Happy New Year my friends! Both furry and human.
As we look at 2022, we tend to focus on changes that need to be made. Some of you may be struggling with the painful decision to release your pet from pain, sickness, misery. Horrible decision – extremely difficult to decide. My sympathies that age or disease has placed your pet in this position.
For those of you heartbroken with indecision, can we try to develop a checklist of deciding variables? Would it help to just center our minds on logical reasons? Your suffering pet may appreciate this.
Can your pet eat and drink and do their business without assistance, special diets, baby bottles, etc.???
Can your pet sleep at night without restlessness from pain, bladder urgency, anxiety?
Can your pet respond to your voice or see you, enough to be safe?
Can you pet participate with visitors – to whatever extent they used to? Or is company a source of anxiety, pain, or need to hide?
Are you extending your pets life because of your fear of loss?
How many 'yesses' did you compute? Four 'yesses' can indicate that it is not time yet.
Less than 4 and a yes to question 5 means it is time.
I have watched 3 cats and 5 dogs cross from earthbound life to the magic of beyond. I cried so hard I thought my eyeballs would falls out. It is one of the most difficult decisions. How we wish animals could pass gently in their sleep when they are ready. But this is most often, not the case. We love them and we want the best for them. It is our last act of love for our pets, and make sure you are there for it. Be there for them as they have always been there for you.
Blessings on you in 2022. May you do the most loving thing for your pet. Please let me know what you decided and how it went. All of us offer you comfort.
Dr. Pepper