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How to Put Your Animal to Rest

Posted December 15th, 2016 by admin

TO LOVE AGAIN

Oh what unhappy twist of fate
Has brought you homeless to my gate,
The gate where once another stood
To beg for shelter, warmth and food?

For from that day I ceased to be
The master of my destiny,
While she, with purr and velvet paw
Became within my house the law.

She scratched the furniture and shed
And claimed the middle of my bed,
She ruled in arrogance and pride
And broke my heart the day she died.

So if you really think, oh cat
I’d willingly relive all that,
Because you come forlorn and thin
Well don’t just stand there – come on in!

~Author Unknown

 

Our pets are our family. No, they may not verbally interact with us, but each of them communicates with us in their own way. They have hurts and pain just as we do and as their humans, we love them deeply – and that love is returned to us one hundredfold.

In last month’s post, we learn about a family’s cats and the loss of their beloved George, and most of us could relate to the pain and void of a pet passing. But in so many cases, one of the hardest parts of losing a pet is having to make the decision to allow our pet to pass on.

While we all love our pets and want what is best for them, knowing what is best is not always easy. Sure, we know when and what to feed them, what their favorite toys are and where they love to play is fun, but with the joy comes the responsibility of making the tough decisions, too. There are many tips from vets and grief experts that we would like to share for helping you when faced with the decision to lay your pet to rest. And, while saddening, it is always better to have a plan rather than having to deal with a hurting or aging pet and trying to decide what to do next.

  • Get an Expert’s advice. When your pet begins acting poorly or becomes sick, a vet visit is a must! Talk to the vet and learn about your pet’s outlook and pain levels. If your pet is sick, focus on how to relieve his pain. Ask the vet to put things in writing. When we are distressed, it is easy to miss important details.
  • Bring a spouse or trusted friend with you. Many times having someone who is able to think more clearly and with fewer emotions involved helps. They can also help you remember things the vet said.
  • Plan ahead. Make a list of your pet’s top five favorite things. The day may come when these things no longer interest him. Decide how many of those five things will have to become unimportant to your pet before you realize that their quality of life is at risk.
  • Make arrangements in advance. Not just for the how, but the when, and the how much. Take time to discuss the process and payment plan beforehand. If possible, pay it in advance as having to pay after your pet has passed, or getting a bill in the mail later makes the loss more poignant.
  • Consider your pet. Think about your pet and envision how you think they would like their last moments to be spent.
  • Talk to those involved. If you have children, don’t make the decision without taking them. Children, especially younger ones, can handle the loss of a pet better if they are given simple, truthful, straightforward answers losing a pet.
  • The Day of. This is when many pet owners allow their pet to do those “bad” things they usually can’t do. Be it eat table scraps, sit on the bed or another forbidden activity, doing something fun and memorable can help ease the pain.
  • Tell others. Consider letting close friends know you are putting your pet to rest. They may wish to come spend time with you and your pet, plus they can provide support for you afterwards. Also, see if your vet will do a home visit for the procedure, as that often makes all those involved more comfortable.

Keep in mind that having a chance to say goodbye to our pets before ending their suffering will help you have closure. It’s okay to cry, to feel anger, hurt and loss after our furry companions. You may wish to check out sites such as Rainbow Bridge, Lap of Love, or Peaceful Passing to help you through this difficult process. You don’t have to go through it alone and there is no pat answer for how to handle each scenario.

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