Pet Euthanasia ...what can you say?!??

Putting them to sleep...Pet Euthanasia...putting them down...anyway you say it, it can be a trying experience to say the least.
Recently I had the experience of watching my partner Cameron go through the ordeal of having to put his cat "Sandy" down.
One of the many, many questions people have to ask themselves before getting a pet of any kind is "Can I afford to care for this animal if they get hurt, ill or chronically sick?" or "What is my limit financially as to what I can realistically afford to pay to a Vet in the case of a problem with the animal?"
The first question is a simple one as any person who may be thinking of getting an animal should have some resources to care for an animal in case of emergency. There should be no question about it actually. If you have no money "in case" then you simply cannot....CANNOT afford to have an animal in your care.
It is only fair to the animal as harsh as it may seem to hear or read especially in this day of interbred dogs and poor backyard breeders that propagate sooo many dogs that almost immediately need some vet care.
These are not simple bills either.
Just walking into a Vet's office can cost you several hundred dollars for a minor checkup.
The second question is a very different one as situations change during the course of someone's life and a person's ability to pay for Vet care can change.
I am one who thinks that there should definitely be a set amount of money that one should be prepared to spend and not be swayed in the moment of stress and grief to go way beyond their means to sustain an animals life ...especially if it means the animal may not be in good health or life a compromised existence simply to passify an owner.
I know of a few people who have paid thousands and tens of thousands of dollars to help animals that were so far gone and sick that they are still paying for it years after the animal has passed.
I will undoubtedly hear from people who say "I'll pay anything for my baby...there should be no limit to save an animal"
ummmmm wrong. There is a limit when you don't have it. People should not lose their homes over the bills incurred from pet healthcare. Any smart owner should know this and I will go on record to say that MY limit is probably more than 90% of people out there but there is still a limit. 'nuf said.
Cameron did have a limit and unfortunately he did go past it in the efforts to find out that his cat did have cancer in several places in her body which was making it very uncomfortable and almost impossible to pass food and get any kind of nutrition.
This poor cat lost so much weight so very fast it was obvious she was pretty sick however Cam had a 'limit" and had her tested to find out what was wrong in the event that she could be helped.
This was not to be the case however and it was decided that after 14 years living a very healthy life she was now living a painful life and it was time to be a good owner and do the right thing.

Cam decided that it would be best to have his cat put down at home and not in a sterile environment like the Vet's office so he contacted a local Vet Dr. Joseph Martinez who was available to come to the apartment to administer the Euthenasia.
It is with utmost respect when I say that I would recommend this person in the event one needs to have an animal "put down".
Joseph was very respectful and careful in his instruction on how the procedure would progress. He allayed fears and was aware that some people would need to grieve in private and allowed a simple process to happen without fuss or stress to the animal and the owner alike.
Sandy was administered her meds and fell asleep without any unforseen circumstances...she was finally without pain and hunger and allowed to be peaceful. After a short time alone with his cat Cam allowed Joseph to take her away in her travel box to be cremated.
Today, her ashes were brought back into the store in a lovely little urn urn accompanied with a lovely card and poem.
The process could have been much, much more painful and it is with thanks that we pass on his contact information at http://www.untilwemeetagain.ca/
or you can email him at greencrossvet@yahoo.ca
Should you find that you are considering the options on your pet's healthcare I offer a simple test to ask yourself.
Ask yourself: What would be in the best interest of everyone concerned..pet and owner. If you ask the question with only one being being considered (the owner or the pet) then the other one always suffers.
All the best!!!!
WOOF!