THE FINAL DECISION - HOW DO WE KNOW WHEN THE TIME IS RIGHT

The decision to euthanize a dear pet is one of the toughest decision a person may have to make in their life. Because we are not able to make a similar choice for our human family members, taking a step to end the life of your pet stands alone as perhaps the most momentous decision a person may have to make in their life. Even though we keep telling ourselves that our decision will be a merciful act we are torn by the idea that we will be killing our faithful friend.

So how can we know when it is time to end our companion's life. There may be no universal answer to the question. Each person must look from their own personal perspective. What may be for one person the right time to decide on a merciful death, may not be the right time for another. To help you make such a life changing decision please consider the following question and look honestly into your own heart for the answers.

Is your pet still enjoying life or is he or she just enduring life ?

Does your pet experience more bad days than good ?

Are you keeping you pet alive only because you are dreading the loss ?

What would you want for yourself if you exchanged places with your pet ?

Does your pet still enjoy eating or going for a walk ?

Do you think your pet is in a lot of pain most of the time and the medications aren’t

helping?

Has your pet lost mental clarity ?

Is your pet a danger or liability to you, your family or friends ?

Is the care of your pet more than you or your family can handle?

Can you afford to take care of your pet ?

Can you psychological deal with your pets problems ?

Is your old pet left home alone most of the day ?

Do all family members agree that it is time?

Do you think you are keeping the pet alive for selfish reason—and it would really

be kinder to end the suffering but you can’t bring yourself to do it ?

Do you understand that other members of the family may be more attached to the

pet than you are and may be suffering more over the decision ?

The decision to end your pet's life, in spite of the great loss you will have to live with, is a truly courageous act. It is the final act of friendship and loyalty you are able to provide your faithful companion.

HONORING YOUR PET'S LIFE

Dr. Simon's son and his deceased dog Rags

On behalf of   Dr. Simon and the staff of the Woodside Animal Clinic we lower our heads for a moment and offer you our condolences and sincerest sympathy at the loss of your pet.   We understand your pain and we are  honored to have this opportunity to pay our respect to your dear companion who has recently passed. 

If your deceased pet was our patient then we  welcome you to create a lasting tribute for your beloved friend on our website's "Pet Memorial Page".   Please Email us a eulogy of you dear pet and we will be more than happy to enter it on our memorial page.   

 What follows  is a touching story, by an unknown author, that is a beautiful  tribute to our four legged and 2 legged friends who have passed away.   It acknowledges the depth of our relationship with our pets and makes very real the extent of "human animal bond"  

The Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal who has been especially close to someone dies, that pet goes to the Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food and water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. 

Animals who were ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them from days and times gone by.

The animals are happy and content, except for one thing: they miss someone very special to them; the person they left behind.

All of the animals run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; his eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to break away from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. Happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together…

Author unknown

 

              UNDERSTANDING THE STAGES OF GRIEVING

In last few decades  a tremendous growth of interest and concern about the human-animal bond.has occured.  Because of this  there has developed a much greater understanding of the nature, strength and significance of the bond that develops between humans and their non-human companions. Today it is not uncommon for owners to perceive their pet as "a friend" or as "member of the family". We now know that the extent of emotional attachment a person can develop for his or her pet goes far beyond what we once thought.

As we learn more about the extent of this human-animal bond we begin to understand how the death of a special animal companion can produce feelings of loss that were previously thought to occur only when people die. A pet owner that grieves and mourns the death of a beloved pet should no longer be considered confused or neurotic. Openly grieving the loss of a close relationship whether it be with a human or animal is a very healthy but often difficult thing to do. People in the process of grieving for their pet need the full understanding, encouragement, and emotional support of their friends, family and veterinarian.

Just as owning, caring for, and loving a pet shapes and modifies the life of an owner, a pet's death alters and reshapes an owner's sense of who he is and how he is to behave. The death of a pet is more than the demise of  "just a dog or cat" or "just a bird"; it signals the end of a unique period in a person's life and can dramatically change the person's best laid plans for the future.

Death in any form is a difficult issue -- one that is often avoided and ignored. For some people, an owner's reaction to the death of a pet is seen as childish, stupid, even crazy. These same people do not accept mourning for a pet as legitimate and necessary. The lack of understanding and acceptance these people show for the grieving pet owner often suppresses mourning and inhibits the healing that comes with the expression of open public grief.

It is very important for people who are not animal lovers to understand that a close relationship with a pet is really no different nor less valid than a close relationship with a human being. Caring for a pet and allowing that relationship, in life and death, to influence an owner need not be viewed as either good or bad; rather, having companion animals adds a richness and depth to many human lives and is therefore appropriate for those people.

Pets more often than not are a member of the family. They serve as friends, confidants and companion. And that is why the loss of a beloved pet brings on very predictable stages of grief although each person grieves in their own unique way. Natural phases of the grieving process include:

Denial

Accepting the death of a pet that is a dear friend is one the most difficult things a person must do in their life. Consequently it is not surprising that in the face of such a loss the pets caregiver will want to deny the truth.

Anger

As the reality of the loss becomes real, anger most often surfaces and is directed toward friends, family members caregivers, their veterinarian and others. It not unusual for people to strike out verbally and say things they don’t mean. Others experience anger differently and turn it inward. These people may feel guilty because they believe they should have done more or have done something differently. Most often this is not true and only serves to make it more difficult for the person to cope

Sadness

This is usually the longest stage of the grieving process. During this stage family members may feel empty and alone as they see themselves facing life without their best friend. If the affected person does not receive adequate support from friends and family he or she may become depressed and that will affect many aspects of their life. These people may benefit from pet loss support groups or professional counseling.

Acceptance

In this final stage of grieving people begin to return to a more normal life. While they wish their pet were still with them they accept their death and move on. They cherish the fond memories they have of their pet.

Remember there is no right or wrong way to grieve.  Each person grieves in their own way. Some people will go through certain stages very quickly where as other will take much longer.   Always keep in mind that grieving is a very personnel process so don't  let others tell you how you how to do it.