Losing a beloved pet is something none of us ever wish to experience or think about. Taking a moment to plan before such a time comes allows you to make decisions about honoring and preserving the memory of your pet without feeling rushed or uncertain as you’re flooded with emotions.
Assisting injured, sick, and elderly pets in their passing has always been an accepted practice. This accepted means of humanely alleviating the suffering of animals is referred to as euthanasia. You may also hear it referred to as ‘putting the animal to sleep’ or ‘putting the animal down.’
This is the hardest decision a pet owner will ever have to make. It is often a decision that must be made after many years of devoted love and companionship between owner and pet. Sometimes an owner will meet with judgmental condemnation concerning this matter from others. It takes courage to consider this option and it is always a good idea to seek the advice of a professional veterinarian.
Pre-planning and hospice could be an option if you have the time to decide and plan the final moments with your pet. Pre-planning helps aid you in knowing that the aftercare and cremation arrangements have all been made, therefore providing you with a greater peace of mind. Resources are available if you choose in-home euthanasia. We work with the area’s best in-home veterinarians.
Be prepared to answer questions about your pet’s behavior in recent weeks and days.
After expressing this vital information to the vet, your pet will need to be examined by the doctor. This way the vet can determine if your pet is suffering from a terminal illness, has an injury or illness that cannot be successfully treated, or if the animal is in ongoing discomfort that cannot be eased with medicine.
At this point you have some options that should be given some thought. Many choose to have their pet euthanized at that moment when the terminal diagnosis is given. Others choose to take their pet and spend the time they have left, together, in the comfortable surroundings of their home. By working with your vet or an in-home vet, the pet is euthanized at home, many times with candles and soft music, if the owner chooses.
We can help you either at the time of diagnosis or before to facilitate arrangements and recommend a mobile veterinarian if your current vet does not offer that service. Since this period can be very traumatic, many people are choosing pre-planning services, similar to human loved ones. We recommend this and are happy to sit down with you and help you plan. Pre-planning can give you a peace of mind knowing that all the arrangements have been made and your wishes for final moments with your pet are taken care of. There is no need to scramble for names and numbers, but instead spend quality moments with your pet.
You aren’t alone in this decision, and there is a network of support, including the stories and inspirations from our own friends who have suffered a loss. Please visit our Words of Kindness page to read others’ experiences and stories in dealing with the loss of their pet in hopes that it may in time ease the pain.
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