by Sabrina Martin

Created on: May 16, 2008   Last Updated: September 17, 2009

The one thing we all want in life more than anything is to be truly accepted and loved exactly as we are. Often the only place we find this love is in our beloved furry companions.

Regardless of your mood or how good you look, they love you. Many of the people we know hold onto our mistakes and faults for a lifetime. Our canine friends, on the other hand, not only forgive, they also forget.

Roger Caras once said: "Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole." Anyone who has a dog can attest to the truth of these words. This, of course, is why saying goodbye is so hard to do.

I worked in a veterinary clinic for two years and every day several pets were brought in for euthanasia. As heartbreaking as this was to watch it was even more painful to see the pets that were suffering unbearably because the owner was unable to say good bye.

I have also experienced the loss of my own pets and understand all to well the pain of the goodbye. Deciding when euthanasia is the right thing to do is a sorrowful duty. Many avoid euthanasia because they fear it is inhumane, or they experience guilt feelings. However euthanasia is very humane. It is a quick and painless process, and all pets are treated with gentleness, compassion, and care.

With all that our special friends give us, we owe it to them to ensure that they are able to leave this world peacefully.

Since our relationship with them is such a dear one and we become as close to them as we do our own family, I believe it is important, if possible, to have a proper goodbye.

If you have concluded that it is time for euthanasia, arrange time to be with your pet alone, or with family. Make this a special time. Talk to your pet; communicate your love and appreciation for the wonderful companion he or she has been to you. Reassure him that everything will be ok. Allow yourself to experience any and all of the emotions that arise.

At the vet clinic I worked for we were partnered with a business that provided a chapel where the family could be with the departed pet, as well as the option of burial with choices of headstones, and cremation with a variety of urns. This may be something you'll want to consider looking into if you are approaching the euthanasia of your pet, or have lost a pet.

Although our pets can not be with us in the body forever, the things we learn from them and experience with them will never be forgotten.

Know that you are making the right choice. Our pets let us know when they are ready to move on. Just listen and you will hear them.

Learn more about this author, Sabrina Martin.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.