Pet Sitting and Taxi Service

THE DEATH OF A PET

The death of a pet can be just as hard on you as the death of a human family member or friend. When a human you love dies, you receive support, cards, understanding and comfort. Unfortunately, the same does not hold true when your animal family member dies.  It is common for family and friends to say, “it is just an animal”.

Of course, nothing could be further from the truth. Caregivers pamper their pets with gifts, birthday celebrations, confide in their animals, carry pictures in their wallet and tell everyone they meet about their furry children.  Animals provide companionship, emotional support, unconditional love and friendship. So when your pet dies, it is not unusual for you to feel an intense, overwhelming sense of loss and sorrow. It is OK to grieve.

THE GRIEVING PROCESS

Grieving is a normal response to the death of a family pet.  The process of grieving for a pet is no different than grieving the death of a human.

There are five stages of mourning. Just remember, there is no right or wrong way to mourn. The five Stages do not necessarily occur in order.

Stage 1: Denial & Isolation

Upon learning of a terminal illness or death of a beloved pet, we deny the reality of the situation. Denial offers protection until we can realize our loss.  Isolating ourselves also gives us time to face reality, plus we don’t have to speak to others about our loss.

Stage 2: Anger

When we emerge from denial and isolation, reality and its pain re-emerge, only we are not ready.  We may direct our anger at friends, family, strangers, inanimate objects and even our dieng or deceased pet.  Rationally, we know the animal, friends, strangers, etc., are not to blame.  Emotionally, we may resent the pet for leaving us.  We are angry with friends and family for not understanding..  Another convenient target is the Veterinarian who diagnosed the illness or performed the euthanasia. Again, remember, this is a normal part of grieving.

Stage 3: Bargaining

Regaining control is the normal reaction to feelings of helplessness and vulnerability. You may think, “if only we had sought medical treatment sooner”, “I should have gotten a second opinion”, “I should have taken better care of him/her”, etc.  We will even make a deal with God or our higher power in an attempt to heal or postpone the inevitable. Again, this is normal.

Stage 4: Depression

Depression comes in two forms. First is to react in a practical manner relating to loss. We feel overwhelmed by sadness and regret.  We worry about the cost of health care and burial expenses.  We wonder if we are neglecting others (pets and humans) that depend on us. The second is more private.  We (with much guilt) try to prepare to separate and say farewell to our beloved pet.

Stage 5: Acceptance

This stage of mourning is something not everyone is afforded.  If death comes suddenly or unexpected, we may not see beyond denial and anger. This phase comes with withdrawal and calm.

Do Animals Prepare To Die?

There are two schools of thinking about whether a terminally ill or aging animal prepares to die and withdraws, and do they know that they are dieing. Simply yes and no. I believe that an animal knows when it is dying and I believe that they prepare for death. I also believe each animal is different in their preparation. I have had animals who wanted to be close to me while they were ill and dying, and I have had animals who withdrew and wanted to be by theirself.  Terminally ill animals show us all how to die with grace and dignity.

Euthanasia

Euthanasia is the induction of a painless death. It is accomplished by an intravenous injection of a concentrated dose of anesthetic.  It only take a few seconds for a total loss of consciousness followed by a quiet, peaceful death.
Making the decision to euthanize is a very difficult, heart wrenching decision.  Your veterinarian can help you come to that decision. Euthanasia is the ultimate, merciful gift that you can give to a terminally ill or injured pet who is suffering.

Death is a part of life. Enjoy your pet and allow them to enjoy you.

Pets and Grief
Do animals grieve? Yes! Surviving pets may refuse to eat or drink, whimper and lay around as if they have no energy (symptoms of being ill). Give surviving pets plenty of Tender Loving Care.  Keep them on a regular schedule and keep an eye on them.

Here is a story about one of my cats reaction to the death of another cat of mine.

Snow was 12 when she was diagnosed with cancer.  One of her kidneys had dried up and a tumor formed and aggressively grew. At the same time, she was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. We knew that we were facing death.  Snow stayed at home with 7 other cats until she let us know that it was time for her to die. Of course we wish that Snow had passed away in her sleep but unfortunately, we had to have her euthanized.  We took her to the vet. We brought Snow home to bury her.  While my husband prepared the grave, I sat with Snow in my arms on the dining room floor and the surviving cats came to say goodbye. After about 30 minutes, I placed Snow in a special blanket and took her to her resting place. I came inside to be with the other cats.  While loving on one of the cats, I heard this ear piercing yowling.  Running to see what was wrong, I found Natasha in a bedroom with her head back yowling. Natasha went to each room of the house and went through the same ritual.  For two weeks, Natasha would not eat (usually eats everything in site), would not play and laid around as if she were ill.  Gradually, Natasha came through her grieving period. Natasha was only a year old and not friends with Snow, but Natasha is a very sensitive Kitty.

Humans and animals grieve in very similar ways and varying lengths of time. Allow yourself and surviving pets time to grieve.

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