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Working at a veterinarian hospital, I inevitably received those dreadful phone calls from owners asking if it was
time to put their beloved dog to sleep. Unfortunately, I was never able to give them that straight heart-aching,
black or white answer they were ultimately craving for. As I listened to them compassionately, in the midst of
their sobbing for help, I always faithfully stuck to my personal opinion that as owners, it was their ultimate
choice since they knew their dog best, having lived and rejoiced with him or her for so many years.
I always advised the "It's all about quality of life" philosophy and suggested them to rationally check if their dog
had more bad days than good.
These were those compassionate owners truly concerned about their dog's over all wellbeing. They were
trying their best to cope with the idea that their dog's life was coming shortly to an end and were gathering
their emotional forces to be prepared for their final day.
These were clients dealing with their pet's chronic diseases for years and willing to do all that could have been
possibly done to help their pet manage sickness as comfortably as possible. When their dog's days were
getting close to an end, as veterinary staff, we suffered as well, since we have seen these dogs for many
years and grew emotionally attached to them. We found ourselves in tears many times, hugging the owners
as the pain and sorrow seemed to seep deep into the animal clinic...
As dog owners, we all would love if our dogs could live much longer lives. For some occult reason, when dogs
turn geriatric, it just feels as if their lives have come to an end too soon, and way too too abruptly. The years
spent together seem to have passed much too quickly and in such a merciless manner, that it just seems
yesterday when they were prancing around in their early puppy-hood stage...
We all as well would wish our dogs would pass peacefully in their sleep as they put their head down on their
favorite pillow for the last time. Unfortunately, many pets suffer as they age, either being crippled by arthritis
or even worse, debilitating diseases such as cancer. As we work our best on relieving most of the pain
through the miracles of modern medicine, there comes a specific moment where we can clearly see our pet's
bodies turn frail and eventually give up.
If dogs could talk, the process of putting a pet to sleep would be much easier, but since dog's have been
spared the gift of voice, we must read into more subtle signs depicting physical deterioration. Here comes into
place my personal advice of ''owners only knowing their pets best.''
Only owners are ultimately capable of knowing how their dog copes with physical pain and how they respond
to everyday life. It is in my belief, that at a certain point, the dog itself will express it is time to go. There is just
that something in their behavior, (that perhaps only owners may perceive) that will suggest they are ready for
the Rainbow bridge. It could either be a look in their eyes, an expression on their face or the simple lack of a
tail wagging.
However, regardless of personal opinion on when to put a dog to sleep, I must admit that as a veterinary
assistant, I have seen some cases where the euthanasia procedure seemed to be done at a too premature
stage or at a too advanced stage.
I have seen owners go for the procedure right upon diagnosis of cancer or kidney failure. In these cases, the
dogs may still have had a few good weeks or even probably months. Yet, owners may have not been able to
afford the financial burden that comes along these diseases or may have not been able to withstand viewing
the physical deterioration of their best friend. Some perhaps simply wished to spare their dog from any
suffering at all...
In other cases, the dog seemed to have gone way over the stage of "admissible deterioration", in an
unnecessary spiral of mental and physical pain. In these cases, I know the owners very likely were unable to
"let go" and tried their hardest to hold on to their pet as long as they possibly could until their dog was only a
lifeless shadow.
The way in between is in my opinion, "the golden way to go". If you are debating over whether it is time to put
your dog to sleep remember to cherish every day and every moment with your dog, because those very last
days will always be in your heart.
When your dog's time comes, he or she will let you know it is time to cross the Rainbow Bridge in a leap of
faith. Dogs unlike humans do not fear death because they live in the moment. Do not worry for your dog, he
/she will be in a better place and best of all, will be eternally pain free.
Very likely, if you stay for the euthanesia procedure, you may literally see your dog look into your eyes for a
last time almost to say: "Thank you owner for loving me so much" then she will take a deep breath and
peacefully drift into better life, looking over you for many years to come..
By Alexadry on Hubpages
A dog owner's toughest decision revealed
| If you are in need of medical assistance for your pet and are debating having your pet euthanized due to financial difficulty, please talk to your veterinarian and mention The Lunch Box Foundation for Pets. Your veterinarian's office will contact our foundation for assistance. For more information on answering the difficult question of "When is it time?", please read the article below. |
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