Tag Archives: saying goodbye

Questions About Euthanasia

The most difficult choice you will face in your pet’s life comes near the end of your time together: euthanasia. If your pet’s quality of life is suffering, if your pet is in unmanageable pain, or if the cost of treatment is simply too much for you to bear, you may need to consider euthanasia as an option. When faced with the death of your pet, you may not know where to start thinking about it, or what questions to ask. The following list may help you make an informed decision. Discuss these questions with your family, your friends, and … Continue reading →

Preparing to Say Goodbye

It isn’t easy to think (or talk) about your pets dying. People who lose a pet unexpectedly may wish they’d had time to prepare, and to say goodbye. A person with a pet who suffers through a long illness may wish that their pet had passed quickly and painlessly. Whether your pet is seriously ill or simply old and running out of time, a little bit of preparation can make things easier once your pet has passed away. Talk to your veterinarian. Be honest about any questions you may have. Are there treatment options? Is your pet in pain? What … Continue reading →

Eleven More Ways to Memorialize Your Pet

Plant a tree, shrub, or special flowerbed in memory of your pet. Mark the site with a plaque or statue. An engraved plaque can hold your pet’s name, date of birth or date of adoption, and other important information. Have a favorite picture of your lost pet printed on a mug, t-shirt, watch, or just about anything! Try CafePress for a lot of different options for imprintables. If you have kept your pet’s remains, display them in a place of honor in your home or office. You may also choose to bury or scatter your pet’s cremains in a place … Continue reading →

Saying Goodbye: The Rainbow Bridge

WARNING: If you have ever lost a pet, this might just make you cry. It makes me cry every time I read it. When my Miko passed away in September of 2003, I chose to have him cremated and have his ashes returned to me. The people at our veterinarian’s office were amazingly nice through the whole thing. Within a week after Miko’s passing, I got a call that he was ready to be picked up. I was expecting just a container of ashes. I got a lovely package with his ashes in a tin; a certificate promising that he … Continue reading →

Saying Goodbye to Miko

Don’t know who Miko is? Look here. ~~~~ Friday night was perfectly normal. TV and dinner followed, and Miko helped me eat the chicken on my salad. He curled up at my side to sleep. Saturday morning, he was gone. He had left the bed to go into the back room and drift away in peace. At first, I thought he was sleeping. But when he didn’t respond to any amount of noise I made, the horrible truth hit me. I couldn’t bring myself to leave the sunny safety of the kitchen and touch him to verify. I was afraid … Continue reading →