{"title":"Anticipating Pet Loss and How to Prepare","description":"\u003ch1\u003ePreparing for the Loss of Your Pet\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cimg alt=\"Preparing for the Loss of Your Pet\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0709\/9819\/6355\/files\/pet-dog-sheltie.jpg?v=1772727439\" style=\"float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;\"\u003eIt's\n a part of life that we'd all like to think we're  mentally prepared \nfor.  It's the way of  nature, after all:  When we adopt our  pets, we \nknow on some level that we'll eventually have to make some difficult  \ndecisions as they get older.  We  understand that, in most cases, we \nwill outlive our cats and dogs.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\tThis matter-of-fact logic somehow escapes \nus when the time  comes to say goodbye to a cherished pet.   Our animals\n are capable of showing affection, making us laugh, cheering  us up \nbut they are unable to tell us when they are sick or in pain.  As our \npets age or become ill, we are often  faced with the painful idea of \nchoosing to end our pets' suffering.  The decision to euthanize a pet is\n never an  easy one feelings of guilt, grief, and anger are quite \ncommon.  Often, the grieving process begins  before the end of a pet's life.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCoping with a  Difficult Decision\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\tDuring your pet's final weeks or months, \nit's important to  prepare yourself and your family for the complex \nrange of emotions that you  will feel when let your pet go.  Make  sure \nthat you and your family know what to expect, and take a few extra steps\n  to make the most of your time with your pet:\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTalk to  your vet - \u003c\/strong\u003eYour\n pet's veterinarian  understands how you are feeling, and he or she can \nanswer all of your questions  about your pet's health and well-being.   A\n good vet should be willing to discuss the emotional aspects of  \neuthanasia with you and your family.\n\t\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInvolve  your family\u003c\/strong\u003e -\n Everyone in the family  should be consulted when deciding to euthanize a\n pet.  Discuss the decision together, and be sure  that everyone \nunderstands the reasons behind the decision.  If you have young \nchildren, you may not want  to discuss euthanizing your family pet; some\n younger children may not be ready  for such a mature topic.  Use your \nbest  judgment based on your child's age and maturity level.\n\t\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKeep your  emotions under control - \u003c\/strong\u003ePets\n are  very sensitive to human emotion.  It's  natural to feel sad in \nyour pet's final days, but remember that your pet  doesn't know what's \ngoing on.  If you are  overcome with emotion, your pet may feel afraid, \nconfused, or stressed  out.  You'll have time to grieve later.  Try to \nkeep your spirits up around your pet  and focus on making him physically\nand  emotionally comfortable.\n\t\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBe  realistic - \u003c\/strong\u003eIt's \nnot easy to choose  euthanasia for your pet, but it's important that \nkeep your pet's best interests  at heart.  If your pet is too sick or in\n  too much pain to enjoy a good quality of life, euthanasia is usually \nthe most humane  decision you can make.\n\t\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\tWe all want our pets to live long and \nhealthy lives; we want  them to have the best quality of life possible. \n  It's not easy to prepare for the loss of a faithful friend, but \nknowing  what to expect and accepting your feelings can help you and \nyour pet feel  comforted in your remaining days together.\n\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[],"url":"https:\/\/www.everlifememorials.com\/collections\/anticipating-pet-loss-and-how-to-prepare.oembed","provider":"Everlife Memorials","version":"1.0","type":"link"}