Have you ever noticed how hard it is to show understanding and compassion for others when we're in pain?
When everything is going well, we try our best to recognize others' feelings and show sympathy. But when things go wrong, we often focus solely on ourselves.
Anyone who has been to an ER can relate: when we're in pain, our world shrinks to our own suffering, making it hard to see that others might be in similar or worse situations.
And the ones we often overlook are the health workers who ease our pain. Yes, it's their job, but they're also human, and their work comes with a significant emotional and psychological toll.
Understanding Your Veterinarian
The same goes for veterinarians, the dedicated professionals who care for our pets. We usually visit them in a state of worry and panic, convinced that our pet's health issue is the most urgent. We might insist on immediate attention, dictate what we think they should do, and unload our emotional distress on them, expecting them to remain kind, professional, and understanding.
And most of the time, they do because they love animals and have dedicated their lives to treating them. However, it's important to remember that they deal with our emotional baggage alongside our pets' health issues.
Putting Your Pet to Sleep - More Than One Perspective
It might be hard to believe, but someone might suffer more than you when it's time to put your beloved pet to sleep. We should all try to recognize this.
You adopted your pet because you love animals and understand how they can enrich your life. Your veterinarian chose to dedicate years of their life to studying so they could improve and save the lives of animals.
Even though you've always known your pet would likely pass before you, when the moment comes, you feel lost and deeply saddened, especially if your pet is in pain and euthanasia is the only option.
The veterinarian you turn to in this difficult time chose their career to save animals, and according to many vets, euthanasia is the most emotionally challenging part of their job, often leading to depression and anxiety.
"Good Death"
Euthanasia comes from a Greek word meaning "good death," describing the practice of intentionally ending a life to relieve pain and suffering.
While still controversial in human healthcare, veterinarians are the only health professionals who can legally perform euthanasia. This is a heavy burden to bear.
Loss of a Pet
Euthanasia is justified when an animal is suffering with no hope of relief. Sometimes, a solution exists but is prohibitively expensive and may still fail. Many pet owners simply cannot afford these treatments. Although euthanasia is a difficult decision, it can provide relief from suffering, allowing the animal a "good death."
However, veterinarians face a greater challenge with "convenience euthanasia," where the animal is healthy or has minor issues, but the owners no longer want to keep it. Most vets are reluctant to perform this procedure but may have no choice if their clinic mandates it.
We Are in This Together
Euthanizing a pet out of convenience is far from the Greek concept of a "good death" and shows a lack of compassion for both the animal and the veterinarian performing the procedure.
Instead, consider other options like adoption, giving your pet a chance at a good life. Our decisions affect more than just our lives, so why not make them for the better?
Even putting convenience euthanasia aside, there are still many cases where euthanasia is the only choice.
When you and your veterinarian have tried everything to help your pet, but they are still suffering, it's time for a difficult conversation. This will likely be one of the saddest discussions you'll have, but it's crucial to talk about all the steps involved so you can prepare for what's to come. In these moments, remember that veterinarians offer the best advice and also share in the sorrow of an animal's passing.
We haven't found an easy way to cope with death and loss, but by supporting each other, we can make these difficult times a bit more bearable, knowing that there are people who understand and share our pain.