Webster's Dictionary defines euthanasia as the act or method of causing death painlessly so as to end suffering. Many of us have had to make the decision to end our pet's life in order to prevent it from suffering needlessly. Such a decision is always difficult and involves both facts and feelings. It is particularly challenging to separate emotions from facts in making this painful choice. Some of the important factors in making the decision to euthanize a pet include the pet's medical condition, feelings about the pet, family members' relationship with the pet, and personal beliefs or values about euthanasia. Certainly when considering the complex issue of human euthanasia, such as with a terminally ill family member, strong and varying feelings and opinions emerge. Much of the same feelings and beliefs are intertwined with pet euthanasia. However, as the owner of the pet, you have made all the choices regarding your animal's welfare, including when it may be necessary to terminate its life. Obviously, intense feelings such as guilt, sadness, loss, and anger are common when having to make this decision. And while it is important to let yourself have these feelings, it is essential to allow your pet's medical condition to be the guiding force. There are a number of fact-oriented questions to ask your veterinarian in helping you make this decision. These include the following: How much pain will your animal endure for the remainder of its life? How long will your pet survive with its current condition? What can be done to manage your pet's pain if you choose not to euthanize? What are potential treatment options for prolonging life, and what are the predicted positive and negative consequences of those treatments? How will pain management treatment affect the quality of your pet's life? What are the costs of either pain-management treatments or potentially life-prolonging treatments? What limitations does or will your pet have, to which she or he is not accustomed? There are also important questions for you to answer yourself. These include the following: How able is your pet in taking care of basic functions, such as moving, eating, and going to the bathroom? If your pet is unable to take care of these functions, how willing are you to provide these functions for him or her, and for how long? What is the reality of your or your family's financial situation, balanced against the odds of the level of pain reduction and successful treatment, or prolonged life with successful treatment? It is common for most people going through the serious illness of their pet and consideration of euthanasia to feel confused and overwhelmed by the decision. Frequently, anger at your pet's veterinarian, family members, friends, the pet itself, and even God can emerge. Intense sadness is usual, and there can often be significant fear. Because of these feelings, thinking is usually unclear during this time. It is important to talk to the family members involved so that each member gets a chance to express him- or herself and prepare for the loss. Discussion can also lead to greater clarity and helps in working through some of the guilt and anger. Even small children should be kept informed, since they will certainly notice the loss of the pet. The child may not like or agree with the family's decision, but this will not amount to the trauma that can result from leaving a child unprepared or surprised at the disappearance of a close family member. Like so many things in life, preparation for the euthanasia will go a long way in cushioning the blow for everyone. It may be helpful to have the veterinarian explain to everyone involved what to expect. Making the choice of whether or not to be present during your pet's euthanasia is challenging, to say the least. In my experience providing pet loss and grief counseling, those who choose to attend usually view it as a mixed blessing. On the one hand, the intense emotions associated with watching a close family member pass away can be overwhelming. On the other hand, it will provide you with a sense of closure, much like a viewing or an open casket wake helps us cope with the reality of death in humans. Some people describe being present as too much for them, while others describe it as peaceful. Regardless, if you choose to be present, understand this up-front: the image or picture of your pet passing away will likely be etched in your memory forever. Whether you consider this positive or negative is up to you. The decision to euthanize your pet will be the beginning of your process in grieving the loss. I refer you to previous Pet Tribune articles regarding pet loss and talking to children about it, which provide more specific information on what to expect. Nevertheless, choosing to euthanize a pet often leads to substantial guilt, and many people question whether or not it was the right thing to do, or if it was the right time. Such feelings are the result of a natural wish to feel in control, but a consequence of that wish is feeling responsible for events that cause pain. The obvious truth is that pets live shorter lives than us, and we are likely to see the end of their lives before the end of our own. This is easy to understand intellectually, but sometimes hard to bear emotionally. So when the day comes to make the decision to euthanize your pet, be gentle not only with him or her but with yourself as well. Engage in behaviors that you find comforting and nurturing. In the meantime, use the knowledge that your pet's time is likely more limited than your own to appreciate and experience the uniqueness of the relationship you have with it. -Dr. Matt Zimmerman is a licensed psychologist in private practice at Feiner & Associates, located at 2291 N. University Drive, Pembroke Pines, Fla. He provides grief counseling and pet euthanasia counseling on an individual basis. Dr. Zimmerman also has training in the treatment of eating issues and body images concern. He can be reached at (954) 962-3855.

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