may be, simultaneously, one of the most difficult and yet one of the most caring choices that any one of us ever has to make. All of us with pets know that one day, we may face having to make that decision for a beloved companion. We hope the day won't come. We hope that all of our pets will die peacefully asleep in a warm and quiet bed at home where they belong, but that doesn't always happen.
I know for me, on the day I brought home each one of my kids, I made a promise to each of them....I will love you, I will do my utmost to give you what you need to flourish, I will provide you with the care you need through health, illness, injury and old age, and I will be there with you in the end when, and if, the time comes to make that hardest choice....to let you go. Having made the promise and knowing that the end is coming does not make the choice easier. I worried that, in the end, I wouldn't be able to make that choice or that I wouldn't know when the time was right. But I did. And despite the holes left in my heart, I try to take comfort in knowing that I did the right things by Sam and Faith. Their lives were long and happy and I remember them with a smile on my face and tears in my eyes because I miss them still. There will never be another Sammy or little Faith. Despite the difficulty and sadness of saying goodby, I look into the eyes of my remaining pets Rose, Hobie, Phoebe, Dulcie and Kinsie and recommit to providing them with joy, long life, and peace in the end. And yes, I will be there...and yes, if I have to, I will make the decision for euthanasia again. It is the last, and sometimes the kindest thing available to us as pet owners.
I know that I am not alone in my commitment to provide a great life for my pets and also a peaceful end when the time comes. I also know firsthand that this is not easy. If you are having difficulty making a decision about euthanasia or are having trouble after losing a pet, you are not alone. Please use the books and resources listed here as a guide to help you start to heal. Our pets provide us with companionship unlike any other in our lives and losing them can be devastating. If the resources here are not enough to help you, do not hesitate to seek counseling.
