Saying goodbye to a pet is never easy, especially when they’ve been in your life as a member of your family. One of the biggest responsibilities for pet owners is deciding when is the right time to say goodbye. This is a heavy burden of literally holding your pet’s life in your hands, and should not be taken lightly.
In an article from Today, Arin Greenwood shares her story of her beloved family dog Barky and what she learned in her journey of saying her final goodbye.
When she was 14 years old, Arin’s dog Barky was diagnosed with congestive heart failure, leading to symptoms of coughing, swelling, and exhaustion. For most dogs, this means that their heart just isn’t able to move enough blood throughout the body and makes fluid flow into their lungs.
“We didn’t want Barky to experience a terrifying, painful death. We thought it was kinder for the veterinarian to end her life before that happened — peacefully, at home, surrounded by the people who love her,” said Arin in her post about Barky.
One of the hardest parts of being a pet owner is knowing when it’s time for your furry friend to pass on and say goodbye.
After reaching out to multiple vets, Arin learned some interesting facts about what euthanasia actually entails and whether it’s a humane option. Here’s some things to keep in mind as your pets become older.
Typically, euthanasia involves two shots. The first shot is usually a sedative that puts the dog slowly into a deep sleep. As the sedative becomes more potent in the dog’s system, they will drift into a deeper and deeper sleep, where they eventually lose their awareness.
When the family is ready to say goodbye, the vet will administer the second shot, which can end the dog’s life in just a few moments. Of course, the dog will be asleep and completely unaware. This process is meant to be completely painless and the most humane way to euthanize any animal.
The only pain your dog should feel is the slight pinch from the needle of the first shot.
However, the hardest part of this whole journey is knowing when is the right time to let your dog go.
This process is not easy and depends on various factors, such as the dog’s quality of life, how treatable their disease is, and whether they have a chance at recovery. For example, Barky’s congestive heart failure is a fatal disease that usually is untreatable, especially in older dogs. With diseases such as this, euthanasia is a safe way to make sure that your dog can pass peacefully without suffering any painful symptoms.
Always remember that there is never a “perfect time”, and making this decision will be hard either way. Please be sure to consult with your vet and get a professional opinion about the health of your pets.
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source: Today
