Sharing your life with anyone — human or creature — forms a deep connection and special bond. The bonds between humans and animal companions are often much deeper because of the animal’s offering of unconditional love. Preparing for the eventuality of your animal companion’s death is an important part of sharing your life with a companion animal.
Terminal Illness
When an animal has a terminal illness it is easy for individuals to panic and rush to medicate, perform numerous tests and surgeries to try to save or prolong an animal companion’s life. Each individual must make decisions regarding their animal companion’s care based on their own belief system. It is important to remember animals in the wild would often leave the main herd or group and go to a quiet, isolated place to die. Rather than subjecting your animal to a battery of tests, medical procedures and medications at the end of its life, consider letting go of your animal companion and providing a peaceful space for the animal to die.
Preparing For Death
Knowing an animal is dying is a difficult thing to prepare for. Use the time to lavish kindness and consideration on your faithful friend. Try to keep emotional turmoil to a minimum around the animal companion and provide an atmosphere of calm, quiet and peacefulness.
...be sure that you are not prolonging your animal friend’s suffering because of your own fear of letting go.
When an animal is terminally ill, individuals often choose two courses of action. Euthanasia is widely accepted as a humane end to animal suffering. Choose your veterinarian carefully for this approach as not all veterinarians are created equally. Some veterinarians can be indifferent to the deep connection a human shares with their animal companion or rush the family during the passing. It is important to think about whether you want to have the animal put to sleep at home or in the veterinary office. Most veterinarians are willing to make a house call. House calls are often much less stressful for the animal.
Natural Death
A natural death is another option. If the animal appears to not be suffering, and a veterinarian concurs, an animal can have a peaceful and gentle passing at home. However People For The Ethical Treatment of Animals advises, “…be sure that you are not prolonging your animal friend’s suffering because of your own fear of letting go. The tendency is to wait too long, at the expense of the animal you love”.
A natural death will involve considerably more time and effort. Animals may need to be helped outside to void, handfed or given water by dropper. Dr. Pitcairn, author of the best-selling Natural Health For Dogs & Cats explains that a home-based death will be more familiar, comfortable and create less anxiety for the creature. A gentle home passing when the animal is surrounded by loved ones is a beautiful good-bye for your animal friend.
Some cultures recommend not moving the body for 2-3 days to allow the animal spirit to slowly leave the body. Place blankets with a concealed biodegradable plastic layer under the animal. Once the animal has passed away, cover the body with a blanket and close the curtains against direct sunlight. Place flowers and scented organic oils on the body and light candles for remembrance.
Grieving
Grief councilors believe animal deaths can be even more traumatic than human loss due to the totality of the human/animal bond. Animal companion grief can be problematic since people are often not granted the same support and comfort as individuals mourning human loss. Most work places will not recognize an animal companion’s death as a legitimate form of grief. The “unacceptability” of grief over an animal companion’s passing can result in feelings of shame or embarrassment at the depth of the emotion.
Burial & Cremation
Dog burial dates back more than 14,000 years. National Geographic News reports the oldest example of a buried cat was found in Cyprus, dating back 9,500 years. Today North American pet owners have a number of options for laying their animal companion to rest. Pet cremation, pet cemeteries and home burials are all possible options for. Pet cremation can cost between $100-$400 dollars and will emit carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Pet burial can cost between $250-$850 depending on the cemetery. Caskets, burial shrouds and memorial markers are usually extra. It is important to choose a natural cemetery that is pesticide and fertilizer free, and utilize a biodegradable casket or urn to lay your animal companion to rest.
Home burial, depending on local laws, can be an intimate green option that keeps your beloved pet near to home. Dig a deep hole, in an appropriate location away from wells and other water or food sources. Wrap your animal companion in organic cotton sheets and dig a deep grave (minimum of 2-3 feet) to avoid disruptions from scavenging animals. Fill the grave site with flower seeds and bulbs. Once the burial is complete, consider planting a memorial tree as a natural way to remember your animal companion. Tree Canada reports 3 mature trees will offset one ton of carbon dioxide in their lifetime.
Resources
Tree Canada: http://www.treecanada.ca/
Green Burials: http://www.greenburials.org/
Memory Woods: http://www.memorywoods.com/
Green Pages
Dr. Pitcairn's New Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats by Richard and Susan Pitcairn is one of the best books on the market for living with animal companions. Everything from bringing a new animal home to dealing with grief when a companion passes away is included in this definitive guide to natural animal care: http://www.drpitcairn.com/
Daisy Coffins in the UK offers simple biodegradable coffins made from water hyacinth and banana leaf. Urns are handmade from wood or biodegradable plant matter. Available anywhere in the UK within 24 hours: http://www.daisycoffins.com/
Canine Lullabies: Heartbeat Music Therapy will calm your anxious animal companion with the soothing sounds of a heartbeat and gentle singing: http://www.caninelullabies.com/
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