AS PET PARENTS, we don’t want our fur babies to suffer at the end of their lives. We also don’t want to cut any precious moments short. There is no more agonizing pain than having to put a baby to sleep because often, to end their suffering we must face ours. It’s the choice to ease the suffering of a dear friend, offering them this final act of love. For us, it’s knowing we did everything we could for them until the very end.
So how do I reconcile my head and my heart? Head and heart are often not aligned at the end of a pet’s life. Emotions can be running very strongly and clouding any real rational thought around the decision. I coach families through end-of-life decisions and try to bring an objective lens to the situation. Grounding yourself in facts around your pet’s health may support you through the ultimate decision to help them cross the rainbow bridge.
The Quality of Life Guide on the website is the first place I send pet parents. Working through this assessment gives an objective number to the pets QOL. I have found that having each member of the household do their own assessment can lead to constructive conversation around the pet’s health. If you live alone, you may consider anyone that knows your pet and can help with a QOL assessment. The number obtained in the QOL guide is not a hard fast determinant, but a snapshot in time and a way to help assess things moving forward. The QOL assessment includes considering pain, hunger, hydration, hygiene, happiness, mobility, and more good days than bad.
If you or someone you know is having a tough time deciding when it’s time, my team and I are here to help. We provide both general consults virtually, and comprehensive end of life care visits within your home. Each visit is tailored to be as unique as the bond between you and your pet.
We understand the pain and heartbreak this decision brings.
Thank you for taking time today to begin exploring this emotional topic.