Ten years ago we had to put our 14 year old GR Mix to sleep. She had cancer and lived without pain for nearly a year. We took her to our vet to be euthanized. It ended up being a horrific experience. I held her during the injection; it was obviously painful to her, and the fear that came into her eyes; I have never forgotten. I felt like I had betrayed her trust in her final moment.
Our recent experience with our sweet Harley and Dr. Kimberly was a complete 360. From the moment I sent in an inquiry, I felt the love and compassionate care that would follow. Harley was only 9-1/2 but over the course of 3 weeks he developed a horrific tumor that grew from baseball size to grapefruit size. We watched him change just as quickly-always trying to be our Velcro Dog but finding it difficult to sit, and periodically acting sad and uncomfortable. The tumor began to weep and bleed, and it ended up that we needed to call upon Compassionate Pet Vet sooner than we had hoped.
Glynis was excellent in communicating, making sure we, and their team, was in the loop at every juncture. Not realizing how quickly he would deteriorate, we were assured by Glynis that they supported our decision as to the timing. We (selfishly) worried that we may be cutting his life short too quickly. We never felt judged. Regardless of the time of my emails either Glynis or one of the doctors responded timely.
When the day came I thought my heart would break but we realized that Harley was no longer able to enjoy being himself. I had read all the materials provided on their website about the process so I was prepared. We gave Harley the best early morning possible. Dr. Kimberly arrived promptly at 10 AM.
My husband went outside and signed the paperwork and took care of the bill for the services we had chosen. When they came back in Harley was laying at my feet but when he saw Dr. Kimberly he got up and went over to greet her. He laid down, and to my shock, she laid right down beside him on the floor, petting him and talking to him in a calm reassuring voice. She reviewed the process with us and I expressed that I did not want him to feel anything that would cause him pain or anxiety. I knew from her explanation that she would sedate him before proceeding with the euthanizing.
My husband and I moved to sit down on the floor next to him and when we were ready Dr. Kimberly told us the type of meds she would use to make sure that he would not be in any pain and that he would probably feel better than he had in the past few weeks. She administered the sedation. It was a very quick injection into the shoulder area which he did not even seem to feel. She told us it would take about five minutes for him to get into a restful state and that she would leave the room and give us time to love on him. It took about six minutes but then Harley started snoring.
At that point I was very confident that he was completely comfortable. The next step would be the IV insertion and then the administration of the drug that would help him cross over the rainbow bridge. We were allowed to stay by Harley and pet on him and talk to him through his last breath. Dr. Kimberly was very gentle and caring, and although I had cried pretty much from the time of her arrival, and my husband shed tears too; she never made us feel hurried or uncomfortable with our display of emotion.
It’s been 2 weeks and a day. We are still devastated and missing him like crazy as is our other fur baby. I’m sure in time I will be able to keep my emotions in check and when I think about him and the joy he brought to us perhaps I will even find a smile. If we ever have to euthanize another pet we will come back to Compassionate Pet Vet for they truly are exactly that.
Euthanasia at home, just like Hospice, is definitely the most respectful way to let a family member leave this earth.
Thank you all so much for everything!!
