This is my dog, Georgie. I know one day we’ll have to make a gut-wrenching decision about her life, and I cherish every day with her.
Deciding if it’s time to put your dog to sleep is heart wrenching. Here’s what a veterinarian says about making this decision for your dog and your family.
These guidelines are from Marie Haynes, a veterinarian who had to put her own dog to sleep. She shares her story, and offers information about pet euthanasia.
“If you can save your dog or cat even one day of discomfort, you must,” says Dr Haynes.
And that’s the number one criteria for deciding if you should put your dog or cat to sleep: if suffering is involved. If your dog is suffering in any way, then it may be time to decide on pet euthanasia.
Goodbye, Friend: Healing Wisdom for Anyone Who Has Ever Lost a Pet is Gary Kowalski’s second book on coping with dog death, and it may help you heal after making the heart-wrenching decision to say good-bye.
One of the best ways to cope with your dog’s death is believing that their souls and spirits live on – and you’ll be reunited one day. Read Animals and the Afterlife: True Stories of Our Best Friends’ Journey Beyond Death to learn how some pet owners experience their beloved animal companions after they’ve passed.
And, here are some guidelines to help you decide if it’s time to say good-bey to your dog or cat to sleep…
Is It Time to Put Your Dog to Sleep?
It’s often difficult to tell whether a dog is in pain or suffering, says Dr Haynes, but there are some general guidelines:
- Is your dog’s appetite suffering? If so, this is often a sign of pain.
- Does it seem like your dog is enjoying life?
- Does your dog still do the things that bring her joy?
- Are you enjoying having your dog around — or is there more pain than happiness?
- Does your dog seem happy more often than not?
- Or, do you find that your dog looks distressed or uncomfortable most of the time?
Pet owners often want to be told what to do about putting their dog to sleep, but it has to be the pet owner’s decision. The vet only sees a snapshot of the pet’s life, while the pet owner has the big perspective. “I see a scared, sick animal in the hospital,” says Dr Haynes. “I don’t see a pet owner’s beloved dog.”
“You have taken care of your dog or cat all its life,” says Dr Haynes. “This is your final chance to take care of your pet. If you can spare your dog pain and suffering, then putting it to sleep is the ultimate gift – no matter how hard it is for you.”
The bottom line: when it’s time to put a dog to sleep
There will come a day when it is absolutely clear to you that your dog or cat is not enjoying life. That day is one day too late. If you can save your pet even one day of discomfort, you must.
Deciding on euthanasia is difficult, but it could be the most loving thing you do for your dog.
You can be present if you put your dog to sleep. Euthanasia is similar to falling asleep, and you can be with your dog when he or she drifts away. Remember that euthanasia is generally painless, and almost always goes smoothly.
Do you feel guilty about putting your dog to sleep? Read 4 Ways to Cope With Guilt After Pet Loss.
How this veterinarian decided to put her dog to sleep
“My shepherd/cattle dog cross, Eddie, had a multitude of problems and I couldn’t decide if it was time for euthanasia. Then, one day he tore his cruciate ligament. He had already previously torn the ligament on the other knee and although it was healed he had severe arthritis in that knee. With both knees injured, Eddie was unable to walk. My decision to put my dog to sleep was finally made for me.
I went to my office and collected the supplies I needed for euthanasia. Eddie was such a good boy as I shaved his front leg and placed the needle in his vein. I will never forget the look of love and trust he gave me as I made the injection. Then, the life just went out of him and he was gone. Once he had passed away, his buddy Joey (my other dog) came in the room but he did not seem to care about or comprehend what was happening. Then, my two cats came in and I swear they suddenly had a look of glee in their eyes as Eddie was very much a cat tormentor!”
How will you remember your dog? For ideas, read my article about different types of pet memorials.
For help saying good-bye, read Letting Go of an Animal You Love: 75 Ways to Survive Pet Loss. I interviewed veterinarians, grief experts, counselors, and pet owners who survived their dog’s death. Their stories and wisdom can help you cope with the loss of your dog.
If you have any thoughts on putting your dog to sleep, please comment below.
Oh how do you know? My Ocho is a mix breed border collie who is 15. We found him abandoned at the river, a tick infested little pup that our vet told us was four or five weeks old. For the past 5,6,7 months, his quality of life is poor to say the best. He hasn’t been able to play for at least a year. Sleeps probably 90% of the time. Recently he can’t get up without help, and often I find him laying in his own poo. His right leg seems to drag behind him, kinda like a stroke. Yesterday he fell outside and was in the heat for I don’t know how long until I found him. I know it’s time but all I can do is cry and my husband won’t even talk about putting him down. I think just by writing this I have my own answer.
