Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
Are You Crazy to Be This Upset?
I am upset any time I have to put a cat to sleep. Certainly, it is the worst
part of the job of being a veterinarian. I am able to derive comfort from
the fact that I know I am able to end an animal's pain and suffering
through euthanasia. Anyone who has ever been close to a pet knows
how much it hurts emotionally when a pet dies, but people who have
not had pets often do not understand.
I think it is normal to want to cry when a pet you have loved and
shared your home with dies. I personally feel sadder about putting a cat
to sleep when the owners are not upset. I think it is vital to let your
emotions out, whether you are a man or a woman. Why should you
have to keep them bottled up? Those of us in the veterinary profession
do understand how painful it is to make a decision about a pet's life.
All family members, even those who may have previously claimed
not to care about the cat, will feel some sort of loss with the animal's
death. It is good to talk about it when possible. If there are children in
the family, let them know that you are sad too, but that all living crea-
tures will die at some time.
If you live alone, you should tell others about the loss of your pet
so that friends and relatives can help you and be supportive of your feel-
ings.Although no one else you know may have felt the same way about
the pet as you did, other support options are available.These include:
•
Local pet loss support groups
•
Pet loss support hotlines available by phone
•
Web sites dedicated to pet loss
See Appendix C for pet loss grief counseling hot lines.
Should You Get a New Pet?
Each person should go through a grieving period, but the length of time
will vary. A new cat will never replace an old one, but each animal should
find her own place in your heart. I personally think owners who feel a void
in their life from the loss of a pet should consider getting a new pet, because
they obviously have a lot of love that another pet would benefit from.
You may or may not want to get the same color, sex or breed of cat.
The decision is up to you, but remember the new cat is not a replace-
ment—she is an entirely new family member.You must also remember
that if you get a kitten, her behaviors and your responsibility to the ani-
mal will be different from those you have been accustomed to.
