Special Moment Dog Uttered His Final Bark Before Euthanasia
Special Moment Dog Uttered His Final Bark Before Euthanasia: In a poignant and heartbreaking turn of events, a golden retriever named Rocky, who had stopped barking nearly 10 months prior, uttered his final, unexpected bark just a few minutes before his scheduled euthanasia.
The heartwarming yet heartbreaking moment captured in a clip that was recently shared on Tiktok under the username alexsandu989 has left viewers in tears.
The video shows Rocky lying on the floor close to a woman in a sitting room. He is later seen struggling to stand up to take a treat from another woman, presumably his owner. As he lay back on the floor, he let out a series of barks.
“Rocky hadn’t barked in MONTHS, yet moments before he crossed the rainbow bridge, he gave us the most special goodbye,” the overlaid text on the video reads.
The dogs owner, heard giggling in the background following the bark, described the moment as “special,” vowing to cherish its memory forever. “I will remember this moment forever. Miss you so much my little Rocky,” the video caption reads.
In the comment section, the dog owner shared that “It truly was crazy, he did it exactly 5 minutes before the vet came after almost 10 months of no barking.”
Since its share on September 26, the video has garnered over 8.6 million views, over 2 million likes and thousands of comments from people sharing stories of dying dogs experiencing a final energy surge.
“My 18 year old cat never meowed but seconds before he took his last breath he let out the loudest 3 meows I’ve ever heard, as if he was saying “I love you”, one user, GlitterPancakes wrote.
“My dog was in agony,she couldn’t move, then she heard my voice and tried to stand up to see me then fell cause she wasn’t strong enough.For me this will be the best act of love someone could show me,” another user, Sara shared.
Energy surge, often referred to as a “death rattle,” where a seemingly lifeless creature regains strength and vitality just before passing, has been observed across various species and has fascinated both pet owners and veterinarians alike. This complex physiological process can manifest in various ways, including unexpected bursts of energy.
Veterinarian Dr. Elizabeth Benson, founder of Paws into Grace, a Southern California-based company that specializes in pet end-of-life care confirmed to Newsweek that energy surge is frequently observed in both humans and animals, indicating that it’s a natural part of the dying process.
“We frequently see animals who have an energy surge, also known as ‘bloom’ or ‘rally’ before passing,” she reportedly said. “This happens regularly in humans and animals and is a normal part of the dying process,” she added.
While energy surge seems counterintuitive, Dr. Benson warns that it can be a deceptive sign. It can lead pet owners to believe that their pet is recovering, when in reality, their condition may be deteriorating. This can result in postponing necessary end-of-life decisions, which can lead to increased suffering for the pet.
Dr. Benson’s advice is to prioritize the pet’s comfort and well-being during this time. If the pet is experiencing a good day, it might be a suitable time to consider euthanasia, ensuring a peaceful and painless end. This proactive approach can prevent unnecessary suffering and avoid emergencies where the pet may experience distress.
“Many times, we have pet parents who cancel their euthanasia appointment because they think the pet is recovering one day, only to later have a emergency situation where the pet is suffering and actively dying in their presence, unassisted by a veterinarian,” she said
“As hard as it is to make the decision to euthanize a pet during this time, we encourage owners to let their pets be at peace while they are having a good day in order to minimize suffering and avoid an emergency.”
@alexsandu989 I will remember this moment forever ❤️ miss you so much my little rocky #goldenretriever #goldenretrieverlife ♬ To Build A Home – The Cinematic Orchestra & Patrick Watson