@Yeezus
That is what I keep thinking after 5 months that I put my dog to sleep I had no right. And I still feel sorry for what I did. And I still cry when I think about it. But then I think she had cancer sooner or later she was going to die.She was in a lot of pain at night she used to cry I never heard a dog cry like that.The vet told me from 0 to 10 she is in pain 8. I gave her pain killers and still she cried. If I knew she had any chance of recovering I would have done anything to help her.Maybe your dog doesn’t cry like mine did because for sure you would do anything to take away the pain. And I’m sure that if a person is in a lot of pain and they know that theres no recovery for them thats what they would want to do that someone takes the pain away.
This is the one thing i’m scared of. My GF and I have a pomeranian who’s 7… 8 years left I guess. i don’t know if I can go through with it. If i’m suffering, i don’t want my death in someone else’s hands. i want it on my terms. I know what you’re all thinking, “Dude, it’s a f**king dog! it’s not human, you have to make the decision!” But do i really? Dogs are smart, social creatures. True companions. Do I really have the right? Sure i “own” him, but My dog (Dim Sum, by the way) is his own person. Dude’s like a cat. Independent as all hell. “Won’t play ball with me? F**K you, I’ll bother you til’ you do, or I’ll play with my BLOODCLOT self.” So much personality. So many human traits. So many weird quirks. Truly a friend. How can i reconcile that with Dim Sum’s pending euthanasia looming? I literally think if I could talk to him he’d be like “Are you outside of your cotton pickin’ mind! I WANNA LIVE!” Anyway, compassionate article. I just don’t think we have the right, suffering or not. Convince me.
Dear laurie it still somfort me see someone caring.
I put my beloved dog to sleep 17april, there is some thoughs and exprienses i would like to share with others.
I was attached to him so much, we shared our bed for 14 years, stared my days with him welcoming me and ended sleeping with me. My words cannot describe love and funs i had with him …
It was hardest and most painful days of my life since hes gone, 10 days ago i drove out of town every single day where i buried him … I missed him so much when …
I wish no one face such problem but unfurtunetly its impposible so these are things shouldnt have done:
As laurie said, dont face it alone, which i did and ithat mich pain alot to be carried alone, i called a vet to come home at evening, i lay down all day talikng to him and knowing he will be gone firever, when vet cane asked me to leave to not see rest often time which i denied, i kissed him for last time and watched him dying in my hands … Wanted to be with him to end as he was with from begging … I find a place out of town start digging ground (in my country there nowhere specsilay for this) and saying goodbye for hour and putting his cold body to the ground … Which there are moment i still see like movie …
2nd , no matter how old and sick is he like mine, he stoped eating for a week (tried 3 vets to see if they fix the problem) no movements like not knowing me anymore … The guilt will stay with me forever that im sure … I belived i did best for him … But u will never know…
– something happend i cant understand and keep thinking about that, just about 10 sec to vet arrive when he was still in the street (im in 4th floor) while he was laying down he moved his head and start smelling or looking for someting… After 10 sec vet called my phone tgat he is here … I kissed him and he didnt move even when vet got in … When im thinking about that i feels like he know what was about to happen…
Sry i took so long, i hope my exprience can help someone at least. Last thing, i remember when sometimes i was tried after work getting home or lazy, he begging me to take him out , i had to deny sometimes . That i regret so much
Dear thank you, u have been very helpfull and nice i will keep reading and hoping if i can help someone in future.
Peyman
Dear Jeanette,
Thank you for sharing your video of Lady and Lucky. What a beautiful tribute, memory, and way to say good-bye. It made me cry – and I never knew Lady or Lucky! And, it makes me appreciate my dog Georgie more than ever.
Blessings,
Laurie
Four months passed since I put Lady to sleep and I still think of her and of Lucky. Sometimes I say to myself I had no right to take her life away. I know that I did the right thing for her because she was in a lot of pain but still the thought that I put her to sleep makes me feel bad.
I made a video of my two dogs if anyone would like to see it here is the link
http://youtu.be/rDHsk81VEiM
Hello Peyman, it’s been a week since you commented. You don’t have to say anything if you don’t want — I just wanted you to know that I’m thinking about and praying for you and your dog.
