Each one of us as pet owners will be faced with the loss of our companion. It is not unusual for our personal views regarding our own mortality to become involved in the decisions we make for our pets.
Some owners are unable to let go of their animal companions and cling to every last shred of hope.
These people need confident direction and understanding to allow their pets to die with peace and dignity. I have long ago realized, it is my place to let these owners know it is time to stop hoping and allow their friend to pass on peacefully. We need to take care of them in their dying. Because of the shorter life span of animals, I will outlive most of my patients. This is very different from human medical practitioners who still insist of treating death as a disease, rarely seeing a patient's life cycle in its entirety.