Thanks so much to the Herald for the recent article on the tender topic of pet loss (“
Growing up, I didn’t have pets. I adopted my first dog from the La Plate County Humane Society in 2003 and was blessed to have her for 15 years until she fell ill. I had to make the compassionate decision to euthanize her last January. Two years prior, my husband and I had to make the decision to euthanize our other beloved senior dog, who’d been in my life for eight years.
Both days I remember vividly as amongst the most gut-wrenchingly painful and sad ones of my life. And while I’ve grieved these losses and moved forward, these animals will always have a special place in my heart.
Losing a beloved pet, such important members of our family, is a loss that hurt my heart like none other I’ve experienced. And yet I couldn’t agree more with Tender Heart Pet Hospice vet Katie Bosco when she said, “In the end, this is the last gift you can give your pet.”
I was traveling with my 15-year-old dog when she crashed and by grace happened to easily connect with a wonderful pet hospice in Denver that came out that same day to end my sweet girl’s suffering. I believe our pets let us know when it’s time. And having a trusted vet to consult, if you’re not sure, is a blessing.
We are fortunate to have Tender Heart Pet Hospice in Durango.
Mindy MeieringDurango