Every night, I say prayers for everyone who sees this article, and especially for those who comment because I know a little about them! It matters. You matter.
Blessings,
Laurie
And yes i wouldnt want to continue if i was in his position,Its unfortunate to say in a society i am that many think ( vets also ) i have to wait and see him suffering and they think its cruel and soon probebly since he eat and show no pain ! Only thing is keeping me from doing that is he still sometimes like to eat but very picky now and the guts probebly to let him go.
I read sometimes they die in home while we are asleep and it takes maybe hours of suffering. Thats only thing that i dont want to happen to mikee that he is and always been my best friend. I know i already made my mind and wont take me long to get ready for that, i just hoping to find someone to do euthanasia in my home , i dont i can control my self and i want to spend last hours alone …
Thank you again laurie, you probebly have know idea how much did u help already. (sry posted last comment was miss click)
Peyman
Dear laurie,
It is so helpful hearing from someone who can understand. difficult decision as you asked, i must say im 30, and trying to make this decision for a month and thinking about that im crying like a baby everyday.
Dear Peyman,
It’s such a difficult decision, isn’t it? And that we have to make it seems so cruel and unfair.
If you could put yourself in Mikee’s shoes (or paws!), what would you want your human to know? How does it feel to be Mikee right now?
A few days ago, I wrote another article on putting your pet to sleep – it was from the veterinarian’s perspective. The most important thing in that article is that our beloved pets tell us when it’s time to say good-bye, and we often don’t hear them because of our own pain. We keep them alive for our own sakes, not for their sakes.
I can’t tell you if it’s time to say good-bye to Mikee, but it sounds like his life is alot different than it was when he was healthy! He is old and sick, and he’s not getting better.
How will you cope with the pain of losing him? Is that what’s stopping you from making the decision to put him to sleep?
Hello everyone,
Iv read a lot on many sites about right time to putting an old dog to sleep and i have been in a deep pain for a long time seeing my dog like this, i think its time to put him to sleep but i was hoping to get some help . Here is my 14 years old Mixed terriers conditions: his name is mikee, he lost his sight 2 years ago completly but he could find me or his way to his food and water, but he start sleeping all day and moving only he need water, food or pee.
But its about a month his find problem hearing and smelling and cant find his way easy anymore( he walks slowly ). Had very bad mouth smell and take him to vet but and dr said need a teeth to removed, but after many tests they desided to not and some test results was kidney problem and kidney stone in one dr said. But didnt see him suffering from urinating. Only thing he do is eating and drinking. I just know they hide they pain and i dont want him to suffer.
Im desperatly looking for help, im sure there are many of u expriense this and the pain i have and its been with me a year.
Ty all for reading this and wait for ur help.
Ty – peyman
Carol Elizabeth,
I completely sympathize with your difficult decision.
We rescued our now-17-year-old setter Scooby from a family we know who could no longer take care of him; they had placed him with a pet adoption agency on a Friday evening, and we found out on the following Sunday and brought him home. That was five years ago. He was in bad shape, so we thought we were providing geriatric care for his final month! But his health drastically improved.
We got a nearly newborn cavalier spaniel Charlie a few months after we got Scooby. They have been best buddies ever since: we believe Scooby thinks we got him a puppy, and Charlie has his own old dog. This may have further contributed to Scooby’s health improvement. He is very clearly “my dog” and still follows me wherever I go in the house, while Charlie has attached himself to my wife.
We often joke within the family about how Scooby is 17, doesn’t have any plans for college, no driver’s license, no job, and no plans to leave home. All he does is eat and sleep and sit in front of the TV all day, and only grunts and gives you “the look” when you speak to him.
For several months Scooby has been exhibiting the same problems you describe. He can still get around on flat non-smooth surfaces, but takes a long, long time to get up when his legs go out from under him on the tile floor; this is a very regular event. He is losing control of his bodily functions (so we’re cleaning up after him several times per day), and has mouth cancer, but still loves to eat. Scooby doesn’t see well now, and frequently runs into walls or furniture when turning around. His hearing is also poor (so, if Charlie jumps up, Scooby follows so he doesn’t miss anything).
