It's never easy to make the decision to euthanize a pet, especially one that has been part of the family for years or one with whom you've had an extremely close bond. It can be difficult to watch your dog or cat age, and know that one day soon you'll have to make the heart-wrenching decision to drive to the vet for the last car ride you'll ever take together.
The questions can be excruciating. "When? How will I know? Is it too soon? Is there more time? Am I prolonging the pain and suffering because I love this animal so much I can't let go?" I've been asked these questions many times. And I have had to answer them for myself and my own pets.
This article appears in Feb 24 – Mar 2, 2010.