If you own a
pet who is going to die -- and who isn't? -- you'll want to read Preparing
for the Loss of Your Pet by Myrna Milani. It's not a book for
those in the midst of grieving but for every animal owner who will
grieve at some time in the future.
Loss is an inevitable consequence of the human-animal bond. Dr Milani
looks at the three situations under which animal companions leave us --
death, getting lost, and being given up -- and how people of different
ages and circumstances cope with each. She offers advice to ease the
journey to acceptance. In addition to discussing the grieving process,
she also talks about the additional guilt feelings associated with
giving up or euthanizing an animal due to behaviour problems.
Particularly good is the chapter on children. Every parent should read
how children at different stages of development relate to loss and to
what extent they can be involved in the euthanasia of a beloved animal.
(Interestingly, it's teenagers who often take the death of a pet the
hardest.)
Milani emphasizes being ready when the final goodbye comes. That means
knowing your personal beliefs and feelings about disease treatment,
infirmities and euthanasia before you have to deal with them. It means
realizing that losing or giving up a pet can be just as devastating as
euthanizing him or her, and thus recognizing the need to take
precautions to prevent loss and to deal with behaviour problems.
As the blurb on the back cover says, this is "an important book for
every pet owner."
.
Chapter
Titles
The Final Journey:
Natural Death and Euthanasia
Somewhere over the Rainbow: Pet Loss from Causes Other Than Death
A Bolt Out of the Blue: Pet Loss as a Result of Acute Problems
The Long Goodbye: Pet Loss as a Result of Old Age and/or Chronic
Problems
Guilt Plus Five: Pet Loss and the Healing Process
The Feminine Touch: Pet Loss and Human Nurturing
The Masculine Reserve: Pet Loss and Loss Logic
The Loss of Innocence: Children and Pet Loss
A Fond Farewell: Loss-Proofing Your Relationship with Your Pet
