Saying Goodbye
Losing a pet is a delicate situation, and we understand that dealing with the loss is exceedingly difficult. We make certain that the process of putting your pet to sleep is carried out in a delicate and humane manner.
Choosing to Euthanize
Many pet owners fear choosing euthanasia for their pet because they see it as giving up on them or lacking the ability to provide for them. In reality, deciding to euthanize a suffering pet is one of the most humane choices you can make. Oftentimes, we selfishly try to keep our pets with us as long as possible, causing our pet pain and misery. If your pet would benefit from an eternal sleep, the veterinarian can walk you through the procedure and answer any questions you might have.
During the process, pet owners are allowed to be in the room as their pet passes.
What happens after?
After putting your pet to sleep, you can decide to take your pet home with you to be buried or have your pet cremated. Because saying goodbye is difficult, we recommend having after death plans arranged prior to your visit for euthanasia.
No matter what you decide to do, don’t feel pressured to choose one option or another; choose the option that is best for you.
Dealing with the loss
After we lose a beloved pet, we can go through stages of grief in various sequences:
- Denial – wondering how you will survive without your pet. Often ask yourself “why” questions, such as “why me?” or “why now?”.
- Anger – usually anger is directed at people around you and is your only way to outwardly express your feelings.
- Bargaining – asking yourself “what if” questions about alternative decisions you could have made or things you could have done differently.
- Depression – a feeling of emptiness without your pet or feeling that life isn’t as happy as it used to be.
- Acceptance – the acknowledgement that your new reality exists, though not stating it is acceptable. Finally understanding that your pet is gone.
Pet owners cope in various ways, and there are numerous services that help make the loss of a pet easier. There are pet crematories that can help preserve your pet, pet loss hotlines, and even support groups. Finding an outlet that allows you to manage your loss is very important.
If you have any questions about the process of putting a pet to sleep, or want to schedule an appointment to see if it would be beneficial for your pet’s condition, contact our office at 270.692.0004
