By Dr. Bethany Hsia, Co-founder of CodaPet
Saying goodbye to a dog is one of the most difficult things a pet owner can do. It may be even more difficult when the decision to euthanize a beloved dog has been made. Euthanasia is a process that is used to humanely end the life of an animal that is suffering from a terminal illness or injury. It is a compassionate way to end the pain and suffering of your beloved pet and end the dying process. In this blog post, we will discuss how to say goodbye to your dog before euthanasia and how at home pet euthanasia can be a compassionate option.
Firstly, it is important to understand that there is no right or wrong way to say goodbye to your dog before euthanasia. Every pet owner has their own way of coping with the loss of their furry friend. However, there are some things you can do that may make the process easier for both you and your dog.
Quality Time
The first thing to do is spend quality time with your dog. Some families like to create a bucket list of fun activities for their dog’s final weeks or days.These can be simple joys such as “bark at the delivery driver,” or little excursions like getting a ‘pupachino’ from a local coffee shop, or more intentional plans like having professional photos taken by a pet photographer. However you choose to spend quality time with your dog, don’t overlook the power of simply sitting together and giving them lots of love and attention.This will not only help you as you grieve but also helps them feel loved and comforted as dogs live every moment in the present..
Be Well Informed
It is also important to talk to your veterinarian about what will happen during the dying or euthanasia process. Ask them any questions you may have about a natural death based on the illness your dog has or about the euthanasia procedure, such as how long it will take and what will happen afterwards. Having a clear understanding of what options you have and what the process looks like can help ease any anxiety or fear.
Create Mementos
Take time to consider what keepsakes may bring you comfort after your dog has passed. You can create special mementos before the pet passes such as paw print, clipping a lock of fur, or creating personalized items from photos. There are also keepsakes that can be created after the pet has passed such as ink nose prints, jewelry or art made with cremated ashes, or even woven keepsakes made from their fur. These mementoscan help keep your dog’s memory alive and ensure that they stay close to you in some way.
A New Way To Say Goodbye
One option that many pet owners are now choosing is at home pet euthanasia. This is a compassionate way to honor your pet and allows them to pass away peacefully in the comfort of their own home, surrounded by loved ones. At home pet euthanasia allows a space for families to tailor the final goodbye to their own preferences. The pet can lay in a favorite location, with music or candles, and other house-hold pets or children are able to be present. At home pet euthanasia is becoming increasingly popular because it provides a more relaxed and familiar environment for your pet, which can help reduce stress and anxiety.
During an at home pet euthanasia, a veterinarian comes to your home and administers the medication needed to end the dying process.. Euthanasia is painless and peaceful, and your pet will drift off to sleep surrounded by their family. After the procedure, you can choose to bury your pet at home, as local regulations allow, or have them cremated.
At home pet euthanasia also provides the opportunity for family members, including other pets, to say goodbye in a comfortable setting. It allows everyone to grieve together and provides closure for all involved.
Saying goodbye to a loved one is never easy. Whether the goodbye has been coming for a while or is suddenly on the horizon, be kind to yourself and know that grief comes in many forms. There is no right or wrong way to walk this road, if you need help there are many resources available for pet loss and grief.