We knew he had renal problems and other health issues but he was a happy and loving little chap, though sensitive, and he’d become my firm favourite.
Stanley was notoriously terrified of the vet, but communication with the PPs and a visit was clearly necessary. The vet knew him and his situation and, because of his fear, we were asked to nurse him at home and we readily agreed. As he faded, I rubbed his gums with drops of water to hydrate him and nursed him in his favourite blanket.
Luckily, the PPs managed to get home in time for his last days, and we stayed on., whilst Stanley continued to linger. On the day we left, as we were travelling to our follow-on sit, they rang to tell us Stanley had gone. I can’t begin to tell you how painful that was, and we had to pull the car over and weep.
Don’t ever underestimate the attachment that can happen between sitters and pets. We care, and we give and receive great affection to the animals in our care. In thinking again about Stanley, my eyes are starting to overflow, but I do also remember our time together with joy. He enjoyed life and clearly had fun with us, before his decline.
Because we’d been with him for the last month of his life, we had very many great photographs and videos which we’d shared daily with the PPs during the sit and afterwards, and this surely comprised a lovely momento of this sweet boy’s last days which they otherwise might not have had. I hope it helped them.
It’s always a responsibility, looking after someone’s beloved pets, and even more so when the pets are elderly or have known ill health issues. It’s a privilege; being able to provide some measure of comfort and support to both pets and pet parents when they most need it.
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P.S. I’ve worked in end-of-life care and have maintained professional conduct whilst supporting clients and their families and carers, yet I wept buckets when I realised that Stanley was fading and when we heard that he’d died. Go figure!
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I am a home owner and a couple of years ago lost a pet bunny unexpectedly while traveling. I had a fantastic sitter who has had bunnies herself for decades. The bunny was obviously not well when I had to go to the airport and I couldn’t decide whether to stay or go. I eventually left the sitter with a note and headed to the airport. That year had been particularly hard having lost a close relative, a dear colleague and another bunny and I felt that needed to get away for a few days,also knowing my bunny was in excellent hands. The sitter did everything she could and the vet, too, but bunnies can be very fragile and pass unexpectedly…
My sitter and I overlapped for a day after my return. She gave me a present to comfort me and I gave her one to comfort her. She said that she felt at the right place and time and that she was meant to help me. I invited her to come again at a happier time which she did two years later, enjoying the company of my then new rabbit.
I think sometimes destiny just makes these decisions for us and I hope you can take comfort in having taken some of the load off the pet owners shoulders. I am personally forever grateful for that one sitter.
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We have not How to deal with that situation in a TrustedHousesitters sit But I want to commend you, no hug you,
for the incredible compassion and kindness in the way you dealt with the situation. They are very lucky to have such strong and kind housesitters. It must be extremely difficult for you to deal with but you helped an animal out of a situation in which they were suffering.
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This is so sad! Especially because we are about to leave on vacation in 5 days and leaving our 15 year-old cocker spaniel George with a trusted housesitter! He’s had a few “health scares” over the last two years with vets predicting only months to live. It’s literally as if he hears us talking about his imminent demise because he rallies hard as if he’s asking us “who’s calling who sick?” It’s absolutely amazing. We passed up on vacations for the last few years because we didn’t feel comfortable leaving him or thought overnight somewhere would be scary for him. We have another dog that is a charmer and will get on anywhere with anyone.
We decided we couldn’t NOT take vacation and are so happy we found Trusted Housesitters and a couple with strong recommendations who are happy to take care of an old dog. George has his old man idiosyncrasies but is a chill dude all day.
I hope our old guy holds on through the vacation. He seems ok at the moment and that our housesitters have smooth sailing. But these things can change quickly or he starts to become anxious because he doesn’t know where we are. Crossing every finger I have.
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Welcome to the forum @MiniMouli
It’s great that you have found some THS sitters who will take good care of your aged dog whilst you are on vacation. Have you discussed with your sitters your wishes for your dogs care if he deteriorates during the sit? Have you set up an account with your vet so that the sitters don’t have to pay for any treatments upfront ? Have you informed your vet of your sitters name and that they will be looking after your pet for the dates of your stay ? Will your sitters be able to contact you during your vacation if decisions need to be made about your dog’s health or treatment? Or have you given them an emergency contact for this situation?
If you have all this in place then you can rest assured that you have done your best and prepared for any emergency that may arise during your vacation.
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Thankyou 
and I’m praying for your pet to be strong for you to receive lovely messages and photos of your pets own little holiday with someone new, I’m sure they will certainly love and care for him very much to make your return a happy one xx
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@Sazzi21
So sorry for your experience. It hurts so much.
We had a housesit many years ago, contacted by THS for an emergency short sit for an elderly dog that needed some extra care.
We arrived not to the homeowner, but her daughter, who let us know the dog was actively dying, according to the vets.
This was not what we were told was the situation.
Luckily we had bought a few provisions on arrival. The lovely dog, had to stay in the kitchen as he has no control of his bowels, and whimpered often. We took turns to sleep and stayed constantly with him, making sure he knew he was loved and was able to get water and a little food into him.
He did not die on our watch, we were there 3 nights and exhausted emotionally, and physically.
We left heartbroken, knowing his end was near, but thankfully our lives crossed, knowing he felt our love.
We were less happy not to have been told the truth. We would have arrived regardless.
We don’t think the owner could cope with her dog actively dying, so called in for an emergency sitter. A kinder option would have been to call the vet to the home, or take him to the vet, make the dog comfortable and let him go.
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This made me cry too. you aren’t alone.
so sad. Helen.x
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Yes, @Sazzi21 I’m hoping he will be comfortable through our absence. I feel that he will. Thank you for your kind words.
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Thank you @Silversitters. This is a great list. We have set up an account and they do have our mobile but will give them WhatsAp as another matter. Having the conversation about our wishes is very good advice. I feel more comfortable now.
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