Category Archives: Euthanasia

Forty dogs spent 17 hours inside a trailer on the road to get to the Humane Society of Delaware County Thursday night. (WSYX/WTTE)

Forty dogs spent 17 hours inside a trailer on the road to get to the Humane Society of Delaware County Thursday night.

They were all saved from getting euthanized in Houston. The dogs were at shelters in Houston that are overcrowded everyday. The Humane Society of Delaware County is always getting requests for puppies, but many times there aren't enough to go around.

The project started about one month ago when the dog intake coordinator at the Humane Society of Delaware County noticed there was a need in Houston. Natalie Yeager said she used to work at an animal shelter there and knows people with K-9 Angels Rescue, which is also based out of Houston.

Yeager said she noticed the rescue group needed helping saving 40 puppies and dogs from being euthanized. Yeager said the dogs were going to be euthanized because there wasn't enough room in the shelters to keep them.

Cages for the puppies and dogs were donated along with blankets and towels.

"We are going to keep adults here. We're going to keep some puppies here also to have them fixed, spayed and neutered. They will probably be available for adoption Saturday. Some of the younger ones are being sent out into foster until they've had their shots and they're ready for adoption. They can come back and get spayed and nurtured and be ready for their families too," said Yeager.

The puppies and dogs all have pictures and a biography attached to their cage.

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40 dogs rescued from euthanasia in Houston, brought to Delaware County to find homes - ABC6OnYourSide.com

Tracy's Dogs is a not-for-profit National Rescue & Transport Initiative for shelter dogs. The focus of the program is to rescue and rehabilitate dogs with pending euthanasia dates residing in kill shelters with the hope of putting them up for adoption to find forever homes!

In 2011, ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) launched a National Animal Relocation Initiative to move animals from areas of oversupply to areas where there are few, if any, similar pets available in shelters for adoption. And while on a 6-week work furlough, Tracy Whyatt followed her passion for saving these unloved dogs' lives! Tracy and her husband Scott started going on road trips, saving Texas-based dogs in kill shelters, and taking them to other states to find their forever homes... and their company, Tracy's Dogs, began!

Tracy's Dogs partners with PetSmart to help with a meeting space for the dogs and their new owners. Every month after filling out an application and going over the details of each dog and their new owners, Scott loads up the dogs in a 32-foot trailer and takes them to PetSmart parking lots in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Washington DC, and Florida, where they meet up with their new families. The moment that the new owners receive their dogs is amazingly emotional and beautiful!

Since Tracy and Scott began their company in 2011, they have adopted out over 3,700 dogs! And once you see these dogs and owners meet for the first time, you're going to want to adopt a dog from Tracy's Dogs!

For more information or to make a donation to Tracy's Dogs, visit tracysdogs.com and here's a list of their available dogs.

This HooplaHa original video was produced by Tracy Chevrier, shot by Angelo Re, and edited by Kellie Sieban. To see more good news, follow us on Facebook and sign up for our Only Good News Newsletter.

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Tracy's Dogs Rescues Shelter Dogs From Euthanasia And Finds Them Forever Homes - HuffPost

A Missouri woman got the surprise of a lifetime after she saved a pregnant dog on the euthanasia list from her local pet shelter -- and it gave birth to 18 puppies!

Mom Ashlee Holland adopted mom-to-be Ava, a golden retriever-chow mix believed to between two and four years old, from Midwest Animal ResQ in Raytown, Missouri.

"She was on the euthanasia list. She had no other choice, no other hope. I was basically her last resort along with Midwest Animal ResQ," Holland told WDAF. "No dog deserves to be put to sleep for space."

Although Holland was aware that her new rescue pet was pregnant at the time of the adoption, she didn't know quite what she was getting herself into.

"I was aware she was having puppies, but X-rays didn't show how many," Holland told the station.

Ava went into labor on June 25 and her first puppy was born at 10:02 p.m. The momma dog went on to have another four puppies within 57 minutes, according to Holland.

"She took a little break, had puppy #6, another break and then puppy #7 at 12:33 a.m.," Holland wrote on Facebook. "All signs showed that she was done having puppies as she had calmed down, wasn't having anymore contractions, and was caring for her 7 new babies."

The next morning, however, Holland and her family would learn that Ava was anything but 'done.'

