Pet Euthanasia Sucks: Here is how you can survive it.

The day had come that no pet owner wants to face: pet euthanasia. I hated it when it came time to end the life of my soul dog — Marley. She was my bestie.

Marley was terminally sick from a cancer that was eating away her nasal passage and brain. To look at her you would never know she had cancer. She was gorgeous.

But the CT scan revealed a honking tumor that made even the attending veterinarians weep. They were surprised she was alive and they offered us her death sentence of days to four weeks.

I always wondered about those death sentences. How can they predict something like that? Yes the tumor was large! No they couldn’t operate! No they couldn’t do chemo or radiation because that would kill her!

Seriously — nothing?

They gave me up to four weeks to make the gut wrenching, puke inducing decision to end the life of my companion from her earthly suffering. But they didn’t know who they were dealing with.

I’m a warrior when it comes to my dog and fierce when it comes to the health and safety of my companions. Marley and I were soul partners — I had to conjure up my superhuman powers to get beyond those four weeks of hell.

The good news is — four weeks turned into ten months

If there is any good news to my story it had to be the fact I debunked the prediction of the oncologists.

I tried to wrap my head around the fact that this decision was an act of kindness. This did not make the act any easier, however.

I know firsthand the grief that Pet Euthanasia brings to a family. I understand how hard it can be to agree to end the life of your furry friend. Any pet owner will do anything possible to extend his or her pet’s life, but when you have exhausted all options, Pet Euthanasia is often your only — and painful — choice.

Here are some tips to make these last days and last moments very special for the both of you.

Is Pet Euthanasia the Right Thing To Do?

I understand how difficult it can be to part ways with your best friend. When I was first confronted with this decision, I had to make the best decision I could. On one hand, I didn’t want my terminally ill senior dog to suffer anymore. But I didn’t want her to physically leave me. Marley was my soul-mate.

The decision to provide Pet Euthanasia is not a cruel one, though it may feel it that way. Pet Euthanasia provides a peaceful end to your pet’s suffering.

When making this decision, you must consider your pet’s quality of life. But you also need to consider what is best for you and your family. If your pet’s quality of life is seriously impaired by an illness or injury Pet Euthanasia is the most humane option. Consider if your pet can do the things he or she once enjoyed, if he or she is still happy, and/or if your companion has lost their dignity.

Pet Euthanasia is often the choice when your pet is in significant pain or distress. If he or she cannot perform the acts of daily living anymore without considerable suffering, his or her quality of life has diminished. Pet Euthanasia is not a cruel decision at this point. You are doing what is best by making a life or death decision for your pet’s well-being.

Telling Your Family

Handling Pet Euthanasia is painful, but it can feel even more so when you have to tell your family.

If you can, a helpful course of action when handling this part of the process is to include your family in the decision. Call a family meeting. Present the reasons why you feel euthanasia is best and be open to listening to what others are feeling.

If you have children, they may have questions about the process. In my book, Healing a Child’s Pet Loss I talk about this in great detail and I also have useful ideas and resources for helping the entire family with pet loss grief.

Be sure to offer support. Some of your family members may not agree with the decision. It may upset them. Explain why it is best and hug your family. Openly discuss your feelings and listen as your family members discuss theirs.

Moving forward with this decision as a family can help you all heal together. This decision will impact everyone. As long as you support each other, you will heal each other’s hearts.

Say Goodbye

When you have reached this difficult decision, it is important to prepare yourself and your family for the final good bye. Saying goodbye to your pet is a difficult but loving and healing part of handling Pet Euthanasia.

Give each family member a chance to say goodbye to the family pet alone. You could each spend some time petting your pet and talking to him or her, or you could do your favorite activity with your companion. Make this a special time that helps you all feel supported through the tears.

If your pet is in hospice. Bring him or her a favorite toy and show lots of love. This is as much about grieving as celebrating his life.

Be Present for the Pet Euthanasia

Your pet will be nervous in the vet clinic, so your presence will help your companion feel better. Being in the room with your companion’s final moments can give you closure and help him or her feel at ease.

Don’t prevent your children from being there if appropriate. This is a chance for them to understand what has happened to their beloved friend. It also lets the family grieve as a whole.

Offer your pet comfort by holding or petting him. Talk to your companion and let them know how much you love them. Even if your companion is very sick or sedated, he or she will know you are there.

After the Pet Euthanasia

It may be helpful to spend some time alone with your pet after. Let the family grieve together and say farewell a final time.

After they have taken away your pet to be cremated or prepared for burial, your family could hold a service. You can plan ways to memorialize and celebrate life. A pet loss poem, a video, or framed pictures are ways you can memorialize your pet forever.

Funerals also help provide closure. You can have a burial or a memorial service together. Take turns eulogizing the pet, sharing your favorite memories of him.

While handling euthanasia is sad, it is a chance to come to terms with grief together as a family. You have a chance to say goodbye to your pet before they reach the end of their life. You can also comfort your companion during the final moments and celebrate their life afterward with a wonderful memorial service. You must do what is best for you, your family, and your pet.

How have you handled this tough decision? Did you have family members that were involved?

Get your free gift on CenterForPetLossGrief.com.

And if you are looking for some resources to guide you on your pet loss grief journey I have some wonderful tools.