Scooby used to climb the stairs each night to sleep in our 10 year-old child’s bedroom near Charlie (pack mentality, no doubt). Now he only comes up sometimes, and struggles due to his hip dysplasia. His breathing is always labored. He also has trouble going down the three back steps into the yard (often falling when he gets to the bottom), and sometimes looks back at me before descending, with that “do I really have to do this” look. More than once I’ve had to assist him up the steps and back into the house because he only gets up two steps, then slides back down again. After multiple attempts, he gives up for a while. He always growls if he is lifted, obviously in pain.
Although Scooby still thoroughly enjoys eating, he struggles to get around, and is now starting to show signs of uncharacteristic confusion. He was banished to his garage bed last night (he generally sleeps in the house), and didn’t even seem to care about it.
Given all of these issues, I don’t expect him to last more than another two months without experiencing even more serious loss of quality of life. Furthermore, our family will be traveling over the summer, and it would be unfair to pass this responsibility and burden to our college-aged dogsitter.
After a great deal of soul searching, I’ve scheduled a final vet’s appointment for him this coming Saturday, the 20th of April, while my wife and child are out of town for the day. This will be easier, and best, for everyone. I’ll miss him for sure.
I’ve hoped every day that I’d find he had expired overnight, but that is selfish. As many articles suggest, we’ve already intervened by making decisions to extend the lives of our pets, and it is our responsibility to humanely make this decision also. Is this too soon? Is it too late? How will I know? The best decision we can make is the one we won’t regret tomorrow, or next week, or next month.
The deciding final factor for me was a statement in this article: “There will come a day when it is absolutely clear to you that your dog or cat is not enjoying life. That day is one day too late. If you can save your pet even one day of discomfort, you must.”
Our pets deserves to go to rest peacefully, without being in excessive pain, fear, and confusion, with at least some dignity and mental faculties, as long as we’re given the responsibility to decide.
To Rick Weggman
Rick thank you so much for your kind words and for thinking of me and holding me in your prayers – meant so much to read your words – thank you so much and God bless you too.
I still feel unsure of my decision, always will, but appreciate that it would only have been a matter of time and the truth is there will never be a time we are happy to say goodbye to these joyous souls that share our lives. I miss Taz inconsoleably and I PRAY that I will see him again some day, can only hope so on that one.
I give thanks for the 15 years of pure joy he brought me, I have put some of my (many) favourite photos on canvas and put them up around the house – mainly to remind me to think of the wonderful fit and active days we had.
For any of you going through this heart wrenching decision at the moment, know that you are not alone and we all feel for you. I, personally, can only suggest you talk to your vet, talk to your family and loved ones who know the full picture, and truely consider how happy content your beloved pet is – follow your heart and take a real balanced view.
Julie xxx
Dear Carol Elizabeth,
It’s such a difficult decision, isn’t it? Your dog seems healthy in some ways, and is drifting away in other ways. I read that it’s hard to tell if dogs are in pain because they often don’t show it. They withdraw.
Have you talked to your veterinarian? I think that’s an important first step in making this decision. A vet can help you figure out if your dog is suffering in any way. If she is, then I believe it’s time to say good-bye. Euthanasia is a final act of love and compassion – it’s not an act of cruelty! It can be the best last thing you do for your dog.
I think it’s important to tease out the difference between you not wanting to let go of the sweetest dog you’ve ever known, and you wanting to do the right thing for your dog. Sometimes we don’t do the right thing because we want to protect ourselves, not our dogs.
I wish you all the best as you make this difficult decision, and hope you return to tell me how you’re doing and what you decided.
Blessings,
Laurie
I am having a horrible decision about putting my dog down. My husband seems to think its about time but I am just not sure. She is a 16 year old yellow lab. She is the sweetest dog I have ever known. She is peeing (has been for about 6 months) and lately has started pooping all over the house. She doesn’t really pee inside in front of us so I can’t tell if she is ashamed by it but when she poops inside she seems to feel bad about it. She is arthritic and is on pain medicine. It helps her a lot but she sometimes has trouble getting up and walking down the stairs. She can do it, it just sometimes takes her awhile. She is also getting senile. She goes through spells at night where she stands at the bottom of the stairs and stares at us and barks (she is doing it right now) then walks around and lays down and immediately gets up again. I don’t know if this means she is in pain. Sometimes she gets a spacey look in her eyes and I know she isn’t in her right mind. She is very hard of hearing and her vision isn’t that great anymore. The good part is that she has a very good appetite, gets really excited for breakfast and dinner, and besides being a little stiff she can walk around and sometimes even trot. She still loves attention and loves being pet. I am terrified of making the wrong decision. I just feel like I have always thought that the time for a dog to go is when they can’t stand up by themselves and lose their independence. I can’t imagine going in with her all happy and trotting around and putting her to sleep. Please give me some insight!
