“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.” – Anatole France
Many owners ask if euthanizing pets is the hardest part of being a veterinarian. However, euthanasia is often a blessing and a gift to a suffering pet. The hardest part is actually telling families their pet has a terminal illness. It is heart wrenching and the most difficult part of our job.
Many families ask how they will know when it’s the right time. Consider these questions:
What are the top 4 or 5 things my pet loves to do? When your pet no longer finds joy in at least 3 of these things, it may be that his/her quality of life has been affected.
Do the good days exceed the bad days? Keeping track on a calendar can help you determine if your pet is having more bad days than good. Alternatively, you can keep two jars on the counter. One jar for good days, one jar for bad days. Drop a coin or marble into the appropriate jar each day. At the end of the week (or month), count the items in the jar. To be most effective, you shouldn’t be able to see into the jar without opening it.
If you have any concerns regarding your pet’s quality of life, please schedule a consultation. When the time comes, we will honor your pet with dignity and help you say good bye to your loving companion.