The final gift

Euthanasia can be a gift you give your pet, the final gift. I know that may seem like a strange present, but, in many instances, it can be the most humane, selfless thing to do for them.

Often, as pets age, they begin to have issues with mobility, house soiling, dementia, and organ failure, which can make their lives difficult and even painful. They know something is wrong; they’re uncomfortable, they can’t keep up with their human and animal friends like they used to, and they may be confused and upset, both by disorientation or by their humans’ reactions. Pets are exceptionally good at reading our body language. You’ve probably observed that they know when you’re unhappy or not feeling well. In the same way, they can probably sense your sadness over their failing health, their inability to get around like they used to, or when they have accidents in the house.

Imagine if, as you become very old and infirm, you had a faithful friend who could see what was happening to you and loved you so much that they would do anything to ease your suffering, even to the point of helping you to end your life if that was what you really wanted. That idea can be very comforting.

Depending on what your beliefs are for what happens after death, it can be soothing to think that once their physical body is released here on earth, their soul can be free to return to a creator or come back again in another form to experience a new life in a young, and healthy body.

I have often heard pet owners say “I’m just going to let him/her pass away at home because that’s the most natural thing,” but the owners may not realize that they may be unwittingly leaving their pet to spend their last days and nights in pain or senility, which causes them distress. Animals are hardwired not to show weakness as it makes them more vulnerable in the wild, so they are very good at disguising pain. Limping and avoiding activities can be signs of discomfort that are subtle enough that we may not recognize them as such.

Some feel that it is a blessing to help your pet to die while it is still more like itself, still able to enjoy a few last pleasures rather than wait until a crisis happens and then have to make a painful decision in haste.

It takes a good deal of courage to help a loved one to let go and be there to comfort your pet in its last moments, but it likely gives them a good deal of solace to feel your presence. I’ve read many passages that suggest that you try to make their last minutes as joyful and normal as possible. For instance, don’t take their collar off beforehand as, often in life, their collar being removed starts something they may not like, like a bath or brushing. Feed them their absolute favorite thing to eat and bring along blankets and toys that smell like home. If it’s at all possible, some people are able to have the euthanasia done at home, under a familiar tree or in a room that the pet loved to be in.

It’s important to celebrate the life you shared by doing something to remember the pet, like a book or shadowbox about them and the things your pet treasured. Let yourself feel sad afterward, but recognize that you did what you could to make your animal companion feel loved and cared for until it was time for them to go.