In its proper form, euthanasia is a loving act that ends a physical life filled with pain and suffering. In right use it is a blessing and a gift. This presentation is for those who find themselves in the position of having to make such a decision for a beloved friend and companion.
Recently, there was a young woman, who we will call "Pam," that had to make that decision for her suffering companion. She was on a business trip just before her upcoming marriage and had boarded her dog at a veterinary hospital boarding center. Since the boarding facility was staffed by high school aged kids with little to no experience in animal care, it was several days before the veterinary staff was notified that "Peach" was not acting right and had fallen down and refused to get
up.
To make a long story short, Pam, was called and informed that Peaches was not doing well. She cut her business trip short and rushed back to tend to Peach that very day. Pam was told that Peach was in severe kidney failure and was dying. There was nothing medically that could be done at that point. Peach refused to eat, drink or stand, so Pam made
the decision to have Peach euthanized.
Pam sat on the floor of the exam room with Peach for about an hour waiting for the doctor to arrive to administer the drugs. All the time crying and wailing saying to all that would listen how she was suppose to be at work and how badly she needed the money. This was such a bad time for this to happen. After all she was getting married in a couple of weeks, how could she deal with this right now? How could her friend of all these years leave her at this time? etc. etc. Pam made it "all about
herself."
As I watched this scene, my heart went out to Peach. Yes, I understood that Pam was upset but this was Peach's time. This was a time of quiet reverence for the dog and the life she had led. This was a difficult choice for Peach. She was well aware of Pam's sadness but she chose not to make the transition to married life with Pam. It was not in her "script." I do believe she wanted to pass while Pam was away on business but circumstances prevented this from happening. Many times animals will wait until their owners are away to pass on because it is hard for them to leave even though it is their time, especially when they know their owners will beg them to stay.
Animals know that death is just a change in form where the physical body is shed and the spirit continues. Many humans see it as an end. They think they will never see their loved one again. This is such a shame because animals that have passed on are always around. When they are thought of their spirit is right next to us. They see the pain and grief and sometimes don't quite understand what all the fuss is about. They understand it as a natural process. They can see us but we are so caught up in grief and or our everyday things that we can't see them.
When I give a Death and Dying Presentation I hear comments from people afterwards like, "I though I put all of Max's toys away after he died, but the other day I found his red ball in the kitchen," or "Sometimes I hear a bark but always thought it was my imagination." These are the subtle hints they give to let us know that they are with us. We just have to stop with the "Oh, it's just my imagination" thing.
If one ever finds that they have to euthanize an animal and make the decision to be with them at that time, please let their passing be peaceful. You are giving the gift of painless release. Think. No one wants a gift when the giver is crying and screaming about it. Save your hysteria for a time when your animal companion is out of earshot either before the procedure or after. This is their time, at that moment It Is All About Them. They know you are sad; you don't have to show them in such a grand way just how much. They know you did the best you could, they know you love them. Just because you forgot the morning treat that day or the day before, they know. They look at the big picture, the years of devotion, the walks in the woods, sleeping beside you, the whipped cream they licked off the tip of your finger and all the things you shared in happier times. Please get over yourselves. Gather the strength and courage to release them with dignity and peace.
