The decision to euthanize

The decision to euthanize a beloved family pet remains one of the most difficult decisions a person can make. Many hope that they will be spared this decision by the pet just dying on their own (in their sleep). While this does happen occasionally much more often the natural death of a pet becomes a prolonged and painful process for all involved.

When to make the decision - is it time? - there is no simple answer, but one fact remains constant, that for many the decision comes too late. Instead of a peaceful passage at home, the event becomes a painful memory of an animal in distress being rushed to the emergency clinic. This is followes closely by the regret that you have waited too long and your friend has suffered needlessly because of it.

The basis for this delay, I believe, comes from the fact that as an animal companion's life declines, we tend to focus all of our energy on enabling a longer life for our friend. To then accept the unacceptable, that we have failed and that the end is near, is a difficult thing to do. While we are grappling with this fact and trying to make the right decision, the decline of our friend accelerates. The delay caused by our struggle with 'Is this the day?' - 'Maybe tomorrow will bring an improvement...' - may allow our friend to slip into very real distress - the very last thing we wish for them.