Euthanasia, Is it Your Pet's Only Choice
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Everyone thinks euthanasia is essential when a beloved pet is facing their final moments. Having put animals to sleep in the past, I fiercely debated this prescribed notion when my 16 year old dog was failing simply due to old age. I ultimately decided to keep him at home with me until the end.
With that choice, came new responsibilities. I had to do things I had never done before, like spreading newspapers and plastic sheeting in areas where my dog laid. It meant helping him navigate the front porch steps due to arthritis and sight issues, and finding new patience with little things like waiting for him to do his bathroom duties. Sometimes this activity took tens-of-minutes instead of seconds.
I found, as the process evolved, that my dog began doing things I didn’t think he could do any longer. The biggest challenge had been keeping him from going up or down the basement stairwell. With 15 steps to climb, that journey had been deemed a forbidden activity, so a blockade was erected at the top of the landing. Then one evening during his last days, I came home and found him at the bottom of this stairwell, flat on his side.
He was lying so still I feared he had fallen and broken all the bones in his legs. As I raced down the steps and shouted his name I noticed he was still breathing. It took a minute to rouse him, and when he lifted his head he looked at me like, what’s all the fuss? I was relieved and amazed simultaneously. He had wanted to be near the place that he loved, the outdoors, and somehow had made it with no ill effects.
Making the choice to let your pet live out its natural life, or ending it, can be a difficult and heart wrenching process. For some it is an easy choice. For others, like me, it is more difficult.
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If you are contemplating the choice between natural death and euthanasia, here are some things to consider:
1) Is your pet in uncontrollable pain?
2) Can you handle any and all incontinence issues? This often involves many cleaning chores, multiple times a day.
3) Can the animal walk on its own?
4) Can you handle assisting the pet in ways unfamiliar to you both? For example, if my dog’s back legs didn’t work fluidly when first arising, I would help him up so he could carry on his way.
5) Can you make allowances for loss of sight and/or hearing?
6) Are you willing, or able, to put in the time it takes to care for your pet’s new needs?
7) How much does the animal fear the vet’s office?
8) Does the pet want to die at home in familiar surroundings?
There is no shame in putting an animal to sleep if that is what’s best for both of you. There is also no shame in keeping the animal with you if you decide it is the better option.
Euthanasia is an accepted practice in this country, while non-euthanasia seems controversial. Listening to your pet can often help you decide which is best for you and your friend. There is no right or wrong answer, only the one that fits with your moral and ethical beliefs.
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It is a very hard decision to decide those things. And very odd that non euthanasia is so controvercial. You'd really think it would be the other way around. But you're right.
Thanks, Lgali and Frieda. I appreciate your comments.
Braney, some friends' dog that they'd had since he was a pup, went blind, then deaf from old age. Then his back legs quit working. He could barely move off the pallet he slept on. They wrestled for weeks about putting him to sleep, because he was obviously *not* enjoying being blind, deaf and partially paralyzed. With heavy hearts, a date was set. On the very morning they were to take him to the vet, they came downstairs to find Barney had passed peacefully during the night. As if he wanted to save them from having to do what neither wanted to do. Of course, they didn't think they could ever replace him, but a few months later we were all amazed that they found a puppy at the pound that could've been Barney reincarnated. It was uncanny how much he looked and acted like him. Who knows, maybe he was... ;)
Sometimes I think animals know when it's time to say goodbye. Obviously Barney was one of those who knew when to cross over so his family could have peace. Thanks for your story.
Heartwrenching decisions to be sure. If our beloved pets are in pain which cannot be relieved, then I believe euthanasia is a kindness. If only it were that easy for humans...
I believe it does depend and our babies are still young, but I think for now my choice would be letting them stay with us until the very end. I could not imagine when that time comes and It is really hard for me to think about it, thank you for sharing your story and your thoughts. :)
Over 20 years ago, I took my faithful German Shepherd Fuzz for his last car ride.
It was to the vet, to be put to sleep.
It's probably the hardest thing I have done in my life, and I have tears welling up in my eyes as I write this with the memory of this strong, faithful dog going to sleep for the last time and collapsing limp in my arms as I held him.
Fuzz was 14 years old. His back legs didn't work very well any more, and neither did his waste disposal systems.
The toes on his back feet were rubbed raw as he dragged himself around in an effort to remain mobile. We tried making "shoes" for him to prevent this from happening, but he always tore them off.
In the end, I realised that it was not kind to him to try and have him live as long as possible. It was more that we didn't want to lose our beloved companion.
So - having a beloved pet euthanised is a wrenching event.
But your primary consideration must be what is best for the animal - and not what YOU want.
There's no correct answer to this question. The correct course of action depends on the circumstances.
Cheers, Eric G.
P.S. After some less than satisfactory experiences with other breeds of dog, we now have a beautiful German Shepherd named Finn.
I was surprised to read that non-euthanasia is controversial when it comes to pets. How interesting that people so heavily favor "mercy killing" when it comes to our beloved animals but not when it comes to our human loved ones. Hmmm.
Agree it's hard to watch a pet decline and die. Your list of things to consider -- been there, soooo done that (including diapers and subcutaneous fluids for our cat in renal failure). I believe they do know when the end is near and send signals to their owners. It's probably our own discomfort and impatience that makes us want to hasten Nature's process.
I've participated in two euthanasias and both were very cathartic but also very painful. Good hub. MM
Oh - forgot to mention.
I brought Fuzz bak home to our property, and buried him high on a hill - where he can keep an eye on everything.
Thank you to PeggyW, AEvans, MM and Eric for your special comments.
I could very much relate to your story, Eric. I have driven that road as well and it is something you never forget. I think home burial can be very comforting if it's possible for one to do it. Here's to your new dog, Finn!
A very interesting hub that tackles a decision all pet-owners fear.
It would absolutly crush me to send my Ulan off to his death - he's so trusting and we both count on the other to keep each other safe. But if he was in considerable pain, I think I'd have to put aside my own pain and make one last trip to the vet's surgery with him.
:s I feel sick just thinking about it.
What makes it worse is that here it's illegal to bury a large pet (he's a lab retriever cross) in your back garden. I expect I'd like to be able to visit his resting place and talk to him, but he'd have to be incinerated instead.
...Wow, I'm off to read something a little happier. ;)
Thanks VendettaVixen for stopping by and reading my piece. Euthanasia isn't a happy topic by a long shot but unfortunately we pet owners all face the decision sooner or later don't we. When the time comes for Ulan you will know what to do. Hopefully that day is far away.
Splendid article and I agree wholeheartedly with all your points. It IS difficult to come to grips with the decision of whether to lengthen or truncate a family members life. Ultimately, we have to assume responsibility to do what they cannot. We had to put down an old friend just a few weeks ago, but he was definitely starting to feel pain, so the choice was made for us. Others are not so lucky. Thank you for addressing this heartfelt issue so eloquently. this one definitely gets kicked up a point :)TR
Thank you Thomas for your beautiful words. It has touched me.
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Lgali 3 years ago
nice hub