30/09/2024
Euthanasia reimagined – A New Perspective
I decided to write a blog today about a concerning trend I am seeing among the general population of pet owners. First, I started Peaceful Pathways for Pets in 2002 with the idea of helping not only our pets, but also their owners, who often want privacy during a very difficult and emotional time. The idea was to help pets avoid prolonged suffering and to, provide an alternative option for a peaceful transition across the rainbow bridge at home. It was a very new and novel idea at that time. We provide an alternative to prolonged treatments for owners who cannot or who choose not to prolong treatment for their pets. We believe that it is the owner’s choice to decide when to make that decision for his pet and we are here to support that decision. In 2002, we found owners were very receptive to the idea of planning for their pets’ passing. End of life care is just as important as planning for their daily routine, walk, food, and medical care.
Unfortunately, the trend over the past few years has changed dramatically from planning, to waiting until the last minute to make emergency arrangements for end-of-life care. It saddens me to see this trend. It saddens me to see this because it appears that pets are suffering more because we, as owners, cannot see or choose not see the pain and/or suffering they are enduring. I think honestly that most people truly love their pets, and that we all want every precious moment with them that we can get. We just need to make sure that them being here for us isn’t at the expense of their comfort. Sadly, and sometimes painfully, we have to plan for the arrangements at the end of our pets’ lives to make sure that we can send them on peacefully and pain free. Sometimes, this means making the difficult decision to let go a little earlier. This way, we can choose to provide relief from suffering, or prevent suffering at all. The choice is yours to make. When medicines and interventions have not worked and the pet continues to struggle (and that comes in different forms), it’s time to make the final loving decision. The end doesn’t have to be bad. It doesn’t have to be painful or prolonged. With planning, it is a beautiful love gift to allow your pet to avoid pain and/or suffering.
As a pet owner, you have to make that decision for your pet. In the end, it’s not about us; it’s about doing what’s right for them. It’s about stepping outside of ourselves and looking at your pet’s current life and your pets’ past joys.…… Take a quality of life evaluation for your pet, make a phone call for a consultation with us, or with your local vet, but please don’t wait until they are taking their last breath. Help them by preparing for the end because they are worth it after all they have given to us.
God blessed us with the responsibility of taking care of all the animals, let’s do our job well!
“Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, all over the earth and all creatures that move along the ground.” Genesis 1:26
Passionately, with love Dr Melissa Pearson
