“I’m afraid it’s the end of the road.”
There’s never a right time to say goodbye to a cherished pet. It’s not something you can emotionally prepare for. But how do you know when to let go?
Knowing When Their Time Is Near
The fight against cancer is difficult. You’ll notice days when your fur baby is happy and lively, and days when they barely eat or just want to sleep. The ups and downs make it challenging to decide whether you should hold on or let them go.
When Sasha and Ice deteriorated, they weren’t interested in their favorite treats and eventually stopped eating altogether. Sasha lost the use of her back legs when battling mast cell cancer, while Ice was in severe pain after being diagnosed with bone cancer. I felt guilty for a very long time after their passing, particularly in Sasha’s case. Had I waited too long and caused unnecessary suffering?
By the time I faced Blueberry’s emergency visit to the vet, I was adamant that I would do what was best for her quality of life. I wished to keep her around just a little bit longer, but sometimes you have to make hard decisions out of love.
Berry suffered from a hemangiosarcoma liver rupture, and her abdomen was full of blood. The vet gave me the option of surgery and explained how unlikely it would be that Berry would survive. If she did make it through surgery, she’d have a month left, spent in recovery. I couldn’t imagine such a lively dog with such a big personality being miserable and in pain, so that I might have an extra month with her. It was such a difficult decision, one of the worst days of my life, but I chose euthanasia.
One thing you should always remember, and I know how hard it is, is to always prioritize their quality and not their quantity of life.
The Question of Euthanasia
Some pet owners choose euthanasia long before their fur companions show signs of unmanageable pain, loss of appetite, or poor mobility. They’ll spend the day going for a walk in a beautiful location or feeding them their favorite treats before saying goodbye. Others wait until their pets are in severe discomfort, cannot walk, or end up at the vet in critical condition.
For pets with cancer, discuss the time for euthanasia with your vet. They can help you monitor your dog’s or cat’s condition based on the type of cancer or critical illness. Ultimately, the decision is up to you, and while it is extremely tough, don’t feel guilty about doing what is best for them. It’s a decision made out of love.
Saying Goodbye
Saying goodbye to Blueberry, I remember lying on the floor next to her with my arm around her in the vet’s office. As the euthanasia was administered, it felt as if she were falling asleep. I whispered in her ear; there was so much that I wanted to tell her. How much I loved her and how much she meant to me, but I knew, and she knew what was in our hearts. I wasn’t aware of her passing until the vet informed me that she was gone. She looked so peaceful.
There’s never really a ‘right’ time. Letting go is about considering their quality of life and the prognosis provided by your vet. Age is another factor. Senior pets are less likely to handle chemotherapy or major surgeries. Many types of treatments are also costly and may not provide the relief or the improvement that you hope for.
That final decision is the hardest thing you could ever be asked to do as a pet parent. You know their personalities, when they’re in constant pain, and when you’ve exhausted the options to help them. What you should do is equip yourself with information, understand the prognosis associated with your pet’s condition, and, of course, talk to your vet for guidance.
Hospice Care for Pets with Cancer
Hospice care for your dog or cat means assisting with their end-of-life needs. You can tend to their needs or hire professional caregivers who provide medical supervision and support for elderly and ailing pets. Dogs and cats with cancer often lose mobility and rely on you to take them outdoors to relieve themselves. During this time, you’ll be tasked with gently cleaning them, feeding them, and giving them lots of love! If your dog is immobile and quite heavy, you can use a harness or a sheet to lift them. A sheet can be placed under their bellies and gently lifted to help them become steady on their feet.
It is a good idea to create a quiet space where they can relax but still be part of the family. They want to be close to you. Hospice care for pets with cancer requires time and patience, so prepare for the emotional toll during their final days.
Good Days and Bad Days
Pets with cancer have good days and bad days, but when the bad days start outweighing the good, you have to question their quality of life.
Sasha passed a day before I was to contact the vet. I still question whether I should’ve made the call much sooner. She had lost her mobility but not her personality, and right up until the end, she would still bark at you for her favorite things, as she had done throughout her life. I think that’s why I struggled to say goodbye.
The night of her passing, she was in the living room resting on the carpet, and as I sat in front of her, she lifted her head and held my gaze for a few seconds. I knew that was her way of telling me that it was her time.
The ups and downs, visiting one vet after another, and trying different remedies to give each dog affected by cancer more time, came down to acceptance and perseverance. From holistic remedies with Sasha and Ice to chemotherapy with Blueberry, one thing’s for certain: we experienced a dog cancer journey filled with an abundance of unconditional love and endless hope. For that, I will be forever grateful.
Revelation 21:4
“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”