Pet Euthanasia Is A Deeply Personal Choice

| Posted: 11-04-2007 | Comments: 0 | Views: 99 | Rating: (65)

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In the normal course of death, bereavement begins after demise. In some cases however, grief begins much earlier. For most pet owners, it begins the day they realize that a loved pet has to be put out of its sufferings - even though the actual loss may still be weeks or months away. This stage of grief is difficult because you cannot make an effort to get over something before it has happened; and no matter how bad you feel at this point you know that things are going to get worse - much worse before you can hope for closure.

Grief over impending loss becomes more complicated when there are difficult decisions to be made: How much treatment should you pursue? At what point should you discontinue treatment? At what point will treatment turn into trauma? At what point should you sign on the dotted line, and let your pet go free? Should you hold your pet when it's time or leave him alone?

While some pet owners feel it is important to be present during the time of euthanasia, many others feel unequal to the task and are quite unable to face such a traumatic experience. The willful, calculated and planned death of your beloved companion can have a lasting effect on your psyche. Therefore, while you may feel the need to hold your beloved pet during these last moments of goodbye, consider your own mental state before you make a decision.

'When I saw Anthony taking his last breath, I began to panic. It was as if something inside me wanted to pull open my skin and rush out. I could see the gentle look in his eyes, and it made me feel like a murderer. No matter what I knew in my head, my heart kept screaming out only one word - murderer, murderer, murderer.' - Melanie Hopkins, a grieving pet owner.

Most pet owners feel that the most important consideration at such a moment is the pet's well-being. If you believe that your presence would make your pet feel more secure and comfortable, you will probably want to stay - no matter how difficult it is for you at a personal level. On the other hand, if your pet tries to struggle or resists the vet because of your presence, you will have to stay out of sight. Similarly, if your own grief and distress causes anguish in your pet, it is wiser to stay away from the scene.

If your children are close to the pet, they may also express a desire to be present during the time. While young children may be too small to understand the repercussions of what is going on, the effect on older children cannot be predicted. It is therefore better to keep children away from the premises. In case of older teenagers, you may want to leave the decision entirely to them. If children are present during these difficult moments, make sure to explain and clarify your reasons. Explain the procedure and its effect on the pet.

There's nothing wrong if you decide to stay away at the time of euthanasia. You can still make the last moments of your pet comfortable. Make sure to carry a warm blanket and a favorite toy. Some hospitals keep cases to be euthanized till the end of the day. Make sure that this will not happen to your pet and that he or she is euthanized when you are still waiting.

Euthanasia is a deeply personal decision. It is also an individual decision. There is no right or wrong choice and nobody can sit in judgment. So long as your aim is to enable your pet to avoid unnecessary pain and suffering in the gentlest and the most humane way possible, all the decisions you make will be the right decisions.

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Article Tags: Euthanasia, Pet Urns, Pet Memorials

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Being with your pets when they pass is difficult, but has its own rewards emotionally. Ceremony too, is important; poignant and personalized memorials or pet urns are available that can help bring closure and happy memories.

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Pet Euthanasia Is A Deeply Personal Choice

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