Hello YodelMa, what a lovely and heartfelt eulogy. Though I am reading this a few months later, I can only guess that hole Ki left still is tender. I was doing some research about the later in life stages of older dogs, and since my lab mix Hershey is 12, he is very slow and 90% deaf. I had in mind what I want to do, when he tells me the time is near…...:( But I ran across some good information that I'd like to share from the AAHA senior care guide. the excerpt of links is here:
End of Life and Euthanasia
Making the Decision
During the euthanasia decision-making process and after the decision is made, provide the client with resources about the process and impact of euthanasia on the family and other pets. Such resources include web sites, hotlines, books, brochures, and professional counselors for both adults and children.71-74 Web site examples include www.argusinstitute@ colostate.edu, www.rainbowsbridge.com, www.aplb.org, and www.deltasociety.org. Examples of pet loss support hotlines include those at Washington State University (509- 335-5704), the University of California-Davis (530-752- 3602 or 800-565-1526), Tufts University (508-839-5302), the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association (630-325- 1600), Cornell University (607-253-3932), and the Delta Society (619-320-3298).
Consider and discuss with the client the “five freedoms” to aid in assessing the animal’s welfare and in making an ethical decision.75 The five freedoms include freedom from hunger and thirst; freedom from physical and thermal discomfort; freedom from pain, injury, and disease; freedom from fear and distress; and the freedom to express normal behavior.75 Assess the severity and duration of the animal’s condition with these freedoms in mind and use them to help clients identify their own criteria for treatment or euthanasia. Such criteria might include financial, moral, religious, cultural, physical, and mental/emotional factors.
