“We share your sorrow. [Pet's name] was truly an incredible dog/cat.” “I'm so sorry for your loss. I hope the pain in your heart will be eased by the beautiful memories you shared with [pet's name].”
Instruct your team to say, “I'm so sorry you're facing this.” Support staff should not be scared to show some emotion—clients want to know they care. staff should retrieve as much information from the client as possible.
Laugh and cry at the same time. Surround yourselves with all his/her favorite toys and beds and blankets. It's ok to cry, and it's also ok to celebrate! I love when people tell me they took their dog to the beach or napped in the sun with their cat right before coming in to the hospital.
We do not conclude from scripture that euthanizing pets, if done for humane reasons, is not a sin. God has given us the authority and responsibility to care for our animals, and euthanizing them is, in certain situations, a God-honoring expression of our care.
Provide a hug, a squeeze of the hand, or touch on the shoulder-whatever you feel comfortable doing. Listen more than talk and also listen in a non-judgmental manner. Allow periods of silence. Know that depression and anger are normal emotions and expressions of grief.
Here are some examples of what not to say when a pet dies: "Don't cry." Crying is part of the grieving process for many people. "It's just a [dog/cat/etc.]." A comment like this that downplays the loss is mean and thoughtless. You don't know what the pet meant to that person.
If you've lost a pet, chances are you've heard of the Rainbow Bridge. This bridge is a mythical overpass said to connect heaven and Earth — and, more to the point, a spot where grieving pet owners reunite for good with their departed furry friends.
In addition to printed versions of the poem in sympathy cards, there are now several “Rainbow Bridge” memorials one can buy to honor their pet or to give to someone who is grief-stricken. In fact, Humane Goods is proud to have made our own memorial, the Rainbow Bridge Memorial Chimes.
Answer: Fortunately for us, dogs do not understand they are going to be put down and what happens after they are given the injection that puts them to sleep.
Following euthanasia, your veterinarian or veterinary nurse or technician will help to gently clean your pet if necessary, and remove any intravenous cannula that was placed. Then, depending on whether you are burying your pet at home, having your pet cremated or are still undecided, a few different things may happen.
To avoid contributing to your dog's grief, offer love and reassurance after the loss of another household pet. “There's nothing wrong with trying to cheer up your dog,” says Dr. Bekoff. “Give him an extra treat, extra walk, a hug, or let him sleep next to you.”
And yet the death of a family pet can remind us of how vulnerable, precarious and precious life is. It's that process of acceptance and letting go that builds the resilience necessary to navigate an array of life's obstacles. We hone an ability to adapt to the evanescence of our lives with grace and hope.
Focus on their feelings
Encourage the person to share how they felt emotionally about what is upsetting them. Asking the person will not upset them more but may allow the emotions they've been holding in to be released. Voicing painful feelings can help to reduce emotional distress.
When we assist an animal to die, we are really doing so at their request. Animals know when they are dying. They are not afraid of death, at least not in the sense that we people are. Nearing death, they come to a place of acceptance and try to communicate that to us.
Even when made with the most compassionate of intentions, it's quite natural to feel a certain degree of guilt. These feelings are a testament to the degree of love and devotion we felt towards our pet. On some level, it can even be beneficial as it is a normal part of the grieving process.
The doctor will listen carefully to your pet's heart to ensure it has stopped before pronouncing him or her gone. After that, there is no danger of your pet waking up. This is a very common fear for pet owners.
If the euthanasia solution is accidentally given outside the vein, it could cause a burning sensation. If the dog moves (but not necessarily has to) and soon there's a hole in the vein or the catheter comes out of the vein, the Solution can leak outside the vein into the tissue. This being my cause, the dog to cry out.
Guilt after euthanizing a pet can be traumatic for any pet owner. You may feel responsible even if there was nothing you could do to control the situation. This can keep you in a never ending cycle of guilt and grief.