Last October 23, 2018 we had to make the decision to set our 15 year old dog, Maggie, free from her pain. It was a decision we went back and forth on for over 6 months because she would have good days and we would think she was doing okay. It was when the bad days started to come more often then her good days. She didn’t roll in the grass when she first went outside anymore. She stopped playing with her toys and greeting us at the door. That is when we knew she wasn’t living her best life anymore. She wasn’t being Maggie and doing all the things she loved to do.
With Maggie being a larger dog, and she had trouble getting into the car at the end, I chose to have a Animal Hospice come to the house. It was the most peaceful way to say goodbye to her. I would do it again in a heart beat for my other animals. She had no fear and anxiety that the vet office brings. If you can afford it, I would recommend it. They made it so much easier on my heart and a lot less stressful for hers.
It was HARD. Anyone that has had to make this type of decision knows. She was our first dog as a married couple. She was our baby before we had human babies! She was my comfort when my husband was deployed or away for many trainings. She let me cry so many tears into her soft black coat when I felt alone and scared. She listened, gave me unconditional love and was by myside through welcoming three kids into this world. She watched after them, slept by them, gave them kisses and loved the heck out of them. All of that love and joyful memories I wanted to cherish. I searched the internet for ways to remember our animals. Here are seven things we did that I wanted to share for whenever you have to set your beloved pet free from their pain.
1. A stuffed animal look alike
A year prior to saying goodbye to Maggie she had vestibular disease. It was scary and we actually called the Hospice vet thinking she was dying, her symptoms were so bad. We were shocked she could return to her old self in two weeks. Due to that scare we had a friend share how getting a look alike stuffed animal helped their child. So each kid got a Maggie dog. That Christmas, Santa gave them each a small red collar with a heart tag that said Maggie for their dogs. They sleep with her every night and hug her when they are missing Maggie. I would recommend this for anyone who has children. We also got individual pictures of them with their Maggie dog and Maggie. I framed them and they have it in their rooms.
2. BOOKS
1. Books to read if you have children that are going through the grieving and wanting to understand more. One was given to me by the Hospice Vet and another was dropped off by a close friend of mine. 🙂 They both were helpful. I put my Amazon affiliate links if you are interested in reading more about the details of the book or purchasing one. Any purchase through these links gives back to this website so I thank you.
3. PAW PAINTING
A painting with her paw prints. This is something you will need to plan out beforehand. I had a plain white canvas (11×14) and the color paint and a paint brush near by. After she passed, the vet shaved her hair between her paw pads and we gently painted and pressed her paw prints on the canvas. I then had a close friend of mine and artist, Sarah Snodgrass, paint the stems and make the paw prints come to life as flowers! It is a piece I see everyday and smile!!
4. A Christmas Ornament
This is something the Hospice Vet did for me as a customer. She had a clay kit and took her paw print and used cute letter cubes to spell Maggie’s name. I got red ribbon to hang it on our tree at Christmas in memory of her. 🙂
5. A Photo Book
I love pictures and took over 1000 pictures of Maggie during her 14 years with us. She was a rescue so the first year was not captured. It took me over a year after her passing to make the book but I am so happy I did. I sorted out the pictures and 300 made it into my Shutterfly Book! A great way to sit down and remember all the memories and joy she brought us when a moment of sadness comes over me. She is missed daily.
6. A Willow Tree Angel of Comfort
The special saying inside was, ”Offering an embrace of comfort and love”. This was a gift from a close family friend. It sits on top of Maggie’s ashes box. It was such a special surprise in the mail and the meaning behind the angel holding the puppy is so comforting.
7. Dog Bowl Flower Pot
I have not completed this yet but plan to plant the Forget-Me-Nots in the spring. I tried wrapping her collar around her bowl but the bowl is too big. I decided to wrap around her leash and like the way it turned out. The Hospice place gave me a pretty engraved tag with her name on it that I attached to the leash. I feel this will be so pretty once I get the flowers growing in it! A great way to reuse and have a memory attached. 🙂
I hope some of these ideas bring you comfort and allow you a way to capture the joy your animal brought to you and your family during their time on earth. Know that even though you will miss them, it is important to not let them suffer. You will feel it when the time is close. The Hospice Vet sent me this in a sweet card a week after her passing. I wanted to share it here with you as well. Hugs!
To stressing less and playing more,
Melissa 🙂
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