When it’s time to say goodbye

If only we could stop our dogs from getting old.   That they have a much shorter life than us is one of the great heartbreaks in sharing your life with them.   We love our dogs, they are members of our family but then it seems that all too quickly, the playful pup is an arthritic old stager.

Modern veterinary medicine can help dogs to have a good quality of life for a much longer time but there’s nothing to beat good food, exercise, considerate care and a loving home though.    When I was at the vets recently two dogs (with different families) were brought in to be put to sleep.   It was a traumatic experience for the owners and for everyone in the waiting room.   We all had a tear in our eye.   One dog appeared to be very ill, the other was an old stager who could barely totter.   Their time had come.

In all cases it’s better to make the decision early rather than late, nobody wants a dog to suffer.   Our desire to keep our pets with us for as long as possible, should never be the first consideration.   A doctor (and great dog lover) once told me that when thinking about sending your dog on his last journey a day early is always better than a day late.   Your vet is the best judge of this if you don’t know the answer yourself.

We like to arrange it so that our animals stay in their home surroundings till the end.   You can ask your vet for a tranquilizer – a favourite meal with some ‘go-to-sleep’ tablets in will make everything easier.   The timing is everything, you need to book an appointment for your vet to come just after your dog has drifted off.   A soft comfy bed, some favourite music in the background, the scent of herbs – lavender or vanilla are relaxing – and one of your old jumpers (or something else that’s familiar and with your scent on it) can by your dog’s side..

The life of your dog has been filled with significance and the final moments should be as spiritual and full of  love as possible.  You have to be brave though, don’t let your dog see that you are sad or anxious.   When the vet arrives to give the injection to ease him or her out of this existence and into the next, your dog won’t feel a thing.  A deep sigh and he’ll be off to his next life and running across the ‘rainbow bridge’ …. to wait for you?   Who knows?