Your beloved Border Collie, Dexter, has cancer. The tumour has grown and is pushing on his lungs. His laboured breathing, lack of appetite and the light in his eye that you know so well, are just not there. Your Veterinarian has suggested euthanasia.
You recently adopted a beautiful little kitten and named her Sophie. She and your 5-year old daughter, Vanessa, have become inseparable since you picked her out together at the shelter, just after your divorce was finalized 6 months earlier. Sophie has been diagnosed with an illness that is untreatable.
As a police officer with the Canine Unit, you have trained Duke from the time that he arrived at the station. He has been a dedicated “professional’, committed to getting the job done, but more than that, you two have strongly bonded. Yesterday, he was shot In the line of duty, and died instantly.
It’s a beautiful Saturday morning and you and your husband have decided to take your 3-year-old Golden Retriever to a new coffee shop across town for breakfast. You tie Sadie up outside, as you have done countless times before, and go in to place your order. When you return a few minutes later, she is gone. She has been missing for 5 days.
Summer’s Rose (Rosie Girl to you), a Grand Prix champion you’ve had since she was a filly, has been in a tragic trailering accident after the last show of the season. Your Veterinarian has arrived at the accident scene and has called to let you know that the kindest and only decision possible 1s euthanasia and asks for your consent. You are 20 minutes away and can’t make it in time to say good-bye.
These are everyday occurrences with our animal companions that can leave us reeling in shock, disbelief, denial, anger, isolation, and even severe depression. Guilt often adds another layer of pain to the trauma.
Help is available to assist you through these tragedies and accompanying stages of grief for pet loss.
Whether it is assistance with the decision to euthanize (together with your Veterinarian), a pre-euthanasia appointment to prepare you for what will happen when the time comes, attendance at the euthanasia, attendance at the euthanasia, bereavement assistance at a one-on-one appointment, or a Pet Loss Support Group post-euthanasia, Pet Bereavement Services can help you.