When making the decision to put our animals to sleep the choice is often represented by a Triangle – Patient, Family, and the Vet – it is essential to allow time and space between these three.
How will I know when it’s ‘time’?
There is a fear of making the wrong decision. If there is a lack of confidence– invite those whose opinions you respect. Don’t share stuff with those who know exactly how you feel!
Avoid mind chatter….”I could be doing more / not doing enough, what if they pass without me being there, am I paying enough attention, am I just caught up in my own emotional turmoil.”
Use a Mantra of mine “Avoid all thoughts that weaken you” and you will find it clears the mind marvelously.
Positive things you can do for your Pet.
Pets have a strong sense of ‘appearance.’ Help them maintain their self-respect, and dignity by providing regular but not intrusive grooming for example, my dog waits for me to grab a tissue and wipe his eyes first thing in the morning!
Cleanliness and hygiene is really important. Provide a safe place where the children can’t bother them or other household pets annoy them, quiet and peaceful if that’s what they want.
Maintain a routine, minimize changes
Medication – only those needed to resolve issues, not to cover them up. The sticking plaster approach unfortunately confuses the pet and the owner and obscures decision-making
Observe the physical changes in your pet – are they real or drug induced, do they affect their quality of life.
Can you recognise any pain or discomfort
Homeopathy, herbal medicine and the Bach Flowers are great tools to use for both family and pet. Take care not to transfer your negative emotions, it is just as important to work on yourself as it is the health of your pet and those around you.
Another Mantra – “The Work You Do On Yourself Is Your Gift To Others””
If you are wondering how to have a conversation with your pet and you don’t have a BA in Telepathy try this exercise…
Imagine a balloon. Put the sentence you want to say inside the balloon, puff it up and send it across to your pet. Imagine your pet receiving the balloon and listening to your words. It works. Then you have to listen to the reply and this is where you need to turn off your internal chattering mind and wait for the balloon to come back to you. Give your pet time to think about want THEY want to say.
It will be in this space that you will KNOW when the time is right….
Perhaps your conversations to your pet may go like this….
“You appear to have more positive energy today, what was it that brightened your day I wonder….
Are there things you worry about that I can help you with…
Your illness may eventually cause us to be separated from each other; you will change worlds and I will have to remain behind but I will always love you”
Your pet to You….
“Don’t begin missing me yet. Share this moment with me, everything is as it is meant to be.
And if you let me, I may guide you for all the moments to come.”
Note the Time of dying. If you listen carefully you may hear the Wind of Spirit – that which carries the soul of your beloved animal to its place in the animal kingdom. A little story about this.
Phraia was a loved family dog and her two sons were also part of the household. She was put to sleep in the afternoon and after the family had paid their respects, she was buried on a little hill near the house.
At 3am the next morning both of her sons sat up, looked towards the grave, lifted their heads and sang a goodbye. It was the song of the ancient wolf, a song of haunting enchantment released into the night air, a song that took their mothers’ soul across the Rainbow Bridge; for a brief moment, the Spirit of heaven and earth were one.
