Saying Goodbye to Your Dog
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Regardless of how well you care for your dog during his life, old age will ultimately catch up with him. It could be a slow or quick decrease. There may be good days, when your dog wakes up with his famed enthusiasm for life, eats well, and excitedly wags his tail when you talk to or pat him, and bad days, when your dog refuses to get out of bed for his favorite toy or reward. The bright days will restore your faith, while the bad days will destroy your heart.
As your dog’s caregiver and friend, it’s up to you to decide when the bad days can’t go on any longer and when it’s time to put your dog down. When an elderly friend is nearing the end of his life and suffering, euthanasia is a present you can give him to put his life to a peaceful end with you by his side. It is a difficult decision to make, but it is a wise and humane one.
Is It Time Put Your Dog Down?
Discuss the possibility of euthanizing your dog with your family so that everyone is prepared. Call your veterinarian and discuss your options with him. When you and your veterinarian agree that the time has come, your veterinarian should make arrangements to take you immediately so that you can be alone with your pet in a quiet room. If taking your dog to the vet will stress him out, ask for a light sedative to give him before you come over, then go pick it up so you may give it to your dog at the appropriate time.
Dogs are incredibly sensitive to human feelings, and the anguish you feel as you watch him struggle and consider death may cause further stress for him. It is your responsibility as her friend and caregiver to keep your emotions in check and your attention on her. Sing to her, tell her about your fondest times together, remind her how much you love her, and remember the joy you shared. In her final moments, treat her with love and tenderness.
Consider what you want to do with your dog’s body once he dies. Do you want to bury him near your house if he’s small enough? Do you want to bury him in a pet cemetery where you can visit him for many years to come? Do you want the veterinarian to cremate him? Make a decision that is right for you and that you will not be sorry for later.
Euthanasia is a painless process that involves injecting a deadly dose of anesthetic into a vein. As the medicine enters the dog’s bloodstream, he loses consciousness and his systems shut down, resulting in a peaceful, pain-free death. You can be certain that all he feels is a minor prick from the needle.
You should remain with your dog till the finish. Talk to him and tell him how much you appreciate him as a friend and how much you will miss him. It’s natural to cry, so don’t feel ashamed. If you wish to be with your dog for a few minutes after he dies, your doctor will understand.
Deciding on Euthanasia
It’s never easy to know when the time is right to let your dog go. It can help to look at his overall quality of life. This means honestly evaluating his appetite, attitude, activity level, comfort, elimination habits, and interaction with people, especially family members. Ask yourself the following questions:
- Does my dog have more good days than bad?
- Can he still do his favorite things?
- Is he still capable of controlling his urination and defecation?
- Does he still like to eat?
- Does he act as if he’s in pain more often than not?
- Does he still enjoy being petted and talked to?
If you answer no to the majority of these questions, it’s time to talk to your veterinarian about euthanasia. Although it’s difficult to face, sometimes a dog is so sick or old or severely injured that he will never recover normal health. When this is the case, the kindest thing you can do is to give him a quiet, humane death.
Talking to Family Members
Your partner is probably aware of the same things you are about your dog’s illness, but if he or she is particularly attached to the dog, it’s easier to disregard or ignore the terrible reality. Bring up the matter gently and go over the questions above. If your spouse adores the dog, he or she will not wish for him to suffer.
Finances might be an issue at times. Life-saving procedures or long-term medical care can be costly. You must debate frankly and honestly if your budget can withstand the burden. You may be able to meet the expense by making some concessions, such as foregoing restaurant meals or cutting back in other ways, but this isn’t always achievable.
If you have children, it is critical to include them in the decision-making process. Even if kids aren’t old enough to completely comprehend the ramifications, you can explain to them that your dog is really sick and that the veterinarian won’t be able to help him this time. Allowing children to express themselves is beneficial. Answer their inquiries honestly and simply. Use the phrase “putting the dog to sleep” sparingly. This can startle young children and make them fearful of going to bed at night.
Talking to Your Veterinarian
Your veterinarian is an animal lover. After all, that’s why she’s in this line of work. There is no one who can understand how you feel or the difficulty of the decision you are facing. It’s difficult for a veterinarian to euthanize a favorite patient, so don’t be concerned that your queries and worries are wasting her time. Although she cannot make the decision for you, your veterinarian can assist you by thoroughly outlining your dog’s illness, chances of recovery, and long-term prognosis. With this information, you can make the best option for you and your dog.
When Your Friend Is Gone
You might be surprised at how much your dog’s death affects you. When you think about it, even if you knew deep down that this was going to happen, you were still trying to be strong and cheerful, if only to offer your dog hope. Now that your buddy is genuinely gone, you will weep for her loss, but you will also feel relief from all the days, if not years, of holding on for her sake.
Your home will be different without your dog, and everything will remind you of her – her old bed, bowls, collar, favorite toys, and favorite areas. We are fortunate to live in a time when it is recognized how passionately people love their dogs; in fact, some people feel more affection for their dogs than for other people in their lives, thus their loss will be felt more intensely. Your family will be grieving as well, and it’s crucial to enable everyone to grieve in their own way and at their own pace, as well as to communicate about their thoughts.
There are several Web sites that offer grief therapy after the loss of a pet. There are memorial areas as well as online support groups. This is a difficult moment for many people, and you should consider using these services, since the loss of such a friend is always difficult to accept.
If you or anyone in your family is having a particularly tough time, or if you simply want to know that you are not alone in your grief, you can discover books on coping with the loss of a pet in your local bookshop, library, or online. Speaking with other dog owners can also be beneficial because they are likely to have had a similar experience and understand what you are going through. There are also pet-loss hotlines where you can speak with others who can provide a sympathetic ear. It is critical to pay tribute to your friend’s memories. Your heart will mend over time, and you know she will always be there for you.
