Source: imagen4 Dogs live ten to fifteen years, some longer, some shorter. The farewell is part of it, even if it never feels right. This page gathers what owners need in this phase: guidance in decision-making, support on the final leg, contacts in DACH for burial and bereavement counselling. And honest words about what comes after. Without sugar-coating, without time schedules: grief has no expiry date, and no path is the only right one.
When Is It Time?
No one can take this question away from you. There is no foolproof checklist, but there are indicators: Does your dog still eat with pleasure? Are the bad days more frequent than the good ones? Quality-of-life scales such as HHHHHMM help you have an honest conversation with the vet.
Palliative care and support
When healing is no longer the goal, quality of life becomes the task. Pain management, an adapted daily routine, and finally the question of how: Euthanasia at home is possible in many regions, allowing the dog to die in a familiar environment. You can find practices offering home visits in the directory.
Health & Care As a dog owner, you know that your loyal furry friend will one day no longer be by your side. Health & Care Saying goodbye to your dog is painful, but it can be planned.
When the time comes: Why early preparation for saying goodbye is important
Farewell with Dignity: How to Make Your Dog’s Final Journey Easier
Funeral and remembrance
In Switzerland, Germany and Austria there is a good network of pet crematoriums and pet cemeteries. Anyone who wishes to bury their dog on their own property should check the cantonal or municipal regulations beforehand. Mementoes help many people: a paw print, a lock of hair, a memorial entry in the rundum.dog profile under ‘In Memoriam’.
Grief, and what comes next
The loss of a dog is a real loss. Anyone who does not understand this has never had one. In the DACH region there is specialised grief support for pet owners, often with a free initial consultation. Getting a new dog quickly does not make you weak, but honest with yourself. Taking months to recover deserves just as much respect, entirely without pressure to explain.
Where to go from here
If your dog is acutely unwell, you will find the knowledge for the first minutes in the First Aid & Emergency section. For the years leading up to this, the Senior Dog life stage accompanies you: precautionary care, mobility, a dignified twilight of life.
On the platform: You can find vets near you in the directory, the Senior Dog life stage covers the years leading up to this, and in the Dog Profile you can switch a profile to memorial status.