I hated the thought of their last memory being with me, a stranger, and scared. For vet Lauren McNamara, those five words are the burden of so many goodbyes. In the four years she has been in practice, she has had her share of celebratory recoveries and wagging tails, but she has also had to endure the painful reality of euthanizing dogs in absent owners. Occasionally it’s because loss is too much for the human partner; sometimes, as in the case of the pandemic, it was out of the question. Either way, the lack leaves a gap one that McNamara’s rescue dog, Nala, has come to fill.
Nala, an eight-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier Kelpie mix, is not only McNamara’s best buddy she’s an unsung hero at the clinic. “Dogs are pack animals, they are wired to look to each other for protection and guidance,” McNamara explains. When Nala is in the room, anxious dogs visibly relax. She lies beside them while the IV catheter is placed, offering a steady presence that says, without words, “You’re not alone.” That innate dog-to-dog connection, McNamara says, is something no human can replicate.
The soothing that Nala brings isn’t anecdotal it’s evidence-based. Animal interaction has been proven to reduce cortisol, lower blood pressure, and alleviate loneliness. Therapy dogs, specifically, are superb at providing nonjudgmental companionship and a soothing presence, attributes that are particularly potent in times of pain or fear. In hospice and palliative care facilities, specially trained dogs tend to lean in close, place their heads on a patient’s lap, or simply remain immobile behaviors that convey safety and empathy.
McNamara’s viral TikTok clip of Nala’s role has reached hundreds of thousands of people, initiating discussions regarding the significance of staying for a pet’s death. While she urges owners to remain if possible, she is aware of the challenge. For those unable to, knowing their dog was provided with comfort by a compassionate companion can be a source of solace. Seeing the comfort she brought them also brought me comfort, McNamara says.
For owners confronting the reality of euthanasia, it is advised by professionals to psychologically prepare in advance. That could involve discussing frankly with your veterinarian what the experience will be like, whether you wish to stay with your pet during it, and how you wish to commemorate your pet afterwards. There are some clinics that provide a remembrance token, such as paw prints or clippings of fur, while others mail cards on anniversaries to acknowledge the pet’s life. These movements, tiny though they are, might keep grief rooted in love and not loss.
Vet professionals also support one another. Group debriefing, mutual memorials, and even taking time off on challenging days are means teams cope with emotional strain. As one practice manager explained, The United States has a mourning avoidance culture. I choose not to be a part of that.
Nala’s work is a reminder that animals have a special understanding of just what is required in times of weakness. In a clinic, a hospice suite, or a living room, their presence can ease anxiety, stimulate memories, and provide a sort of emotional respite that is at the same time ancient and deep. As McNamara puts it, Because of my bond with Nala, she trusted me and knew what was happening and why. She would pass this onto my patients. It’s nature and it’s amazing to see.
To the dogs who die with Nala at their side, their last moments are not those of fear, but of the warmth of another heartbeat near them a gift as ordinary as it is remarkable.