"Ava got cleaned up and taken care of and her bedding was changed and we called it a night, only to wake up to 8 more puppies!!! We were now at 15!" she wrote. "I had to tend to my kids and get them ready for summer school and came back to find out she had given birth to another 3 pups!"

In total, Ava gave birth to 18 healthy and adorable puppies, all of which Holland's 9-year-old son named after Kansas City Royals players.

See photos of the pups:

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Ava and her 18 puppies

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"We got Ned Yost, Dayton Moore, Buck O'Neil. We got Esky, Royal," she said. "It's heaven. Puppy pile, you can't get any better than that."

Holland told WDAF that rescuing animals has always been a passion of her's and that this entire experience has simply left her over the moon.

"It's overwhelming. It's incredible. I didn't just save one life, I saved 19," Holland said. "It's amazing."

Holland said Ava and her puppies will be ready for adoption in approximately eight weeks, pending medical examinations.

Anyone interested in either adopting a puppy or helping Holland care for them can click here.

More from AOL.com: Puppy pics could be the key to help reignite your marriage's flame 17-year-old dog adopted after family dropped it off at a shelter Dog honored after helping cancer survivor owner emerge from coma 3 days early

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Woman adopts pregnant dog on euthanasia list that gives birth to 18 puppies - AOL

When cow-calf producers talk about the need to euthanize an animal, their first thoughts turn to those that are sick or injured and whether the animal is likely to recover. If it hasnt responded to care and is suffering, then there is really no other option.

This decision isnt made lightly, as Dr. Melissa Moggy learned from interviews with 15 producers as part of a larger research project for her masters of veterinary medical science at the University of Calgary.

Many cow-calf producers rely on advice from their veterinarians and some have their veterinarian do the euthanasia. The final call, however, is entirely in producers hands.

It would be remiss not to consider whether an animal is still strong and healthy enough to be transported to a local abattoir or packing plant. Concerns in this situation revolve around meat quality, withdrawal times for medications, the animals well-being and the likelihood of it arriving in adequate condition.

Producers tend to think of an animals ability to freely access feed and water as a good indicator of its quality of life. It follows then that animals most likely to be euthanized on the farm are those with a broken leg or unable to stand.

Cow-calf producers spend a lifetime caring for animals, so its not surprising euthanasia is a topic they dont talk much about even though its almost inevitable when raising cattle. So Moggy wasnt surprised that this was a sensitive subject for many producers, and some acknowledged it was a topic that should be discussed, and an area of weakness for them.

The 15 were drawn from 84 producers who responded to Moggys full-length questionnaire exploring management practices associated with pain and stress in cattle. All are participants in the Western Canadian Cow-Calf Surveillance Network, a collaborative effort between the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon and University of Calgary faculty of veterinary medicine to recruit cow-calf herds representative of the sector across the Prairies for the purposes of gaining insight into production practices through surveys such as hers.

The weakness overall wasnt with the methods chosen for humane euthanasia of an animal. Those are clearly laid out in the Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Beef Cattle (the beef code). The shortcoming showed up in how they confirmed insensibility and death. Most used at least one approved method to confirm death, but only a quarter of them followed the beef codes required process in its entirety.

Of the 73 producers who said theyd euthanized an animal in 2014, 68 per cent followed up by checking for breathing, 62 per cent checked the corneal reflex, 47 per cent checked for heartbeat, 38 per cent checked for limb movement, 15 per cent checked for vocalization, seven per cent checked jaw tone, and eight per cent didnt do any of these. Producers were allowed more than one answer to this question.

The updated beef code offers guidance on this subject.

The first step is to confirm insensibility during the several minutes it takes for respiration and cardiac activity to cease. An insensible animal wont blink when the eyeball is touched. Signs that an animal is not insensible include eye movement, vocalizing and attempts to lift its head or get up.

Confirming death by checking for both heartbeat and respiration is important whether an animal has been euthanized or presumed dead from natural or accidental causes. Feel or listen for a heartbeat in the left lower chest area, just behind the elbow. An insensible animal may have slow and erratic breathing as respiration and chest movement come to a stop.

It was surprising, too, that approximately 13 per cent of the 84 producers had not euthanized any animals on the farm that year.

