Dog Euthanasia: A Guide to the Difficult End
At some point it will happen. The horrible thing. The eyes you've looked into so many times will close one last time. The bed your friend used to sleep soundly in will gape empty. And the grief will loom large and heavy inside. Be it due to natural causes or a circumstance that results in the heartbreaking decision to put your friend to sleep...
Avoid unnecessary suffering for your dog
The suffering of dogs, while they are desperately held and euthanasia is postponed to a future that does not exist, is an animal welfare problem in Sweden. We have a legal obligation to protect our dogs from unnecessary suffering. There are dogs that are old and seriously ill, that need to undergo long treatments with little chance of recovery, or are acutely ill whose future does not look bright. For these dogs, trying to keep them around can be just that, unnecessary suffering. You can read more about how to interpret a dog's symptoms of pain in this article on pain in dogs.
Difficult to know when your dog is suffering
However, it is not always easy to know when dogs are in distress. It is difficult to assess and take a stand on physical and psychological suffering. And if you stand there in the dark with veterinarians talking about new treatments, surgeries and time gained, an ethical and fair decision can seem almost impossible. We humans have extremely strong bonds with our dogs, they are family members. This also makes this decision unthinkable for many.
What to consider when your dog's best interests are at stake
You should think about why you want to keep your friend alive for as long as possible. The answer is probably simple - the opposite is terribly painful. Of course, you don't want to make that decision that will cause the death of a loved one... But with the dog's best interests in mind, you may have to face your own fears and grief, even if you don't feel ready. It is not honorable to let a dog live out its final years with a suffering that will snuff out the spark that was once there. It is not fair.
Love's difficult decisions
The fact that it's the right decision doesn't make it any easier to make. It doesn't make it any easier to book an appointment with the vet and sit by while that last breath is taken. But despite that, a responsible, ethical and fair decision has been made. It was made out of love and a desire for a dignified end to their friend's life. Not to be cruel, but to be merciful, no matter how much it weighs on your own heart.
Rainbow Bridge: When it's time to say goodbye
You're never ready to lose your friend, let alone be the one to make that terrible decision. But sometimes you just need to jump. Love should be stronger than the fear of losing. If it is not, you still have a responsibility, a duty to protect from suffering. Sometimes the rainbow bridge is the less painful choice for the dog. And then it's time. Time for the final journey to peaceful rest.
How the culling process works
If you are facing the dreaded decision, there are many emotions at play: sadness, anger, frustration, resignation... But maybe also a bit of confusion about how to proceed and how it all works. Below is some advice that will hopefully guide and help you.
1. contact your vet for information
Before a euthanasia, it is good to be prepared, both emotionally and practically. So call a veterinary clinic yourself or ask a friend to call and ask how a euthanasia is done. Usually you can go in and out through a back door and avoid the waiting room. You can also pay in advance to avoid having to deal with it afterwards.
You and your dog, and those you choose to bring with you for support, will be shown into an examination room. A nurse will administer an initial shot of sedative to put your friend into a deep sleep. Then the vet will come and, when you are ready, administer a dose of anesthetic that will painlessly and quickly stop your dog's heart.
Your dog may let out a deep, loud sigh. Then the rest is eternal. And your grief will fill the room. The clock will stop and everything will be so uncomfortably quiet. They say time heals all wounds, but the loss of a dog is something you carry with you all your life. It becomes easier to bear with time and the tearing pain is replaced by sweet memories of the life you shared. It won't "go away", but the emotional storm will subside.
2. Options after euthanasia
When it's all over, there are a few different ways to proceed. You can choose to have your dog's ashes brought home to be scattered in a place of your choice. Then you choose individual cremation. Cremation with other animals, group cremation, is another option, but it doesn't give you the choice to take the ashes home.
If you prefer, you can take your friend's body with you and bury it yourself. It varies from municipality to municipality as to whether you are allowed to bury your dog on the land without permission. However, you can always choose another beautiful place in nature for your friend's final resting place, as long as you have permission from the landowner.
3. prepare for the grieving process
There are books, podcasts and articles available on grief work. No one's grief is the same as anyone else's, but reading about others' can give you tools to deal with your own. Grief is not something that hits you the day your dog is no longer alive. The grieving begins the day you look at your dog and realize that she/he is not forever. That time is running out. That the sands of the hourglass are beginning to settle.
Cry as much as you need to, be angry if it helps, get help and dare to express your feelings. And take care of yourself! Grief work is often divided into four phases:
- The shock phase (it feels like you are living in a nightmare, it feels unbelievable, denial is common).
- Reaction phase (realization sets in, strong emotions flow, escape behavior is common).
- The processing phase (you have gone through the reactions and have reached an acceptance, grief is calmer now).
- Reorientation phase (you are on the other side, start to think about the future and are able to do things you have done before).
When you need help with grief
If you get stuck in phases one to three, don't hesitate to seek help! Not everyone gets through grief on their own, and a psychologist is the right person to help you move on if you're stuck in the grip of grief. Grieving a dog is like grieving a family member. Don't let anyone say "It was just a dog" to minimize your grief. Take it seriously.
The pain shows your love
All the pain you feel stems from all the love that existed between you and your dog. It is painful, difficult, heavy but beautiful at the same time. It hurts because you loved so much.
Written by: Caroline Alupo
Caroline Alupo is Petli's co-founder. She has a master's degree in ethology and is also a trained dog trainer and dog psychologist. She has 19 years of experience as a professional dog trainer. Read more about Caroline here.
Your personal dog trainer on your mobile
Petli is the app where you can train your dog in a fun format, get personalized coaching from dog experts, meet like-minded people in a warm community and exclusive discounts on great products.
