Home Euthanasia
Patsy Mich, DVM
Several months ago, it was my honor to participate in the death of a wonderful dog. The decision to help Jolly die was a difficult one for her family but when her quality of life and joy in living had deteriorated, her family chose to honor her life with a timely and loving death. It was a spring day, and Jolly's collar was laced with daisies, a gift from her two young companions.
After a carefully planned ceremony of stories, memories, tears and gentle hugs, Jolly died at home in the field where she had played for many years. A tree was planted over her body and the daisy-laced collar buckled around its trunk. It was a warm, gentle, respectful tribute to a lovely dog's life.
When an animal companion's life has lost its sparkle, and it becomes clear that a decision to help a companion die is imminent, there are several options to consider. It's important to investigate them, to express your wishes and to see that they are fulfilled.
One such choice, home euthanasia, can be a meaningful and comforting experience. Often family members are more at ease with their feelings and more comfortable with expressing them at home. Home euthanasia is ideal for arranging a special ceremony in the place where the animal lived and played. Additionally, an animal companion can avoid a potentially stressful trip to the unfamiliar surroundings of the animal hospital.
For others, the experience of a death within the home may be uncomfortable serving as a constant, painful reminder. These people prefer to recall home as the place where their companion was alive and well. In either case, the decision must be made carefully and arrangements coordinated to make the experience appropriate and meaningful for those affected by it.
If home euthanasia is chosen, some details must be considered. Does the animal's veterinarian perform home euthanasia; if not, can he help find someone who will? It is important to decide who will be present. Special attention should be given to children. While older children can be offered the choice of being present, you may need to make other arrangements for very young children.
What will be done with the body? Home burial is legal throughout the Denver metro area, and can be possible even when the ground is frozen with the assistance of a cemetery. If home burial is not chosen, other arrangements must be made in advance with a veterinarian or with a pet cemetery so that the body can be taken for burial or cremation on the day of euthanasia.
What sort of ceremony or memorializing would be appropriate? This is a wonderful opportunity for children and parents to participate and express their feelings in a personal manner, honoring the unique bond each family member shared with the animal. I have witnessed reading of poetry, singing, storytelling, praying and many other beautiful tributes to lives now ended. There's is no limit to the possibilities.
With careful consideration of these details, all of the human companions of the animal can orchestrate a loving, meaningful death for a treasured friend at home.
This article is courtesy of the Pet Loss Support Group of the Denver Area Veterinary Medical Society.
Patsy Mich, DVM
Several months ago, it was my honor to participate in the death of a wonderful dog. The decision to help Jolly die was a difficult one for her family but when her quality of life and joy in living had deteriorated, her family chose to honor her life with a timely and loving death. It was a spring day, and Jolly's collar was laced with daisies, a gift from her two young companions.
After a carefully planned ceremony of stories, memories, tears and gentle hugs, Jolly died at home in the field where she had played for many years. A tree was planted over her body and the daisy-laced collar buckled around its trunk. It was a warm, gentle, respectful tribute to a lovely dog's life.
When an animal companion's life has lost its sparkle, and it becomes clear that a decision to help a companion die is imminent, there are several options to consider. It's important to investigate them, to express your wishes and to see that they are fulfilled.
One such choice, home euthanasia, can be a meaningful and comforting experience. Often family members are more at ease with their feelings and more comfortable with expressing them at home. Home euthanasia is ideal for arranging a special ceremony in the place where the animal lived and played. Additionally, an animal companion can avoid a potentially stressful trip to the unfamiliar surroundings of the animal hospital.
For others, the experience of a death within the home may be uncomfortable serving as a constant, painful reminder. These people prefer to recall home as the place where their companion was alive and well. In either case, the decision must be made carefully and arrangements coordinated to make the experience appropriate and meaningful for those affected by it.
If home euthanasia is chosen, some details must be considered. Does the animal's veterinarian perform home euthanasia; if not, can he help find someone who will? It is important to decide who will be present. Special attention should be given to children. While older children can be offered the choice of being present, you may need to make other arrangements for very young children.
What will be done with the body? Home burial is legal throughout the Denver metro area, and can be possible even when the ground is frozen with the assistance of a cemetery. If home burial is not chosen, other arrangements must be made in advance with a veterinarian or with a pet cemetery so that the body can be taken for burial or cremation on the day of euthanasia.
What sort of ceremony or memorializing would be appropriate? This is a wonderful opportunity for children and parents to participate and express their feelings in a personal manner, honoring the unique bond each family member shared with the animal. I have witnessed reading of poetry, singing, storytelling, praying and many other beautiful tributes to lives now ended. There's is no limit to the possibilities.
With careful consideration of these details, all of the human companions of the animal can orchestrate a loving, meaningful death for a treasured friend at home.
This article is courtesy of the Pet Loss Support Group of the Denver Area Veterinary Medical Society.