On the optimistic side, it could mean that they had no sick or injured cattle, or they shipped them while they could still make the journey, says Dr. Claire Windeyer, who supervised Moggys research.

What I worry about is producers might be letting animals die naturally or shipping unfit cattle. I dont think anyone would do this intentionally. In the case of natural deaths, they may be reluctant to euthanize a favourite cow, hoping it will recover. In the case of unfit cattle, they may be unaware of how stressful the trip might be or not recognize the fitness of the animal to travel. Either way, we need more dialogue in the industry on the need to euthanize animals on the farm.

Several studies evaluating the well-being of cattle arriving at packing plants indicate there is still room for improvement. The beef codes transportation section includes an appended illustration of the decision tree and lameness descriptions for handy reference when evaluating whether animals are fit, compromised or unfit for transport.

There are three issues surrounding on-farm euthanasia: timeliness, doing it properly, and making sure you do it properly by confirming insensibility and death.

Timeliness is related to the practice of culling mature animals before health issues or failing body condition are apt to become a concern, as well as dealing with animals that are sick or injured.

Windeyer gives an example of a downer cow after a difficult calving. If the cow keeps trying to get its back end underneath itself to stand, its a good sign that the nerves are still working and it still has the ability to use its muscles. On the other hand, if the hind end is completely paralyzed due to muscle death from being compressed by the weight of the cow over time, or the cow takes a turn for the worse despite your best nursing efforts, euthanasia may be the best choice for the well-being of the cow. The animal is unlikely to recover once the muscles die.

When a cow is down, euthanasia needs to be done early enough to prevent suffering, but not too soon so as not to give the animal a chance of recovery. As long as you are providing feed and water and a soft place for the animal to lay while you nurse them along, thats not neglect. My rule of thumb is that Ill keep trying as long as the animal keeps trying, Windeyer says, adding that producers should discuss the prognosis for recovery in each individual case with their veterinarian.

Understanding the proper way to carry out euthanasia may help make the process easier. The beef code outlines the requirements for the use of gunshot and captive bolt guns for calves and mature cattle. Approved euthanasia drugs are acceptable only when given by veterinarians.

The beef code stipulates that non-ambulatory cattle must not be dragged or forced to move before euthanasia, that euthanasia must be performed by competent personnel, and that the equipment must be maintained according to manufacturers instructions to ensure it functions properly. Further suggestions include use of the safest and least stressful method of restraint when animals must be restrained and asking your veterinarian about the use of sedation for unmanageable or aggressive cattle.

When deciding on whats best in your situation, consider human safety, animal welfare, your skill level, carcass disposal and the potential need for brain tissue for diagnostic purposes.

The beef code is available on the National Farm Animal Care Councils website, http://www.nfacc.ca. To receive a hard copy contact the Canadian Cattlemens Association, 403-275-8558, or your provincial affiliate.

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Talking about euthanasia - Canadian Cattlemen

A man on Wednesday approached the Rajasthan State Human Rights Commission (RSHRC) and sought permission for euthanasia, alleging that doctors at a government hospital here had refused to carry out an orthopaedic surgery on him as he was an HIV patient.

RSHRC chairman Justice Prakash Tatia, however, has assured him that the commission would look into the matter and arrange for his surgery as soon as possible.

According to the patient, admitted in the orthopaedic ward of MG Hospital here since June 17, the doctors had expressed the need for a surgery in his hips based on an MRI report.

But when they learnt that I am an HIV positive after the blood test, they have been constantly avoiding the surgery. They said that the arrangement of the kit and other material related to surgery would take about a month-and-a-half to arrive, the patient alleged.

He said that he was admitted for surgery twice before but then too, he was discharged the moment doctors learnt about his being HIV positive in order to avoid surgery.

The acting superintendent of the hospital, Ajay Malviya, said that he did not have knowledge of any such issue.

If a complaint is given to us, we will get it enquired, said Malviya.

Dinesh Joshi, the president of the Jodhpur Network for Positive People, a non-profit organisation working for the HIV positive, said that people with HIV had been facing this problem since long and warned that if the issue was not resolved, the organisation would stage a demonstration.

