Not a happy topic, but all us who live with a beloved pet must realize that our pet has a shorter life span than ours. This means we and/or our families will have to deal with the illness and death of our pet or with the sudden departure of our friend due to an accident or acute illness.
How do I know when euthenasia is the kindest choice, How do I prepare our children for the pet's death, How do I want to handle the disposition of my pet's body, And, where can I or my family go for help with our grief.
I once read of a veterinarian who told an owner, "Your dog is going downhill. Do you want to wait until he reaches the bottom?" Vets are often reluctant to tell an owner when it is time to let the pet go. They understand that it is a personal decision, one that we, the owners, have to be ready for. But as loving owners we have a responsibility to our animal friends not to let them suffer unneccessarily.
Be honest with them. Name the ailment or cause of death. They may have already seen that your pet is not the same, is more quiet, walking slower. Explain to them that when a pet is suffering and there is nothing which can be done to relieve that suffering, owners must do the most difficult, but kindest act of their ownership. Don't incite panic, but explain this is a part of the life cycle.
Be prepared for tears - it's natural. You are losing a dearly loved family member. Allow them, and yourself, to grieve. Help your children decide how they will remember their pet, perhaps in photos, or by planting a tree. If you are going to inter the remains, have a ceremony at the cemetery sharing your happiest memories of your pet's life with each other.
Today we have pet cemeteries where caskets and urns can be interred. You can also place a memorial stone at the grave site or keep the urn in a place of honor at home. Standard and biodegradable models are available. Alternatively you can cremate and scatter the ashes over water using eco-friendly urns which will harmlessly dissolve in salt or fresh water, allowing the remains of your pet to gently float back to nature. Another option to remember your pet by is to have part of the ashes placed into a piece of jewelry, usually a pendant. Most are made out of sterling silver and offered in various designs.
While many feel that grief over the death of a pet is unwarranted, we who have loved them know better. There are organizations who offer help getting through this grief. The aspca.org is one of them and armchairadvice.co.uk also offers practical and sympathetic help. You can also ask your vet about organizations which offer support.
