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End-of-Life Care for Pets

March 26, 2013

The New York Times yesterday had a long and interesting piece on the difficult choices people have to make when it comes to end-of-life care for their pets. This is certainly a subject Alayne and I have wrestled with so many heartbreaking times over the years. The decisions never get easier, no matter how much painful "experience" we have to go by. No doubt nearly everyone reading this blog has been in that position before, too.

The Times story was thoughtful and insightful, and I figured you might want to read it if you haven't already. Full story here.

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Posted in Dogs

6 responses to “End-of-Life Care for Pets”

Linda

March 26, 2013

This is a really good article. One of our rescue cats had surgery to remove a cancerous tumor on her neck a year and a half ago. It cost over $6000, which I had to take out of my retirement fund. She lived another 5 months. But I had to balance what it cost with the likelihood that if she survived the surgery she would be pain free and living her typical life. She did. It was worth every taxed penny.

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Lynn (in Louisiana)

March 26, 2013

This is a topic in need of much thought for pets as well as people. Such a personal choice~

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Ann

March 27, 2013

I’ve spent money I just didn’t have (I live on a fixed income)to try to give my dogs a fighting chance if they were ill, but there comes a time when you just know nothing will help anymore. As an example, my dog Tara was diagnosed with cancer and I spent a lot of money to try to see if I could keep her quality of life good for however long I could. Unfortunately, she passed a month after diagnosis, despite the wonderful care from my vet.
I’ve gone without a lot just to make sure my dogs have the best of care. They are my babies and loving companions. My children are grown and on their own, so it’s just me and my dogs 🙂

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Shirley * James/Portland, OR

March 27, 2013

Stated well by Linda, Lynn, Ann and the article. The truth: We have all gone without a lot to make sure our furry families have the best care.

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Tonya Allen

March 27, 2013

Thanks, that’s a thoughtful article. Something we definitely don’t want to think about, but have to face. And these days there are a lot more (and costlier) options. But in the end it all comes down to quality of life. Good article, thank you for linking to it.

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Michel Guardin

March 27, 2013

My dear cat was with me 18 years when she was diagnosed with a mammammary tumor. Sure, most people would have said “put her to sleep, she had a nice long life.” Sorry, she was my friend, my family and she wasn’t suffering. I had it removed and she had another wonderful year of life with us and her sister. You know when its time, they let you know. Just look in their eyes.

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