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HIV patient in Jodhpur seeks nod for euthanasia | india-news ... - Hindustan Times

Physician-assisted suicide is facing New Yorks high court, with a ruling due sometime this summer. We can already see the inherent doublespeak that is far too common among supporters of legalizing physician-assisted suicide.

In U.S. News & World Report, attorney Edwin Schallert, the representative of an advocacy group known as End of Life Choices New York, literally said, We dont view this as suicide Its a medically and ethically appropriate treatment. Schallert and his associates, as reported in Newsday, prefer to use the term aid in dying.

Here is the problem. Aid in dying implies that the individual requesting the treatment wants to die. The aid that is being procured is the result of that desire. When someone does not request aid in dying but receives aid in dying anyway, we call that euthanasia or murder.

The intent is clearly what differentiates these two situations, and, to be fair, advocates of physician-assisted suicide understand this. Perhaps they do not understand how their policies can be abused to cover up murder, but very few people would ever advocate that any type of aid in dying should be received by someone who does not want to die and did not request that aid.

However, using the language of aid in dying and operating under the assumption that this aid is only to be provided when the individual with the terminal illness explicitly requests it brings the defender of physician-assisted suicide into yet another explicit contradiction about the situational acceptability of suicide.

When a particular individual is requesting aid in dying, presumably this individual is not able to do it him- or herself. Suicide is an epidemic-level problem in our society today, and with productions like 13 Reasons Why influencing teenagers all over our country, it is obvious that many people do commit suicide without any assistance from anyone else.

Again, though, we need to look at the intent of this situation. We consider an intentional, self-inflicted death to be a suicide in all other situations, but in this particular case, Schallert wants to call this particular act anything but a suicide. Therefore, euthanasia advocates chose the much more positive-sounding aid in dying. This is supposed to be seen as something that helps people get where they want to be. For an individual who is voluntarily seeking out physician-assisted suicide, the end target is death.

The previously mentioned contradiction is rather blatant. It says suicide is permissible in certain situations, and we might call it something else, such as aid in dying. However, it is still a form of suicide based on the fact that an individual is seeking to terminate his or her own life. That is the definition we use for suicide in every other context.

Society teaches it is unacceptable for someone to choose to terminate his or her life when he or she is a teenager enduring bullying and sometimes horrific harassment from peers. In these situations, we provide counselors to help these individuals overcome their suicidal tendencies, and this is a good thing without a doubt.

That same society, by affirming physician-assisted suicide, is teaching that it is acceptable for someone to choose to terminate his or her own life, most commonly in cases of terminal illness. The suicidal tendencies in these individuals minds are apparently not wrong as, rather than bring in the professional counselors to try to help these people overcome their suicidal thoughts, they are allowed to act on them. They want to commit suicide, so because of their particular situation in life, it is somehow magically acceptable to basically not bother trying to prevent this decision.

This contradiction is exactly why Schallert and his camp cannot allow physician-assisted suicide to be called suicide, as it really ought to be classified. The minute they admit that it is suicide, they have to answer the above contradiction, and there is no good reason for saying that one life is valuable and worth support while another life is not. There is no legitimate reason for saying that a teenager needs counseling while saying an elderly, terminal cancer patient does not. One life is clearly seen as valuable and worth preserving, while another is not. It is hard to simultaneously affirm that we believe in equality yet not provide everyone the same supports.

How far do you think any type of physician-assisted suicide legislation would get if it were not covered in doublespeak? Proponents speak about being compassionate, but they are actually agents involved in dehumanizing individuals with terminal illness.

For all of the talk about death with dignity, it is interesting that these individuals are deprived of the human dignity we give to any other individual contemplating suicide. Because they have inherent value as human beings, we seek to help them overcome these destructive tendencies and affirm the value in their lives. By acknowledging physician-assisted suicide for the suicide that it really is, we are stripping these individuals of the dignity they naturally deserve. They deserve our best efforts to help them affirm the value of their own life, just like any other individual who seems to be moving towards suicide.

Helping any suicidal individual to choose life is a true affirmation of the dignity of each person no matter what. Aid in dying and its associated euphemisms do just the opposite and destroy human dignity.

Originally posted here:

Why It's Incoherent To Support Euthanasia And Oppose Suicide - The Federalist

It is important to understand what the body does when death occurs. Not in an attempt to be morbid, but so that you will not experience unpleasant surprises and so that you will be prepared to witness the passing of your pet.

