02/18/2023
This applies to all our beloved animals.
Definitely one of the hardest decisions we have to make as a pet owner. It’s never easy and causes our hearts to break.
When the time comes to make that decision we must try to remember to put our pet ahead of your own selfishness to keep them going for our own sake.
Speaking from personal experience we really know in our mind it’s time but convincing our heart is harder.
During that time I try very hard to remember what I was told by a holistic vet. “Better a day, week or month to soon than a day to late. All pets deserve to go on a good day versus a bad or horrible day.”
This morning, I started the day by putting a wonderful old horse to sleep. He had been battling a couple of health problems over the past few weeks, and today was his time. The sun shone, his brave owner was by his head, and he quietly crumpled to the ground before I had even finished injecting.
These ones are the “easy” euthanasias, if you can ever call them that. I feel privileged to be able to end a horse’s pain or suffering, immediately. I feel privileged to have such brave, selfless clients, who, despite their absolute heartbreak, make the right decision and stay strong for their horse.
This old boy was treated like a King, and wanted for nothing. He went to sleep this morning, in the home he knew, surrounded by his people.
People often say that the only reason they didn’t become a vet, is because they couldn’t put an animal to sleep. But often, we are privileged to be able to help an animal in this way. This old man was beyond ready today, and I could feel his relief.