Julie:
First know that you are in my prayers! Second know that
God is with you. He will provide comfort in the days ahead if you allow Him to do so.
I also truly believe, based on your previous comments, that it
was exactly the right time. You were in no way too soon! Although you don’t feel that right now, with the passing of time you will.
The purpose of the sedative was to relax
your precious Taz. You did not let him down, and Taz knows that.
You can’t erase the many years of your loving relationship with Taz that
quickly.
Know that there are many praying for you in this very difficult time. And although incredibly difficult to understand now, with the passing of time, you will come to realize that your decision was the absolute, right decision for your precious Taz.
God Bless You Julie.
Thanks for your reply Laurie. The vet came on wednesday evening and put Taz to sleep. The sedative hardly touched him, he didn’t want to go and fought against the canula for the lethal dose. He was frightened and panicky, he didn’t want to go. I went with it because i had cried for a week before in contemplation of the pending day. I had taken time off work the preceeding days to spend with him. The crem was booked and had the Easter weekend to get to stop crying before going back to work on Tuesday. I came home to an empty house with a metal jar yesterday and the empty space where my dog was been. I am destroyed. Feel like I murdered and betrayed the most precious trusting thing in my life, he didn’t want go, I let him down. Now I know the poignance of Rick’s comments below, I now have to life with the guilt of too soon,,,,,,,,
Dear Dave,
I’m sorry about Rowdy; it sounds like his passing will leave a very big hole in your life, as well as the lives of his furry friends.
I think you are a very brave and wise man for thinking ahead the way you are, and considering how Rowdy’s death will affect your other two dogs. I would talk to the veterinarian or a dog behavior specialist about how to help Andy. I am not a vet, and I can’t give advice like that. I’m sorry I can’t be more helpful.
That said, however, here’s a general article I wrote about helping animals mourn after someone they love dies:
http://theadventurouswriter.com/blog/animals-mourning-separation-death-helping-your-pet-cope/
I hope this helps a little, and wish you all the best as you make this difficult decision.
Blessings,
Laurie
Dear Julie,
As heartbreaking as it is, I think you should take your veterinarian’s advice. I don’t think it’s a betrayal to put your dog to sleep; I believe that it is a final act of love and compassion. If your dog is in pain, then he is suffering needlessly. I understand that he seems content. But what kind of life is he living?
Death is the great unknown, which makes it scary. But what if it is better than being stuck in a body that has broken down and possibly painful?
I am sorry you have to experience this. It’s terrible, and you may feel like you’ll never get over the loss. You’ll grieve for a long time, and it won’t be easy.
That said, however, you need to say good-bye when the time is right for you as well as for your dog. There is no easy answer for when it’s right…you have to trust your heart and your head, and be strong and courageous.
Blessings,
Laurie
Dear Wanda,
I’m sorry I couldn’t get to your comment before now. Did you go through with the appointment?
I am currently in a situation of denial somewhat. Rowdy is my beloved Dalmatian and has been for nearly 14 years. He has survived through quite a lot from the get go. I believe he is the last out if a liter of 15 pups from June 1999.
My issue comes when I assist him getting up and realize he has not been able to get up on his own for a couple weeks now. He has not needed much assist in walking but now I help him 90% of the time with the aid if a gait belt. He still eats standing without assistance, poops, and barks actively when the other dogs bark. Wags his tail when having assistance walking and seems to wait to go to the bathroom until I assist him outside. My other issue with this is he has a friend who was a rescue. Andy has become dependent on him and has separation anxiety when they are not together. Needless to say they have only been separated once in the last 6 years and have even survived a Hurrucane evac together. I have a third dog who has not bonded as well with Andy and I’m particularly concerned with his well being afterwards. They still clean and lick each other. They also share the same cot together. What can I expect with Andy after Rowdy passes? I have given myself till Friday to make the decision for Rowdy and would appreciate any advice in assisting with the other dogs emotional state durin this time. What to expect? How to handle a grieving pet afterwards? Thank you.