In the process of a quiet, peaceful home euthanasia, it is unlikely that you will witness anything very upsetting or unsettling. In about 95% of the cases, you will not see anything else than the cessation of breathing and of motion. Body reactions can occur however, and in the event that you see something it is important for you to understand that these body reactions do not equate suffering and are part of the natural event of dying.

The genetic entity is geared towards survival. Cells and bodies are reluctant to let go of life and when death occurs, the body may attempt to stay alive even though the spirit is leaving the body. This is not an indication that your pet was not ready or anything of the sort.

The most surprising of those reactions is the agonal breathing. This looks like sudden or convulsive breaths which do not actually lead to oxygenation. They are more or less a reaction of the nerves in the body trying to kick start the body back into life again. There can be only one "shudder" or several in a row (4 or 5 or rarely more). When those occur, there is not enough oxygen to the brain for the pet to be conscious. Agonal breathing occurs as the body is dying and the pet has no consciousness of this and certainly does not feel like "he can't breathe". Most of the times, those are silent, but occasionally, breathing noises can accompany them. Some people describe it as a shudder or a grunt, I've also heared the term "death rattles", but the pet has no consciousness of this occurring. They do not always occur. As a matter of fact, they are unlikely to occur because we use a drug that calms the body and that helps to prevent agonal breathing. In addition, injecting the euthanasia solution slowly also helps to prevent agonal breathing. However, sometimes, despite the use of this drug and despite the slow injection of the euthanasia solution, agonal breathing cannot always be eliminated. It is important to understand that agonal breathing does not mean that the pet is suffering and that pain is experienced. Remember, if and when they do occur, the pet is already unconscious and chances are that the heart has already stopped. For all intents and purposes, the pet is already gone.

Other reactions that can be seen are little twitches of the muscles or skin. These can sometimes last for several minutes after the pet has passed away. They are normal nerve reactions but do not always occur either. They are very subtle and not always observed. When observed, they are most often seen around the lower part of the shoulder or around the muzzle, but they can be seen anywhere on the body.

The normal relaxed position of the eyes after a pet (or a person) has passed away is open. Eyes will likely remain open. Rarely they close and sometimes they are in a sort of a neutral position, neither open or closed. Pet owners often ask me to close their pets eyes. Unfortunately, even if we close the eyes, they will inevitably re-open unless a little drop of surgical glue is put under the eyelids. Some people find it particularly unsettling to see their pets eyes open and prefer that I use that little drop of surgical glue. If this is the case for you, please do let me know.

In addition to the eyes remaining open, the cornea (the clear part of the eyes) will take on a glassy or blurry appearance within a few minutes.

Bodily fluids and gas will leak out. If the bladder is very full, there will be a large puddle of urine under your pet, so it is important to prepare for this and to have towels readily available to slide under your pet after his passing. Even if your pet has recently urinated, it is likely that there will be a little bit of urine leakage. It is not as common for feces will leak out, but it can happen, especially if your pet has had diarrhea. If your pet has been very ill with severe diarrhea or bloody stools, it can be quite messy after his passing. Again, better be prepared. Out of respect for your pet, we will never force your pet to lie down on something unusual that he may be uncomfortable with. But if towels are nearby, as soon as your pet has passed away, we can slide those towels underneath him before leakage occurs.

Sometimes, particularly in cases of congestive heart failure, chest bleeding due to a ruptured tumor, pneumonia or trauma, blood tinted fluid can escape the nasal cavity or mouth. This can look scary, but as your pet has already passed away, his suffering has ended and this will be of no consequence to him and is a normal part of such disease process. If your pets illness did not involve the conditions named above, this nasal or oral bleeding will not occur.

Other normal occurences include the ears becoming pricked, the tail can curl up, the hair (hackles) along the spine (particularly at the base of the spine and on the tail) can become raised. Very rarely, the entire body can stretch during the death process or immediately after.

After the passing of your pet, when his body is moved or lifted, sometimes, the air empties out of the lungs and as this happens, you may hear something what sounds like a breath or a grunt. This does not mean that your pet is still alive or is still breathing. It is just the leftover air leaving the lungs.

