Dispelling Common Myths About Pet Euthanasia

The choice to euthanize an animal who is in extreme pain and discomfort is a compassionate choice when there are no other palliative options. Most people have mixed emotions about pet euthanasia, and with good reason. It’s not a decision to be taken lightly and should only be considered as a last resort. That said, there are some common myths associated with pet euthanasia that need to be dispelled:Myth #1: Euthanasia is SelfishSome people fear that deciding to euthanize is a selfish decision that demonstrates a lack of willingness to care for an ailing pet. They feel as though it’s the easy way out and that going to great lengths to care for an ailing pet is the selfless choice. Though euthanasia should only be considered as a last resort, when the time is right it’s the most selfless choice a person can make for their pet. Prolonging the agony of a suffering pet to postpone one’s own suffering is a far more selfish choice.Myth #2: My Pet Will Tell Me When It’s TimeIt’s a common myth that pets will provide some sort of sign that they are ready to die. While the sentiment is heartwarming, most often this isn’t the case. Waiting for a pet to provide some sort of “signal” that it’s their time to go needlessly prolongs their pain and suffering.Myth #3: Pet Loss is Insignificant Compared to Human LossThe grief a person experiences, whether due to the loss of a pet or a human, isn’t something anyone has the right to judge. In many cases, the loss a pet is more devastating than a human loss. People grieving the death of a pet should be afforded the same respect and comfort as anyone else.Myth #4: It’s Best to Protect Children from What HappenedThe old story about the family dog being taken to the farm to live out the rest of his years is really more about sparing parents the uncomfortable discussion than it is about sparing the child’s pain. If a child is close to an animal, he or she is going to experience pain when it’s not longer there. Not knowing what happened to the animal can only exacerbate this. When parents are honest with children and offer them the opportunity to say goodbye to a beloved pet, it gives the child closure and a healthier association with the topic of death.Myth #5: Pets Don’t Mourn the Loss of Other Pets When animals share close quarters they often form close bonds. Even an animal that wasn’t demonstrably close to a deceased animal can show signs of mourning. When losing a fellow pet, many animals will experience loss of appetite, depression and may search the house to find the missing pet. Remember to provide extra love and attention to surviving pets as they navigate this difficult time.Ending the life of a pet is not a decision anyone should take likely. When confronted with this most unthinkable choice, many people are clouded by these common myths. In the best interest of your pet, it’s important to get the facts straight about pet euthanasia.

Dealing with Guilt After Pet Euthanasia

Guilt is an emotion felt all-too-often by pet lovers who ultimately decide that euthanasia is the right course of action for a suffering pet. It’s an emotional response that occurs when a person feels they’ve violated some sort of moral or ethical code. Pet lovers are often overcome with the feeling that they’ve betrayed a beloved friend with the decision to end his or her life. It can accompany feelings of horror, helplessness and even anger.Choosing to end the life of a suffering pet is a traumatic decision. Even when made with the most compassionate of intentions, it’s quite natural to feel a certain degree of guilt. These feelings are a testament to the degree of love and devotion we felt towards our pet. On some level, it can even be beneficial as it is a normal part of the grieving process. When we continue to beat ourselves up over hypotheticals and “what-ifs”, it becomes problematic.Ultimately, we cannot change the past. We do ourselves and those close to us a disservice by harboring prolonged guilt. It’s important to remind ourselves that everything we did for our pets we did out of love. If feelings of guilt continue to overwhelm you, here are some suggestions to help cope:

• Talk through your feelings with someone you trust. Verbalising your emotions can often often lift a huge emotional weight.
• When you start replaying events in your mind, remind yourself that you did what was best for your beloved pet.
• Think about all the great things you gave your animal. The home you provided, the love you shared, and the care that you gave.
• Consult your veterinarian if you have any lingering doubts about your pet’s condition.
• Seek out a support group, grief counselor or call a pet loss hotline for support.

The capacity for love is tremendous in those who’ve shared a deep connection with an animal. While this ability to love can sometimes contribute to the sense of guilt we can feel when we aren’t able to make everything better, it should be treated as a gift. Harboring guilt inhibits one’s ability to spread that love to others. That’s the last thing your beloved friend would have wanted.

Pet Loss: Helping Your Child Say Goodbye

As a parent, your instinct is to shield your children from sadness for as long as possible.The loss of a household pet is often the first opportunity many children have to learn about death. When handled honestly and with compassion, you can help your child develop the skill necessary to grieve and cope with this inevitable part of life.Providing your child the chance to say goodbye to their best friend is a first step towards enabling them to cope with their grief. It may be heart-breaking to witness this painful farewell, but the act itself can facilitate the healing process and help your child develop a healthy understanding of life and death.While providing children the chance to say goodbye is encouraged, it should never be forced. If a child isn’t ready, it may be more appropriate to honor the loss in an indirect way. Preparing a memorial ceremony with flowers, candles and some of your pet’s personal effects can be a great way to help your child explore his or her feelings. This also applies in situations, such as an accident, where a formal goodbye isn’t possible. Children should be encouraged to share their feelings about the special relationship they had with their pet and should be asked what they will miss most about them.Ultimately, how you choose to address the loss of a pet with your kids is a personal choice. Allowing children to say goodbye in a loving, peaceful environment is often the most positive way for them to mourn. At Gentle Journey, our goal is to help your entire family through this difficult time by giving you the chance to say a peaceful goodbye in the privacy and comfort of your own home. To learn more, please give us a call at or visit us online to learn more.