When to euthanize --- Making that horrible decision
Making the decision to euthanize a companion animal is often harder than dealing with the loss itself. Many people say they can accept the death and accompanying sadness, but have great difficulty being the one who must decide when death will occur. When Muffin, our 16 year old alpha male was in terminal decline due to acute kidney failure, I would think to myself; "I wish that I would wake up tomorrow morning and find that he has died in his sleep. That way I won't have to make the decision that I have been dreading... to end his life." I have found my feelings reflected by many who watch their companion animals struggle against a fatal condition. As you face the painful decision about euthanizing your pet, let the following questions be your guide;
 | Is there a reasonable chance for a cure? ...for comfort? |
| How much additional time might treatment give? |
| What will the quality of that time be? |
| Do I have the financial and emotional resources to handle long-term medical care, if needed? |
| Will I have the necessary physical and emotional stamina to attend to my pet's needs? (getting up at night... preparing a special diet... giving injections?) |
| Is our relationship changing or decreasing in quality as I anticipate the loss? |
| How many of my pet's usual activities are still possible? |
| Is my pet suffering, even though physical pain is not evident? |
When a pet is suffering --- or has a severely diminished quality of life --- and you decide to help it on it's way, it is necessary for you to remember that you are doing what you believe is best for your animal friend. Let that thought remain uppermost in your mind as you face that decision, and again as you look back on the action you take.
When a pet's life has to be ended, grief may be intensified. If you question the action you took, it is important to recall what led up to your decision. Was the accident or illness irreversible? Was life bringing your pet more pain than pleasure? Did you choose quality over quantity of life?
Animals are survivors. They will struggle to stay alive until they draw their last breath. Ending the life of a suffering animal --- or one with a severely diminished quality of life --- is the loving, compassionate thing to do. A final act of caring is to see that your pet's life is ended gently. Your animal friend will then close it's eyes for the last time knowing that it's trust in you was well placed.
"You fought hard to stay alive, my friend. In the end, though, you couldn't conquer death. But neither did death conquer you. Death cures all diseases, mends all broken bones, breaks all chains... and made you free at last."