With all the above said, you should not worry yourself unduly that the passing of your pet will be traumatic to you. A home euthanasia is usually very peaceful and the reactions described above are benign and not very scary or traumatic to a pet owner. Being aware of what can occur will find you prepared for all eventualities and will minimize the upset and trauma you will inevitably feel at the loss of your beloved pet. The most important thing to remember is that your pets spirit left peacefully and the body reactions which can be considered potentially unsightly by more sensitive people are just body reactions and they do not indicate suffering upon euthanasia. If you know that you are very sensitive and likely to be very upset in the unlikely event that you see any of these reactions, you may want to consider not being present for the final injection and may want to choose saying your final goodbyes beforehand.

Death occurring naturally, unaided by euthanasia is usually more dramatic to a greater or lesser degree. Agonal breathing is likely to occur and may last for several seconds and even minutes. Twitches are usually more evident. If your pet is experiencing pain, he may vocalize. The manifestations of death vary depending on the disease process causing death.

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Understanding Death | Home Pet Euthanasia of Southern ...

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At 14 years old, Barky, our family dog, had survived cancer and blood disease thanks to a combination of heroic veterinary efforts and just plain good luck. Then, she developed congestive heart failure.

Congestive heart failure is a terrible condition. The dog's heart can't pump blood through the body very well. It leads to coughing, exhaustion, a swollen belly and eventually, the dog's lungs will fill with fluid, and she will essentially feel as if she is drowning in her own body.

Barky at the author's parents' house in Rhode Island

We didn't want Barky to experience a terrifying, painful death. We thought it was kinder for the veterinarian to end her life before that happened peacefully, at home, surrounded by the people who love her.

My family and I were devastated to lose Barky, devastated to think of her dying, and unsure about whether we were making the right choice. Should we wait? Had we already waited too long?

This is the price we pay for loving animals, and for living with animals: being responsible sometimes for deciding when and how to end their lives.

But how do we know how and when to do it, so that we have done right by our pets, and honored their places in our family? TODAY reached out to veterinarians for guidance to help answer some of our deepest and, frankly, sobbiest questions about pet euthanasia.

Generally, the veterinarian will give your pet two shots. The first is a sedative.

"This provides for a gentle transition from consciousness to unconsciousness, and the only sensation a pet will experience following this injection is falling into a deeper and deeper sleep," explained Dr. Shea Cox, a hospice and palliative care specialist with Bridge Veterinary Services in Northern California.

This period will likely last between five and 10 minutes, with the pet falling into a deeper and deeper sleep, "at which time they become no longer aware," said Cox.

When the family is ready, the veterinarian will then administer the second injection. The most common drug used during that stage is pentobarbital, another anesthetic that will cause the pet's heart to slow and then stop.

The injection is given either intravenously, which will bring on death in seconds, or directly into the abdomen, which may take up to 15 minutes and "is more gentle and slow," said Cox but in either case, the pet, having been sedated, will not be aware of this part of the process.

The only discomfort the pet should experience throughout is a possible pinch when the first injection is given. This is in keeping, Cox said, with the true meaning of the word "euthanasia," coming "from the Greek word euthanatos, which means 'good death.'"

People often ask Dr. Dani McVety, founder of the home-based veterinary hospice and euthanasia service Lap of Love, when is the "right" time for euthanasia. She prefers the term "best," instead.

McVety feels this word better encompasses the truth, that there is usually no 100 percent, objectively correct time for euthanasia. Rather, "we, together, are making the best decision that we could make," she said.

Barky was very loving and patient even when some people insisted in dressing her up like a babushka.

Deciding when to end a pet's life involves the owner and their veterinarian weighing a number of factors: the animal's current quality of life, what type of disease he or she may be suffering from and how it is likely to progress. Another consideration is what the family is able to endure; if they want every possible second with their pet and will undergo expensive or uncertain treatments, or if they want to forestall their pet's suffering.

If the pet has a condition like congestive heart failure, or untreatable brain cancer a disease that will, unchecked, lead to a painful death the recommendation may be for euthanasia sooner instead of later.

Even then, by and large, your pet won't tell you for sure that it's time; don't expect a clear-as-day sign to let you know. "Theres a subjective period of time in which euthanasia is a good decision," said McVety.

