Coping with Your Sadness over a Pet who Needs to Be Euthanized

She came to me as a woman with her big bright eyes as she had when she plead for something as a little girl. Oh, how could I negate her plea, even when I knew suffering was involved? A mother's heart will put aside her harm to cover with care her child's emotions. I want to stand by my three children when they need me, and when they want me; in bad or in good times; or just for the fun of sharing.

It was a pet that had to be given euthanasia. Her hope was that in three weeks the treatment would recover the pet's weight and strength. I thought I wasn't going to make it. The persisting long term crying felt as if the pain was too much for the pet. I cried and prayed for the pet's healing, but I didn't see improvement with her health. All we saw was an advanced deterioration in her whole being.

How do you stop nature? How do you act cold enough to know that a pet will be put to sleep? How do you put down a daughter's hope? How do you deal with her emotions and lead her through proper decisions? Questions over questions took over my sleep as the whining never quieted down. I took my daughter's suggestion of singing and it helped, but my time wasn't enough to stay near the pet.

Brian Jacques quoted: "Don't be ashamed to weep; 'tis right to grieve. Tears are only water, and flowers, trees, and fruit cannot grow without water. But there must be sunlight also. A wounded heart will heal in time, and when it does, the memory and love of our lost ones is sealed inside to comfort us."

With those words, we proceeded to cope with our sadness and be compassionate enough to stop the pet's suffering. My heart felt like bleeding from the pain of looking at those sad eyes of the pet as my husband drove and she kept encountering my eyes. The worst moment was the feeling of guilt when I handed the pet to my daughter. Euthanasia was the only help we could offer as humans.

Is it egoism that keeps people from acting in behalf of others well being? Is it guiltiness, the obstacle to act in favor of others, even when the knowledge of pain is obvious? Oh, how many questions without answers. There is just no explanation for some things I guess. There will be a time when God will reveal to His children the complete truth. We aren't prepared enough to understand certain earthly and spiritual issues.

Euthanasia is the termination of a very sick life in order to relieve them of their suffering. I understand there are mixed emotions on these lines, but i am not writing to defend if it is right or wrong. God granted us with freedom of choice and will judge us in His time.

It takes maturity to cope with sadness. It takes maturity to know how and when to act. We cannot control everything existing, but we can make a better environment with healthy and wise decisions. Dr. Seuss said: "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened."

I couldn't give health and stop the pain of the pet. I cannot bring the pet back to life. I did answer my daughter's plea, and I did the best I was able. Philippians 4:8 says: "Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things."

Sadness drives to depression and depression is like cancer. It keeps eating the well being and destroys the joy of living. Let the sun brighten each day. Nicole Krauss had social wisdom when she quoted: "There are two types of people in the world those who prefer to be sad among others, and those who prefer to be sad alone," We were created to be in company, someone's shoulder is waiting for you to cry on them. Love heals the deepest wound.

If you are experiencing the struggle of sadness provoked by the decision of euthanasia to a pet, ask yourself these questions:

1. Is the pet able, or will be, to defend it self?
2. Is the pet strong enough, or will be to feed itself?
3. Is the pet independent, or will be independent?

I think euthanasia is alright only if all the alternatives of healing have been used. God is real and amazing. He will provide a way to comfort you. There is a time for everything under the sun including a time to live and a time to die.

Euthanasia should be used when the condition is severe like those mentioned in the above list. Please, don't consider euthanasia when there may be an alternative action. Always remember that you can have someone else to adopt it. Never "put down" an animal if...

• You are moving
• It is old and ugly for your like
• A new member will be living in the house
• Correctable behaviors that you don't want to correct
• You don't have time for the pet

"Tears are words that need to be written." (Paulo Coelho) That is exactly what I just did in this hub. In the memory of 'Michy" and the strength of my admirable daughter.

May your sadness be left aside and rejoice in the hope of another day.

Blessings to all!

© Maria Magdalena Ruiz O'Farrill