This week's blog entry for me may be viewed as shameless promotion, but I'd really like you all to check out the new referral website we just completed for pet parents.
The site is designed to help veterinary teams who want to help their clients when they must begin to plan for their pet's deaths. Our intention is to provide credible information, based on our experiences working side-by-side with veterinarians for twenty years, about the decisions and plans you can make BEFORE your pet dies.
We know from research and clinical experience that, even though it's emotionally challenging to think ahead to this sad event, it can be of tremendous help.
Why?
Because it can help ensure that your pet gets the kind of good-bye he or she deserves
It can help minimize the regrets you may have later if you can't do or say the things you want to say or do for your pet because you get caught off guard and are unprepared to say the kind of good-bye you want to say
It can help you understand what your veterinarian is and is not able to provide for you during euthanasia or even post-death support and counseling
It can help you be prepared to support your children, other relatives, neighbors, pet sitters, people you visit if your pet is a therapy animal, etc. If you don't think ahead, these folks may not have a chance to say good-bye in ways that are meaningful for them
Because planning ahead can spur you to gather the items that may make a huge difference for you in dealing with your own grief...that wonderful poem you want to read at your pet's memorial gathering, but can't lay your hands on...the "container" (casket, urn, or even an acceptable box of some sort) that you won't be able to locate when you need it most...
I think you get the idea.
When I talk with people who are anticipating the loss of their dear pet, I find they actually feel better when they can feel they are taking some action for their pet and for themselves that will be comforting in the long run.
And, as sad and anxious as the pre-death time may be for pet parents, it's actually a bit easier to think straight and make plans BEFORE a loss occurs. After the death of a pet, grief hits like a ton of bricks and your brain feels fuzzy and your energy often ebbs away just when you have lots of details and decisions to attend to...
Visit www.veterinarywisdomforpetparents.com and get a feel for what you might do now to help you and your family cope just a little bit better later...We Care and we're here to help. (photo from istockphoto.com)
--Laurel