• If you have other pets, decide whether they should be present. According to Lehner, it is important to include pets who are bonded and allow them to see their companion after he is deceased. Otherwise, they may continue to look for the other pet and their grief will be prolonged. On the other hand, a new or young pet may seek attention when the focus should be on the pet whose time has come. Keep that pet in a secured area until the other pet is deceased.
• Schedule the final passing when you can take time off from work. If you plan to have the procedure performed at a veterinary hospital, you may want to schedule for the first or last appointment of the day. With at-home euthanasia services now available, you may also consider having the final day at home. Schedule a time within a day or two. Planning a date too far out may have you agonizing through a long countdown.
Think about whether you would like to be present during your pet’s final moments. Talk to your veterinarian about what to expect so you can be prepared when the time comes, and remember that your veterinary team is there to help you through the process.
Avoiding the idea of death until it arrives has made many people wish they would have thought about the whole process sooner. Don’t let that happen to you. Make the best out of an inevitable part of life.
Maureen Blaney Flietner is an award-winning freelance writer as well as a professional photographer and artist. She has been “mom” to several dogs, cats, and horses over the years.
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