Parkside Animal Hospital / Thoughts shared

Denial, Anger, Sadness, Bargaining and Acceptance

... these are the five stages of grief outlined by grief psychiatrist Elisabeth Kubler-Ross.
Most people who have suffered a loss can identify with these stages.

Following are thoughts shared by persons/families dealing this loss of a pet:

"I didn't expect the grief that followed. I loved my dog and missed him; that wasn't the surprise. I was surprised at the guilt I couldn't shake. Was there something that could have been done? Should I let him die naturally? Was he ready? Did I do the right thing for him? In time, some memories of the good days began to surface. Like my grief, the guilt has lessened, but not yet completely gone away. Intellectually, I know I made the reasonable choice; but remembering still makes me cry."

"The process was much quicker than I thought, and so pain-free."

"I'd considered euthanasia for Dollie a few times before the day I took her in. I had strong opinions about what to look for.. like waiting until she stopped eating. I'd given the topic much thought, but still wavered at times and wondered whether I should wait that long."

"I was troubled and spent many sleepless nights, wondering whether I would make (and ultimately made) the right and responsible choice for a creature that I loved so dearly."

We knew that Maverick's time was limited.. his cancer moved so quickly and he was showing pain. What was comforting, was to know that he could leave with a minimum of pain. We loved him so.. When it was time, I felt no guilt, absolutely none, because the timing was right. We knew it was time."

"My vet was very kind. She didn't really tell me what to do, but she helped me look at options. I strugged with the decision to let Cinder go; but knew euthansia was best for her in this situation. I spent the next day with her, doing as many of her favorite things as she could manage. I held her as she crossed the bridge, but she did not suffer, I just could not let her suffer."