1. Euthanasia and Grief Office Management

2. Making a hard decision If a dog is dying, the dog does not know that. If a dog is dying, the dog does not know that. Should do what can with time given. Should do what can with time given. The pain of grief and the costs in money and energy make up the price we pay for the love of our dogs. It is a bargain, but it is a high price. The pain of grief and the costs in money and energy make up the price we pay for the love of our dogs. It is a bargain, but it is a high price.

3. When a person has had to make the agonizing choice to put a dog to sleep, the most healing words you could say are “You did the right thing.” Don’t say it if you don’t believe it. But if you do believe it, those words will help. When a person has had to make the agonizing choice to put a dog to sleep, the most healing words you could say are “You did the right thing.” Don’t say it if you don’t believe it. But if you do believe it, those words will help.

4. Our dogs love us with their whole selves. One who loves us wants the best for us, and your dog would want you to heal from grief and be able to fully love again. In a mysterious way, you can even love more deeply for knowing the cost—and the value—of love. People often find their love for the departed one continues to grow. Our dogs love us with their whole selves. One who loves us wants the best for us, and your dog would want you to heal from grief and be able to fully love again. In a mysterious way, you can even love more deeply for knowing the cost—and the value—of love. People often find their love for the departed one continues to grow.

5. Love is infinite and powerful. You don’t run out of love like a bucket becoming empty. The more you love, the better you get at loving—it’s like a muscle that grows stronger with good use. Your relationship with your next dog can be even better, if you will let it. Everything you learned from loving the dog who has left you can bless your next dog. Love is infinite and powerful. You don’t run out of love like a bucket becoming empty. The more you love, the better you get at loving—it’s like a muscle that grows stronger with good use. Your relationship with your next dog can be even better, if you will let it. Everything you learned from loving the dog who has left you can bless your next dog.

6. Some people are ready for another dog right after a loss, but many need some time to grieve Some people are ready for another dog right after a loss, but many need some time to grieve

7. Be good to yourself during grief and do the same for anyone around you who is going through it. Don’t say “I know how you feel”—you can never know just how someone else feels. You might say something like “I can only imagine how you must feel.” Be good to yourself during grief and do the same for anyone around you who is going through it. Don’t say “I know how you feel”—you can never know just how someone else feels. You might say something like “I can only imagine how you must feel.”

8. Most of all, just be there and let the person express feelings, including tears. Tears are the work of grieving. Take time to do that work for your own grief. You can come through grief with a greater joy in life and a greater appreciation of love. That is a gift your dog would want to give you. Most of all, just be there and let the person express feelings, including tears. Tears are the work of grieving. Take time to do that work for your own grief. You can come through grief with a greater joy in life and a greater appreciation of love. That is a gift your dog would want to give you.

9. Stages of Grief Denial and Isolation Denial and Isolation Anger Anger Bargaining Bargaining Depression Depression Acceptance Acceptance

10. Denial and Isolation At first, we tend to deny the loss has taken place, and may withdraw from our usual social contacts. This stage may last a few moments, or longer. At first, we tend to deny the loss has taken place, and may withdraw from our usual social contacts. This stage may last a few moments, or longer.

11. Anger The grieving person may then be furious at the person who inflicted the hurt (even if she's dead), or at the world, for letting it happen. He may be angry with himself for letting the event take place, even if, realistically, nothing could have stopped it. The grieving person may then be furious at the person who inflicted the hurt (even if she's dead), or at the world, for letting it happen. He may be angry with himself for letting the event take place, even if, realistically, nothing could have stopped it.

12. Bargaining Now the grieving person may make bargains with God, asking, "If I do this, will you take away the loss?" Now the grieving person may make bargains with God, asking, "If I do this, will you take away the loss?"

13. Depression The person feels numb, although anger and sadness may remain underneath. The person feels numb, although anger and sadness may remain underneath.

14. Acceptance This is when the anger, sadness and mourning have tapered off. The person simply accepts the reality of the loss. This is when the anger, sadness and mourning have tapered off. The person simply accepts the reality of the loss.

15. Grief and Stress During grief, it is common to have many conflicting feelings. Sorrow, anger, loneliness, sadness, shame, anxiety, and guilt often accompany serious losses. Having so many strong feelings can be very stressful. During grief, it is common to have many conflicting feelings. Sorrow, anger, loneliness, sadness, shame, anxiety, and guilt often accompany serious losses. Having so many strong feelings can be very stressful.

16. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D85yrI gA4Nk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D85yrI gA4Nk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D85yrI gA4Nk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D85yrI gA4Nk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2MBR TboDwg&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2MBR TboDwg&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2MBR TboDwg&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2MBR TboDwg&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Mwcz IboYY8&NR=1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Mwcz IboYY8&NR=1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Mwcz IboYY8&NR=1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Mwcz IboYY8&NR=1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sayzCv wvRfk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sayzCv wvRfk

17. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZIQU b-d4GQ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZIQU b-d4GQ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZIQU b-d4GQ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZIQU b-d4GQ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjWtR YaxmWM&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjWtR YaxmWM&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0G_Z uBGD-0&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0G_Z uBGD-0&feature=related