A vet friend talked from his perspective about putting animals down. He thinks that people sometimes put it off too long because they want to spend more time with the animal they love. That is understandable, except that sometimes that means that the poor thing suffers a lot as it dies. I already knew from the bottom of my heart that it was time to say goodbye to Coco, but there was some comfort in hearing this from him. Euthanasia was the most humane option for my pet. Her daily suffering was obvious.
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The process was so peaceful. They gave us as much time as we wanted. When we were ready, they attached an IV. Then, while we were all in the room, saying our goodbyes, they injected an anesthetic into the IV. She felt a dreamy buzz, but only for a moment. The anesthetic quickly put her in la-la land, and she was completely oblivious to our presence. We said our very last goodbyes, and left the room as they put another solution into the IV.
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I honestly expected that I would be untouched by emotion through this. I never felt as close to this dog as to other pets we've had. But when I saw my family in tears, it tore me apart inside. I grieved in earnest because of their grieving.
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I have wondered what it's like to be with a person while the essence of life escapes and turns their body into a vacant shell. Last Friday reminded me that death is a profound mystery to me. Then I tried to wrap my mind around the mystery of life, and how things are sustained or even made alive to begin with! These meditations left me worshipping our marvelous Creator.
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"In him we live and move and have our being." Acts 17:28a
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8 comments:
I think it is a good thing to be moved in contemplating the removal of life. It seems to be happening more frequently as we grow older. While all life is precious (as it has it's roots in it's all sustaining Creator), human life is supremely precious as we are the Imago Dei, the Image of God. May human life, especially the unborn, become precious to us again.
I feel for you Craver, and yes, I too think more about death and the afterlife, it goes with the feeling as we grow older.
You made me cry again.
my sister was with my mother when she died, and she said that she will never forget that the last long breath out was like her spirit leaving her body.
Amen to that, Brother Greg
I hear you, Imac. A wise man does not ignore it.
Sorry Shammy. I didn't mean to. (hug)
nAncY, that is a privilege I have never experienced. I met a man (of the cloth) who worked at a place for people who were very old. I thought it might be depressing, but he said it was a special thing to be with them in their last days. Surprisingly (to me) he said it was a very positive experience.
My sister is a vet and she would probably agree with your vet. It is a matter of quality of life and you do the best you can for your pet and when their quality of life isn't good, you make the last sad trip. I am sorry for your loss... Michelle
Craver: A proper send off for your pet. Death is a mystery that none of us understands completly. We see through a glas darkly and then face to face.
i'm sorry about coco. glad you all could give her a loving home all this time. peace to all of you.
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