Making the decision to put a dog to sleep is incredibly difficult. Due to health problems, some dogs simply cannot live without suffering.
In these cases, veterinary staff or rescue centre workers often have to make this heartbreaking decision.
A thoughtful gesture
So, those who have no choice but to euthanise these dogs want to make them as comfortable and happy as possible in their final days.
Smiths Station Animal Hospital, a veterinary clinic in Alabama, USA, has received a huge amount of support after sharing a photo of their very sweet gesture.
They posted a photo on Facebook of a jar of chocolates they keep as a final treat for the dogs. On the jar, a label reads, “Goodbye Kisses”. They captioned the photo: *”This jar is reserved for our euthanasia appointments… because no dog should go to heaven without tasting chocolate.”*
The photo was widely shared on social media, and many people liked and commented on the post. They shared photos of their own pets in their final days and spoke of the pain of letting them go.
One person commented: *”Her last meal was truffled eggs and a pupcake for our Bonnie the West Highland White Terrier’s 15th birthday. Followed by her favourite smoked salmon just before our vet arrived.”*
Another commented: *”My baby had chocolate ice cream with banana and whipped cream last night. Banana was her favourite thing, she couldn't get enough of it.”*
A word of caution
It's important to remember, however, that chocolate is not a recommended food for pets in everyday life.
Chocolate is toxic to them and can lead to serious illness, as it contains the chemicals theobromine and caffeine, which dogs cannot metabolise in the same way humans can.
However, in the specific case of a dog's final moments, it's a different matter.
Since dogs can't have chocolate during their lives, the animal hospital decided to offer them a piece of this special treat before they cross the rainbow bridge.
