Euthanasia: The Difficult Choice
For a pet parent, no decision is more difficult than authorizing euthanasia. Yet, too often, this is the right choice for your pet. Your veterinarian is the best judge of your pet’s physical condition; however, you are the best judge of the quality of your pet’s daily life.
Death of a Pet
Losing a pet is never easy, and it’s only natural that we grieve over our lost companion. Our feelings toward pets are so extraordinary that experts have termed the relationship: the human/companion animal bond.
When this bond is severed, the sense of loss can be overwhelming. Society does not offer a grieving pet owner a great deal of sympathy. Psychologists now acknowledge that we need as much support, but receive far less, with the loss of a companion animal. Veterinarians realize that their final obligation to their pet patients also involves dealing with the pet owners’ grief.
This does not mean that veterinarians are trained as psychologists and psychiatrists. However, it does mean that the veterinary doctor, who knows you and your pet, also understands your natural feeling of loss-and is able to offer support.
“Like all vets I hated doing this, painless though it was, but to me there has always been a comfort in the knowledge that the last thing these helpless animals knew was the sound of a friendly voice and the touch of a gentle hand.”
– Boston Sunday Globe
Grief Counseling & Support Groups
Coping with intense grief from the loss of your pet is normal and natural. Grief is experienced differently from one individual to another. After all, you’re saying goodbye to a member of the family. As pet owners ourselves, we understand how difficult these times can be. Support groups offer the emotional assistance that is often necessary after the loss of a pet. Bubbling Well is committed to making this challenging time a little easier for you and your family.
Listed below are websites that can assist families and individuals to help cope their loss: