I have often read “you know when the time is right” and maybe I am lucky to not have to question that yet. My cat Charlie was sick about four months ago, and seeing him in such a bad way for weeks on end was scary as he slowly recovered. Having him spend the night being monitored by the hour at the vets made questions creep into my mind as I laid awake, and that question was; Am I about to lose my best friend?
Having a pet is one of the most amazing things I have ever done. Years filled with love, fun, companionship, memories, and never once being judged. But one of the hardest parts of having a pet is eventually having to say goodbye to them. So if that moment comes, when the vet may suggest putting your loved one to sleep, why does even the thought of doing it fill me with total guilt?
Guilt is a feeling I am all too used to inside my head, but when I think about making that choice, I can’t help but feel like I am taking a decision away from my cat. It would all be so much easier if we could ask our pet what they would want, if they are happy to go, but sadly that choice is in our hands, and not theirs, thus the dilemma of being a pet owner.
If faced with the question of putting your pet to sleep, you need to tell yourself that it is the last option. Making this choice isn’t about being mean, but about giving your loving pet the best end they could ever ask for, taking away pain and giving them peace. The other option isn’t to be frowned upon, either. Caring for your pet, making sure they are not in pain until they naturally die is a valid option that I do not want to take away from anyone, and who knows, when the time comes, maybe I will choose that route for Charlie. Maybe I won’t be strong enough to push past that guilt I spoke about earlier.
As a pet owner, you need to acknowledge that deciding to say goodbye is an act of love. Though those guilty questions may linger, what you need to focus on is the joy and companionship they brought into your life and you into theirs. In the end, the tough choice to let go shows the depth of your connection and the selfless-ness you have for your best mate. I will leave you with this quote, that never fails to express exactly how I feel about owning a pet.
“They might only be a part of our lives, but to them, you are their whole life.”
