Why You Should Treat Your Parents Like Your Pets: Death, Dying, And Dignity In America

Otis was our first baby. He was covered in a caramel-colored fur, weighed 150 pounds and was the best Bullmastiff dog anyone could ask for. He protected me from my husband's incessant tickle attacks and thought that my lap was the best place for him to try and sit. Two years ago, I was walking Otis and he suddenly collapsed. After an extensive workup including an EKG, blood work and an ultrasound of his heart by the doggie Cardiologist (yes, they do exist), we started him on a new regimen of medications for his heart failure. It cost $300 a month but was worth every penny -- almost overnight he was a new dog, back to his usual daily routine and enjoying all the activities he loved most in the world. About a year later though, he started declining again. His favorite spot to sleep was on the floor, right next to my side of the bed. But our bedroom was upstairs, and he just couldn't make it anymore. He had to sleep by himself. He couldn't go on walks. He slowly but surely began to get left out of family activities, and for a dog who was as much a part of our family as a pet could be, this was life-altering. He couldn't participate in any activity which had previously given him joy. He was becoming more and more isolated, becoming physically separated from the people he loved most in the world. That's when I knew -- it was time to say goodbye. It still hurts, but I know it was the most unselfish and loving thing I could do -- focus on him, his wants and his needs, instead of ...
Source: Healthy Living - The Huffington Post - Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news