Our pets are our furry family members, and unfortunately for us, their time on this Earth is destined to be much shorter than our lives. This is why we understand the inevitable will happen in our lifetime. So what will I do when the time comes? This is one question I have gotten that is so important. My pet is growing older, so how will I deal with the inevitable?
Meet my niece Sushi!
If you are like me and have furry family members who are getting older, I know you can relate. Or perhaps you have already been down this road before and know all too well the devastating heartbreak that comes with pet loss.
Well, I’m here to try to help you with tips that have helped me in the process. But first, did I ever introduce you to my niece?
Say hello to Sushi! She’s my sister’s cat and my niece. She is about 10 years old. Boy oh boy, she’s quite the definition of a scaredy cat indeed. She’s quite adorable and a chunky monkey. However, as she’s gotten older, she’s learning to mellow out a little bit, which I’m happy about. I don’t get to see her often but when I do, it’s always an interesting experience.
Truth be told, it’s come to my attention that over the past several months she’s lost a few pounds. Although that should be a good thing (because she’s overweight) it also sparks the conversation about the health of our pets.
Sushi get’s her physical check-up annually and will have her next check-up before the year is over. So fingers crossed all will be just fine.
However, when it comes to seeing changes in your pet’s weight or behavior, you can’t help but wonder, “What if…?”
My pet is growing older. How will I cope?
A while back, I tackled this very question when I wrote an in-depth guest post for a wonderful blog called Caring for a Senior Dog dot com.
Prepare for the inevitable.
In the post I explain how we need to change our mindset at the start before we even see anything is wrong with our pets that need to be addressed. Remember to cherish every moment while they are living. Document everything.
When the illness is terminal
When the time comes when there is a bigger issue that needs addressing, don’t hesitate to explore all your options. Focus on quality of life over a quantity of days or weeks. We want the best for our pets.
Final days
Lastly, when it comes to the final transition, know you actually have options. I wish I knew this myself when going through the transition period with Dusty.
Dealing with grief
Grieving takes time but also is different for everyone. No one person will grieve the same as another. And above all, know that your pets’ journey of love with you doesn’t end but only transforms, for love is eternal.
My guest post is a must-read for anyone grappling with this question in the back of their mind. You can read the full post here.
However, I also answered this question in a short video post as well. You can view it below.
If you are short on time, skip to the 3 min 25 sec minute mark for my answer.
Conclusion
We adore our pets because they are family. However, knowing that our pets have borrowed time with us is bittersweet. If you ask yourself, “My pet is growing older. How will I cope?” Know you will find a way to grapple with this in time, and you will get through it. The best thing you can do is take steps to be prepared as best you can.
What does that look like? Educate yourself about options. Learn to prepare for final expenses. Lastly, remember to enjoy quality time with your pets, including documenting it all.
I hope this post helps to ease the burden of the inevitable at least a little bit. Don’t forget to check out my guest post, where I go much more in-depth to answer these questions step by step.
Share your thoughts. Have you dealt with pet loss before? What was the most valuable lesson you learned from the experience?
Leave a comment below.
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