Coping with the Fear and Doubt of Euthanasia

If you are lucky enough to have a special bond with a dog or cat, you’ve probably pondered the fact that their time on Earth will likely be up long before your own. We invite animals into our lives for companionship and to fill our homes with joy and unconditional love. As years pass, we watch them grow, often from puppies or kittens into mature adults. Inevitably, they reach their golden years and, like all living beings, their bodies begin to fail. As we watch their quality of life deteriorate, euthanasia can become a viable option, but it’s an option often filled with fear and doubt.FearThere are many different kinds of a fear a person considering euthanasia for a sick and aging pet can experience. There is the fear of not having a best friend and companion by your side to share this life with. There is the fear that the passing of that special pet will serve as a painful reminder of your own mortality. Worst of all, there is the fear that the choice you are making, whether to euthanize or not, is the wrong choice.Unfortunately there is no panacea that addresses all of the fears associated with euthanasia. What is important is that you put the welfare of your beloved pet above any personal fears. Consider how much chronic pain and discomfort they are living with daily. Consult a veterinarian to determine their quality-of-life and to discuss strategies to improve it. Ultimately, setting your pet’s welfare as the focus will lead you to a decision based in love and compassion that should quell some of these fears.DoubtAlong with fear, the decision to euthanize can be filled with doubt. You doubt yourself leading up to the decision or you may feel pangs of regret having made to choice to end the life of a beloved animal. These feelings may be impossible to avoid, but understanding all the facts and knowing your options can help lead you to a decision you can best live with.At Gentle Journey of Scottsdale, we specialize in helping devoted pet parents navigate these difficult choices. In some cases, palliative pet services can improve quality of life. In others, euthanasia is the best option. In either case, we can help you with all the information you need to make this difficult choice. Give us a call at 602-332-7757 or visit us online to learn more about our services.

What to Do Before Euthanizing a Pet

Deciding to euthanize a pet is a heartbreaking choice. In the worst cases, a pet may be involved in an accident or experience a medical condition which causes a great deal of pain, necessitating a quick decision to euthanize. In the case of aging pets or those with debilitating conditions, you have a bit more time to prepare. While nothing associated with this painful choice could be considered a blessing, having time to prepare can make the process more peaceful. Here are some things to consider before the day comes:Create MementosConsider how you want to remember your pet before he or she exits this world. The moments leading up the the procedure will be your last opportunity to take pictures, videos or record that special bark or meow. Some pet lovers like to take an ink stamp of a beloved pet’s paw or make a clay imprint. Think about what would be special and meaningful to you so you have something to remember your friend by.Prepare Your Kids:If you have children, it’s important to explain to them what is going to happen and what that means. For many kids, the loss of a pet is the first encounter they will ever have with death. Handling the situation with grace and delicacy is important to ensure your kids learn the skills necessary to deal with this inevitable fact of life.Prepare YourselfWhile you may be busy taking care of other people, make sure you take care of yourself. If you’ve created a special-bond with a beloved pet, you’re likely to experience immense grief after their passing. Prepare yourself for what comes after the procedure is over. That may involve taking a day off work or making plans to go somewhere or do something that will help you deal with your own grief.Plan GoodbyesInvite friends, family and loved ones to come say their goodbyes. This can be planned for before the procedure or you can have them there with you if you opt for in-home euthanasia. This will allow others who loved your pet a chance to say goodbye and will give your pet added love and attention.Euthanizing a pet will never be an easy decision, but if you’re fortunate enough to have time to prepare you can say your goodbyes on your own terms. If you decide an in-home procedure is right for you, Gentle Journey can help you prepare. Please give us a call 602-332-7757 at or visit us online for more information.

What are the Benefits of in-Home Euthanasia for Dogs?

If you’re reading this article, odds are you’ve already decided that dog euthanasia is the most humane choice for your sick or injured friend. Saying goodbye to a pet is the most heartbreaking experience you’ll endure with your beloved animal. You’ve built a close bond with your furry friend and now you are simply looking to make the experience as peaceful as possible.In the past, the only option available was to bring a suffering animal to a veterinarian’s office to have the procedure administered. In recent years, in-home euthanasia services have become more common as many owners prefer to have their pet’s final moments take place in the comfort of their home. Here are some of the benefits of in-home euthanasia:

• Saves Your Dog the Anxiety of Going to the Vet
• Allows You to Grieve in Private
• Provides a More Intimate Setting to Say Goodbye
• Prevents the Need to Drive when Grief-Stricken
• Offers the Opportunity to Include More Loved Ones
• Can Give Closure to Other Pets

Making end-of-life decisions for your dog is an agonizing process. Having the strength to make the compassionate choice to end a pet’s suffering is much easier when you have all of the information. At Gentle Journey of Phoenix, we specialize in end of life pet services and can help counsel you through the process. Visit our website or give us call at 602-332-7757 to learn more.

Assessing Your Pet’s Quality of Life

As devoted pet guardians, we develop strong bonds with our animals and can become quite adept at noticing even the slightest changes in their behavior. Though the aging process can certainly take its toll, a marked decrease in the energy level of your cat or dog doesn’t necessarily mean they don’t still have enjoyable years left. At the same time, animals experiencing great pain won’t always make a demonstrable show of their condition.It can be difficult to assess quality of life in sick, injured and aging animals. It’s important to know what to look for, especially if you’re considering euthanasia. Have a veterinary professional assess their overall health and well-being. After that, the determination is largely based on your own intuition and personal understanding of your beloved pet. Closely monitoring these key behaviors can aid your assessment:Eating and Drinking:If your pet is avoiding his/food and water dish, it could be a sign that quality of life is suffering. Monitor their consumption habits closely, as malnutrition can develop quickly when an animal no longer feels compelled to eat.Mobility: Mobility is degenerative in all living things and is to be expected as an animal ages. However, if a lack of mobility is prohibiting your pet from performing basic life activities (e.g. relieving themselves), it could be a strong indicator of low quality of life.Demeanor: Is your pet excited to see you? Do they interact with the world around them? Animals that are in pain will often show a lack of interest in things that once caused happiness.Good vs. Bad Days:Vomiting, nausea, diarrhea and general frustration are all signs of a bad day. When these start to outnumber the good, it could indicate poor quality of life.Accurately assessing your pet’s quality of life is key in deciding how to care for an ailing pet. If you ultimately decide that ending your pet’s suffering is the most compassionate choice, in-home euthanasia is a very humane option. For a free consultation, give Gentle Journey a call at 602-332-7757 and we’ll walk you through the processs. If you’d like to learn more, please visit us online: