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Determining Quality Of Life

DETERMINING QUALITY OF LIFE WHEN IS IT A GOOD TIME TO SAY GOODBYE

The decision to euthanize a pet is never an easy one. There are many factors that affect the answer to that question. The most important thing to remember is there is no right or wrong answer and we will support you in whatever decision you make.

One thing that can complicate this decision-making process is the unknown…unanswered questions. Nothing complicates grief more than mystery. Sometimes pets have a clear prognosis. We know exactly what our time frame looks like and what to expect over that course of time. More often than not, the picture is not so clear. Factors that need to be taken into consideration are the pet’s quality of life, the family’s quality of life, and family finances.

When looking at your pet’s quality of life, it can be a bit confusing to read the signs. How sick do they need to be? Is one area of their well being more important than another? Looking at this Life Scale may help put things into perspective for you.

Perhaps you are struggling with your faith. From a Christian perspective, this article answers tough questions about how God feels about the euthanasia of pets.

Judging your own family’s quality of life can feel a bit murky, but it should always play a role in your decisions. Are you having to lift a large breed dog several times a day to allow them to get up and eliminate? Is your pet incontinent and leaving behind messes in every room? Do you spend more of your time trying to get your pet to eat than you can really afford? Are you spending sleepless nights dealing with your pet’s illness or behaviors? These are all things that affect your quality of life. For some, it has been so long since they led a life not dictated by their ailing pet that they don’t remember what ‘normal’ is like. Take a deep breath and don’t feel guilty for assessing this portion of the equation.

Here is the toughest part for many people to consider…. finances. In an ideal world, none of us would have to make decisions based on our bank account. Unfortunately for most of us, reality requires that we do. Whether you have already spent a fortune on a sick pet or you just got a tough diagnosis, the reality is that we all have limits. When deciding whether to proceed further before euthanasia, one must always ask themselves… If I don’t get the outcome I am hoping for, will I regret spending the money? This is an important question and one that you must be honest with yourself about. Sometimes emotions make it hard to think logically about this. When reviewing this part of the equation, it is important to look at this side of things as your own accountant and advocate.