A video that’s circulating on Tiktok shows two senior dogs sharing a moment together. These siblings had spent their entire life together, and the family decided to let them be together one last time.

The dog who was being said goodbye to was seriously ill, and his family had made the difficult decision to have him humanely euthanized. They wanted to allow his sibling to have one last moment with him, believing this would help both dogs with the transition.

This video captures that moment and is deeply emotional, and hard to watch. It’s sparked a huge response from people who saw it, especially those who recognized their own pets and experiences in the clip.

So many people had their own stories of saying goodbye to their pet. “I’ll never forget the day my childhood dog died. She got up one last time to take one last look outside our home. Dogs understand so much,” one person wrote.

Another commented, “We have had both of my dogs for almost a decade, and we had to put one of them down earlier this year because of a large tumor growing in her snout. When we got home from the vet, he laid on the pile of blankets she laid on in the car and refused to move for the rest of the day. Genuinely crushed me.”

The heart-touching video has been viewed by hundreds of thousands, and for many viewers it brought up questions about euthanasia and what the process is really like. Is it painful for them? Do they understand what’s happening?

What Happens During Euthanasia

The questions above come from love, and they’re ones I’ve heard countless times over the years. I’ve been present for more euthanasia procedures than I could ever put a number on, and what stands out every time is how seriously everyone involved takes it — be it technicians or veterinarians, those who work with animals do so because they care deeply about them.

They slow down and explain what’s happening. They give you time, and if there’s something you feel is not being explained, or you need more time — just communicate that to them. They’re dedicated to doing things correctly and focusing on peace and comfort.

Typically, the first medication is a sedative. This helps the animal to relax or even fall asleep entirely. It takes anywhere from 2-10 minutes for this medicine to kick in, and you’ll see the breathing slow and the muscles relax as it takes effect.

After the sedative, the veterinarian administers the final medication. That will be done either through a vein or another method, whichever is determined to be the safest and most comfortable for the animal. The medication works quickly, shutting down the brain first, then the respiratory system, and then the heart. There is no pain during this part. You’ll see what looks like a deep sleep. Sometimes, there are a few quiet breaths or a few deep ones. Sometimes, there won’t be any at all. In many cases, the entire process will take just a few minutes.

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The veterinary teams will keep a close eye on the animal during the entire process and will adjust if anything feels off, and if you have any concerns, do not be afraid to speak up. They deeply understand how much this moment matters, and they are dedicated to making both you and your pet as comfortable as possible.

People are rightfully worried about things they’ve heard can happen afterward, like a twitch or a final breath. When these things do occur, they’re reflexes and involuntary responses from the body after the brain has already shut down. It’s not awareness or pain, and not a voluntary response occurring because of anything the animal is experiencing.

Understanding the process of euthanasia doesn’t make saying goodbye to a beloved family member any easier. But understanding how much care and understanding goes into every single step on the medical side can help quell some of the fear around the actual moment. Euthanasia is meant to prevent suffering, not cause it, and it’s much more peaceful than most people realize.

This story was originally published by PetHelpful on Jan 10, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add PetHelpful as a Preferred Source by clicking here.