When my beloved Troy was near
the end of his life after a long battle with terminal stomach cancer four years ago, the last thing I could imagine doing was making him suffer through one more dreaded trip to the vet in his cat carrier. Troy and been in and out of the hospital several times leading up to the end, and I still tear up when I remember the time I picked him up after an extended stay at the Animal Medical Center on the Upper East Side and instead of riding in the taxi howling in terror as he always had -- he HATED cars -- he crawled out of his cage and laid limp with his head on my chest purring as he stared into my eyes. ("I thought I'd never see you again" his little face seemed to be saying. My heart nearly broke in two.) So when the day came when I realized Troy had to be put down, I was determined to have it done in Troy's home, so he could die peacefully and unafraid, and surrounded by the people and things he loved. (Michael, me and his stuffed Woodstock.) Come to find out yesterday I'm not the only one who felt this way. An article in The Washington Post by Steve Hendrix
reports that in-home pet euthanasia is rapidly on the rise, with vets who perform the service finding no shortage of patients willing to pay the premium for a house call (usually double the fee for having it done in the office). Four years ago I was sort of embarrassed to talk about this topic -- and how I insisted that Michael take one more photo of me with my baby -- but hearing how much comfort it has brought others in the same situation, I'm not only still glad I did it, I want to recommend it to anyone else whose pet dreaded going to the vet as much as Troy did. The doctor and his assistant were as thoughtful and caring as any funeral directors I've ever encountered, and when I think of that sad day, I think mostly about how happy I am Troy died in his favorite spot on my bed. I miss that little critter. (Read Steve Hendrix's article
HERE.)
They don't make 'em any sweeter than this big boy
When my beloved Troy was near the end of his life after a long battle with terminal stomach cancer four years ago, the last thing I could imagine doing was making him suffer through one more dreaded trip to the vet in his cat carrier. Troy and been in and out of the hospital several times leading up to the end, and I still tear up when I remember the time I picked him up after an extended stay at the Animal Medical Center on the Upper East Side and instead of riding in the taxi howling in terror as he always had -- he HATED cars -- he crawled out of his cage and laid limp with his head on my chest purring as he stared into my eyes. ("I thought I'd never see you again" his little face seemed to be saying. My heart nearly broke in two.) So when the day came when I realized Troy had to be put down, I was determined to have it done in Troy's home, so he could die peacefully and unafraid, and surrounded by the people and things he loved. (Michael, me and his stuffed Woodstock.) Come to find out yesterday I'm not the only one who felt this way. An article in The Washington Post by Steve Hendrix reports that in-home pet euthanasia is rapidly on the rise, with vets who perform the service finding no shortage of patients willing to pay the premium for a house call (usually double the fee for having it done in the office). Four years ago I was sort of embarrassed to talk about this topic -- and how I insisted that Michael take one more photo of me with my baby -- but hearing how much comfort it has brought others in the same situation, I'm not only still glad I did it, I want to recommend it to anyone else whose pet dreaded going to the vet as much as Troy did. The doctor and his assistant were as thoughtful and caring as any funeral directors I've ever encountered, and when I think of that sad day, I think mostly about how happy I am Troy died in his favorite spot on my bed. I miss that little critter. (Read Steve Hendrix's article HERE.)
They don't make 'em any sweeter than this big boy
20 comments:
Kenneth
I understand your pain, I have been there. A pet can loved as much if not more then a child to many. While I was not lucky enough to be able to have Carmel put to sleep at home, I did bring him home after and laid him in his favorite spot. This allowed his brother say good bye. Yes, animals to have feelings too
If in-home euth is available and you can even almost afford it, it is some of the best money you will ever spend. Avoiding that last long ride to the vet, especially for an animal who was as terrified of riding in a carrier in a car as mine was, was an enormous blessing.
Loved this post! I have made 3 such trips to the vet, the next dreaded time will be at home. Thanks.
Oh great, now you have me crying at work! Heart-breaking photo.
I'm deeply sorry for your loss. Sending you infinite X's and O's.
I love my Pookey, he has been with us for almost 12 years. I can read him better then most people. My heart will break when his time comes.
Wow, thanks for sharing! YOu just made me cry all over again. We loss our dog on the 4th of July, there hasn't been a day that we don't think about him. We now have another rescue, she is as amazing as her brother. Can't even think about losing her.
Thx,
Seb
It KILLS me to see you in tears like this!
I had a vet scheduled to come out to euthanize my dog at home a few years ago, but Brandy passed away on her own the night before. I was thrilled when my regular vet made the suggestion, because Brandy wouldn't subjected to the trauma of a final trip to a place she hated.
That picture's heartbreaking. So sorry for your loss.
Great story..and here I am crying like a baby.. I had to put my 16yr old cat down this past june 30th.. I have both my boys on my dresser next to my bed..the pain never goes away but it does get easier.. the next day I went out and adopted a kitten..saved his little life.
God Bless you Ken, sharing such intimate, personal stories of love and loss when it comes to our pets, those officially adopted members of our families. I lost my little dauschund this May, My vet was an angel and we were able to leave in dignity. If I ever have to go through this again, I will look for in home euthanasia.
Losing a pet is never easy, Kenneth - I've lost a dog and two cats in my lifetime and I cried more for them than I have for people. Unconditional love, my blogger friend - nothing like it!
we put our love amanda down 2 weeks ago at home. she was surrounded by all her fav things and our fav pictures of her. it was beautiful thing. the mobile vet couldn't have been more compassionate and kind.
I guess I've been lucky over the years. none of my pets had problems or fears with car rides and vet visits. i was extra fortunate too, when my Eleanor passed during the night before i was to take her in. even though one knows ones cat or dog may only be around 14 or 15 years at best, it still doesn't make it any easier when their time comes. i feel for you and your loss.
Ian in PHX.
Kenneth - Thank you for sharing this, even though it took me several attempts to read the whole post. I couldn't read the text through my tears. I too lost my best friend to cancer and like you, Roenick and I were able to spend his last few moments in the comfort of our home. Seeing the picture that you so graciously shared reminded me how raw his loss remains. Thank you.
Jimbo!
Kenneth,
We met briefly on the LIRR platform at the U.S. Open. I love your blog, and you seem sorta like a kindred spirit. Our attitudes are pretty much in synch on tennis, gay culture, etc. (The only exception seems to be Madge, whom I adore.) This post about your having to put your cat down really struck home. I had to put my great cat down this summer, and I still can't quite believe he's gone. Thanks for your blog. Randy
We lost both of our dogs due to old age within 6 weeks of each other. The first was outside the vet's office on a beautiful day. The second was in the vet's office. I hate to think of those experiences, but it's one of the things you sign up for when you bring a loving pet into your life - to help them exit peacefully when it's time.
Your picture is heartbreaking. I couldn't stand the thought of taking a picture on those days or trying to remember them on their last days.
I still miss them - Woody was 15 and Tinker was a few months shy of 15. I'm so thankful they lived long, happy lives.
The most touching post in all of the years I've read your blog. Thanks for sharing.
I lost my big fella in January last year. I had to drive him to the vet in a blinding blizzard. He was sick but I thought they'd fix him up and I'd be taking him home. He was too sick and I spent hours with him in the waiting room before I made the decision. I regret that I didn't have the opportunity to let him pass at home with his sister near. She's sick with liver cancer now and I plan on having her euthanized at home when it's time
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