Pet Loss
The hardest part of being a pet parent is saying good-bye. We all know it will happen some day, and we hope you can find some resources here to help make saying the last good-bye the best it can be.
The End of Chronic Disease
Most of small animal internal medicine diseases are chronic conditions, some lasting a few months, others years. If you and your pet have fought a chronic disease, it can be especially difficult to know when it is okay to say "this is the end". You may have brought your pet back from death several times. You beat it together. You fought daily to keep your baby as healthy as possible, for as long as possible.
Unfortunately, we can only hold back the inevitable for so long before we just can't win anymore. I know. I have been in your shoes. I waged war against Evans Syndrome with Luna, and Chronic Kidney Disease with Bobby. The swirl of emotions running through your mind can be overwhelming as you prepare yourself for yet another battle.
But, this is one you can't win. This is the last one.
The grief will hit me full force in the stomach and knock the wind out of me. I felt like a failure. I felt like I let my babies down for not being able to fix them again. Whatever emotions you have, know they are okay, it is a natural part of grieving.
I was fortunate, I had the conversation with my husband and our loved ones about knowing when enough is enough. I hope you can have that conversation long before you need it. Either way, everyone's answer is different, but the feeling is the same.
Luna and Bobby both shredded my heart when we knew it was time. Fortunately, we are able to give one final gift to our beloved family member, our kids. We can choose to end their suffering, this is a special thing to be able to do for them. It hurts. It's awful. But, it doesn't have to be the end of your world.
Part of letting go will include figuring out what your new normal is once they are gone. I remember feeling guilty because of the sense of relief I felt when I no longer had to give medications multiple times in a day, and frequent veterinary visits. It wasn't that I loved them any less, but I was relieved to not have to provide so much nursing care day in and day out. I hated myself for even thinking that. Then I realized, it was okay. The nursing care wasn't what I loved about Luna and Bobby. I loved them. I missed them. Those pieces of my heart would never be the same after they were gone, but my heart would keep beating.
I will share some resources below to help in your journey through grief. We all experience it. We may travel a little differently along the path, but we must travel it in order to live life and honor their memories.
Please reach out to friends, family, or a professional and get help through this difficult time. Be kind to yourself, it is completely normal to experience deep and profound grief for the loss of your pet.
Keep the wonderful memories of your pet close in your heart. You are not alone.
With Love,
Yvonne
Unfortunately, we can only hold back the inevitable for so long before we just can't win anymore. I know. I have been in your shoes. I waged war against Evans Syndrome with Luna, and Chronic Kidney Disease with Bobby. The swirl of emotions running through your mind can be overwhelming as you prepare yourself for yet another battle.
But, this is one you can't win. This is the last one.
The grief will hit me full force in the stomach and knock the wind out of me. I felt like a failure. I felt like I let my babies down for not being able to fix them again. Whatever emotions you have, know they are okay, it is a natural part of grieving.
I was fortunate, I had the conversation with my husband and our loved ones about knowing when enough is enough. I hope you can have that conversation long before you need it. Either way, everyone's answer is different, but the feeling is the same.
Luna and Bobby both shredded my heart when we knew it was time. Fortunately, we are able to give one final gift to our beloved family member, our kids. We can choose to end their suffering, this is a special thing to be able to do for them. It hurts. It's awful. But, it doesn't have to be the end of your world.
Part of letting go will include figuring out what your new normal is once they are gone. I remember feeling guilty because of the sense of relief I felt when I no longer had to give medications multiple times in a day, and frequent veterinary visits. It wasn't that I loved them any less, but I was relieved to not have to provide so much nursing care day in and day out. I hated myself for even thinking that. Then I realized, it was okay. The nursing care wasn't what I loved about Luna and Bobby. I loved them. I missed them. Those pieces of my heart would never be the same after they were gone, but my heart would keep beating.
I will share some resources below to help in your journey through grief. We all experience it. We may travel a little differently along the path, but we must travel it in order to live life and honor their memories.
Please reach out to friends, family, or a professional and get help through this difficult time. Be kind to yourself, it is completely normal to experience deep and profound grief for the loss of your pet.
Keep the wonderful memories of your pet close in your heart. You are not alone.
With Love,
Yvonne
Resources:
- AVMA on Euthanasia has information and resources to help: https://www.avma.org/public/PetCare/Pages/Euthanasia.aspx
- The Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement website has chatrooms for pet owners preparing for euthanasia and for those how have already lost their pets. Visit them at https://aplb.org/
- The ASPCA has a grief line as well, see their page at: https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/end-life-care
- PetLoss.net has a list of support groups by state and more resources for pet parents: http://pet-loss.net/
- PetLoss.com has an extensive network for pet parents. http://www.petloss.com
Suggested Reads:
There is a variety of literature and books on pet loss and grieving available from book retailers.