OLD DOGS
It’s inevitable. Pets just don’t live as long as people, and we’re eventually called upon to make tough decisions. One of my clients recently lost a beloved dog, a sweet and snuggly Corgi mix. The pup was an old girl, prone to fits of dementia and the occasional accident in the house. Still, she was loving, mobile and doing all the things dogs enjoy for quite a while. It was very difficult to decide when to let her go. In our world of medical miracles and heroic measures, this is usually the case, and there’s almost never a clear answer when considering a prolonged life versus a peaceful death for our pets.
We don’t really talk about it, and that’s a shame… there’s so much we could do for each other. No one knows exactly when or how, of course, but there are decisions that can be made now which will reduce your level of stress when the time does come to say goodbye.
Quality of Life: Decide now what this means to you and your dog. Do you feel that your dog can still enjoy life if he’s no longer able to walk? What if he has a difficult treatment plan, like major surgery, chemotherapy or amputation? Is he a couch potato who you think will be happy napping on the sofa, as long as he isn’t in pain? As heartless as it may sound, is there an amount of money you simply can’t afford to pay for proper treatment? Don’t feel guilty considering these things.
The Final Gift: If you could arrange a perfect death for your dog, what would it look like? There are practitioners who can come to your home and will follow your lead if you don’t want a stressful trip to the vet. If you would prefer to say goodbye and not stay for the procedure, vets will nearly always respect that decision. Find out how your hospital handles euthanasia, so there will be no surprises in your time of grief.
Remembrance: There is no right or wrong way to remember a pet after he’s gone. Some people keep their pal’s remains, either in an urn or a decorative glass piece. Others prefer the tradition and public tribute of a pet cemetery, or a memorial stone in their own garden. You may not want any memorial at all, preferring to remember your dog as the vibrant troublemaker he was in life. It’s all valid, and you should go with your heart. Be sure your vet is aware of your decision beforehand.
Above all, be gentle with yourself in the final weeks or months of your dog’s life, and allow yourself to grieve. There are counselors who specialize in pet loss if you feel you need to talk to someone. These caring professionals will never tell you your friend was “just a dog”.
My Annie is getting up there in years, and the problems are mounting; Diabetes, Arthritis, a general sort of crankiness at times… with luck, the “bad day” is a long way off, but I’m thinking about the best way to approach it. My best friend deserves no less.
