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Coping with the Death of Your Pet |
Perhaps one of the kindest things you can do for a pet that is so sick or so severely injured that he or she will never recover to a normal life, is to have your veterinarian induce its death quietly and humanely through euthansia. Your decision to have your pet euthanatized is a serious one and seldom easy to make. Your veterinarian and your family and friends can help and support you. Consider not only what is best for your pet, but also what is best for you and your family. Quality of life is important for pets and people alike. If your pet can no longer do with you and your family the things he or she once injoyed, if your pet cannot respond to you in the usual ways, or if there is more pain than pleasure in his or her life, you may need to consider euthanasia. Your veterinarian understands attachment to pets and can examine and evaluate your pets condition, your pets chances for recover, and the potential disabilities and long-term problems. They can explain the medical options and possible outcomes. Because the veterinarian cannot make the decision for you, it is important that you fully understand what is going on with your pet's health. Rarely will the situation require an immediate decision. Usually, you will have time to review the facts before making a decision. The grief process is as individual as people are. For some it will last for a few days, for others it may last for years. Typcially, grief begins with denial, which offers a kind of protection until the person can realize thier loss. Some people feel anger, which may be directed at anyone involved with the pet. Caregivers may feel guild about what they did or did not do. After all this subsides, caregivers may experience true saddness. Not everyone will follow these classic signs of grief. Coping with the loss of a pet for a senior may be particularily hard. Those who live alone may feel a loss of purpose and great emptiness. The pet's death may also trigger painful memories of other losses. What's more, the decision to get another pet is complicated by the possibility that the pet may outlive the caregiver. Grief is a very personal experience but you need not face it alone. There are many forms of support available including pet-loss support hotlines, internet bereavement groups, books, videos, and magazine articles. Below you will find links to some very helpful websites. http://www.mypetloss.com/ http://rainbowsbridge.com/Grief_Support_Center/Grief_Support_Home.htm http://www.lightning-strike.com/index.htm http://www.aplb.org/services/euthanasia.html |