I just made the decision of scheduling my beloved Babee to sleep. She has severe and degenerative joint pain, loss hearing, and becoming blind in both eyes. She’s in pain all the time, I know it, and I don’t want to continue her life on medication that really doesn’t work. I read an article about knowing when the time comes, and it stated that when your dog can’t do the things they use to do, such as that joy in their stride, bounce in their step, that glee and happiness in that you see in the sparkle of their eyes and the wagging of their tails. Well if this doesn’t exist anymore, then it is time.
On April 6th I will lay on the floor next to my beloved Babee, embracing and kissing her as she goes to sleep in my arms, Tearfully I will take her body and bury her next to her father. 15 Wonderful, loving, loyal, humorous and glorious years you’ve given me.THANK YOU my Best friend . No more pain my dear one. I Will See you again.
i would appreciate your help. i feel so torn and am terrified of betraying my dog when he fights so hard to stay with me. he is 15, he has been on tramadol for nearly a year for arthritus; the last 4 months he has been incontenent, i wash him everyday and change his bedding twice a day. this last month he has totally lost the strength / working of his back legs. the vet has told me i should put him to sleep and we have booked the day for 4 days time. my delemour is that he still seems content, loves his cuddles and brushes, eats like a horse, poohs properly etc, i just don’t know what to do…..
Hi: I just found out on a Thursday that my 12-year old dog has an aggressive form of cancer. It all started about a year ago with a sore on his front paw that he kept licking. The vet told me that his condition is only going to get worse and I should put him to sleep. If it wasn’t for the tumor on his paw you couldn’t tell that something is wrong. We keep the tumor covered and he has meds. He eats, plays, wags his tail, and waits for someone to rub his belly. How can I put him to sleep when he’s still so active? Today is Friday and I’ve scheduled his appointment for Monday, but I’m seriously thinking about canceling the appointment until I notice a change in his behavior. This is so hard.
Thanks for your thoughts, Rick. I appreciate them – and I know other readers do, too!
I agree that finding the balance between one day too soon and one day too late is so difficult. Maybe impossible, because if you wait one day too late, then your dog suffers. I love my dog so much, I would rather spare her one moment of suffering.
It helps me to think that death is not bad. I think of death as another way of being, a step into a spiritual world that I know nothing about. But, I do not believe death is something to be feared or avoided. That helps me when I feel overwhelmed by grief at the loss of my pets.
When you decide to put your dog to sleep, I think you have to trust that you made the right decision. Second-guessing yourself only brings grief. You have to accept that it is time for your dog to leave this world, and wait for you in the next one.
There is no clear answer, is there? I think we hold on to the beliefs that help us make sense of the world and our lives.
Blessings,
Laurie
One final, final thought on this.
Dr. Haynes states the following: “There will come a day when it is absolutely clear to you that your dog or cat is not enjoying life. That day is one day too late. If you can save your pet even one day of discomfort, you must.”
I would only say that if you decide on euthanasia “one day too soon”, my sense is the grief will be with you forever. Do you see the difference? If you’re one day too late, then sadly your pet would have suffered one day too long, but his/her suffering would have been temporary in nature, sad but temporary. If you’re one day to soon, then the suffering for you will be permanent, you’ll always be grieving over the question of “did I decide too soon?” . . .
Thank you for this blog. I read the posts last night and now would like to add my thoughts in the hope of helping someone else.
My wife and I made the decision to put our 13 year old Schauzer to sleep this morning. Maggie had multiple health problems, sinus arrythmia, protein spillage from her gall bladder, and after dental work three weeks ago, she went downhill fairly fast. The last few days confirmed in our minds that it was time to do the right thing for Maggie and help her to go to sleep. This morning, at the time, when looking in her eyes for the last time, we knew she understood and trusted us that we were doing the right thing for her. Although the grief today has been incredibly hard, we both knew that our decision was for Maggie not for us.
A final thought. . . after this experience, and I write this in the hope that perhaps it might help someone else, that the emotions were in three parts. First, the thought of losing our precious Maggie. Second, the loss of Maggie. And finally, the aftermath of losing her to euthanasia. The emotion associated with first part was grief and is past us, but let me just say it was heartwrenching. The emotion associated with the second part is grief and is still with us and may be for awhile. But the emotion associated with the third part is JOY and, quite honestly, counterbalances the second and will stay with much longer until our deaths.
For believers, we have hope that we will be reunited with Maggie in heaven and that brings us incredible joy. For non-believers, just knowing that you did this for your pet and NOT for yourselves can help with the second part.
Sorry for such a long post, but hopefully it will be of help to some of you. May God Bless you and your families who are going through this.