Some social media videos seen by the BBC seek to penetrate deep into the soul, even suggesting dogs’ eyes will dart around the consultation room, searching frantically for their beloved owner.
“This is nonsense,” says Weeks-Bell. “I have never encountered this [type of animal behaviour], and other vets will no doubt tell you the same.”
Dawn Murray, a pet grief counsellor and author, says she has challenged the creators of such videos as well as those who share them.
“I’ve had a lot of abuse for it,” she says. “These videos make my blood boil. They don’t understand the harm they cause. It’s not fair guilt-tripping people.
“Dogs aren’t looking around for their owners, as vets say. Before they’re sedated, they might be in discomfort because of their condition or they’re looking to sleep.”
Murray says she has had clients who “would have done anything to be there at the end”, but could not be there for either practical or emotional reasons.
“I have been there when pets have been put to sleep when their owners could not have been,” she adds. “The love and care shown by the vet and nurses has always been second to none.”