It's important that you and your vet can have open, honest conversations about euthanasia, to help guide this hard part of the process.

"In general, I also tell people to trust their instincts. They know their pets better than anyone," said Dr. Lisa Lippman, a house-call veterinarian in New York City. "Are they eating? Do they get up to greet you like normal? No matter what any veterinarian says, they know their pet best."

It's normal for your pet to have good and bad days toward the end. Texas veterinarian Dr. Fiona McCord, founder of Compassionate Care Pet Services, stresses that owners shouldn't feel as if they have done something wrong if the euthanasia takes place on a day their pet is feeling well.

"I would much rather somebody plan we had a good day, went to the park, came home, had the ice cream sandwiches and we let that pet go than to say, 'OK, lets play it day by day,' and suddenly I get a call, 'My dog is in distress, can you come today?'" she said. "Its OK to be a good day. There is no perfect time. Nobody will ever know the perfect time."

Some veterinarians specialize in at-home euthanasia, or incorporate that into their practice. Being at home means not having to get a sick pet into the car, not having to bring them to the veterinarian's office, which may be associated with anxiety or pain.

"Allowing a pets final moments to be spent in their familiar home setting, surrounded by the comforts and smells they have known all their life, is a final gift we can give," said Cox.

The price varies widely among veterinarians and clinics. Some vets may not charge at all for euthanasia, only for cremation services. Lap of Love's Tampa Bay location charges $250 for the euthanasia itself, with additional costs for cremation. Other veterinarians have quoted prices of double and even triple that amount. You'll have to ask your vet about prices.

When the procedure cannot be done in your home, your veterinarian may have a back entrance and quiet room set aside for euthanasia so you and your pet can avoid the loud waiting room. In that case, Dr. Michael Dix of the Jacksonville Veterinary Hospital in Oregon suggests bringing along "their favorite toy, bed or blanket with the pet when the actual euthanasia is taking place."

"It is also nice for people to give special things to their pet as the time nears," Dix said. "This may be a special treat, like ice cream or hot dogs not too much, though, as they can get uncomfortable."

The most important thing is to help your pet feel calm and not increase their stress, says Dr. Katy Nelson, a veterinarian with Belle Haven Animal Medical Centre in Alexandria, Virginia, and host of "The Pet Show With Dr. Katy."

For example, if your pet wears a collar, leave it on until they have passed, since "taking it off can be excitatory," Nelson said.

And stay with your pet through the process and to the end. "While it may be hard, it would be harder knowing that the last face that your precious one saw was that of a stranger," said Nelson. "Theyve always been there for you in life. Be there for them in death."

You may feel comforted by being able to celebrate and honor your pet at the different stages of this process.

For example, perhaps you have sufficient opportunity to prepare, create and then go out and fulfill a bucket list of experiences for your pet. Or revisit their favorite places, and give them their favorite foods.

Then on the day of, you can try to have people and things around you that will foster a peaceful and meaningful experience. McCord recalls an elderly Labrador retriever whose owner invited several friends to come to her house to be there for the dog's euthanasia.

The group had flowers, lit candles and sang. The owner's friends "read a couple of really awesome poems. They did a little prayer," said McCord. "This then allows that person to deal with this death in whatever way is appropriate for them."

Your veterinarian may cry with you. In fact, it's common enough for this to happen that there's a kind of rule of thumb that the vet should ensure not to cry harder than the pet's owner.

For McVety, even with the sadness, what she mainly feels is that it is "an honor" to be part of a family's life during this time.

Cox shares this perspective. "While it is true that the nature of the appointment is a situation of sadness and loss, there is no other time in my relationship with that pet and family that is more impactful and meaningful than those moments we spend together," she said. "To be able to make a final journey as meaningful as the life lived is not just a gift to the pet and family, but a gift to me."

You have a lot of options as to what you want to do with your pet's body after euthanasia.

Your veterinarian can tell you about pet cremation services available in your area. You will generally have to specify if you want your pet cremated alone, and for their ashes to be returned to you.

There are countless urns and other specialty memorials you can buy for containing your pet's ashes. A chain of pet funeral homes called The Pet Loss Center is currently expanding through Texas and Florida; other similar operations may be opening in your city. In some jurisdictions it is legal to bury your pet in your backyard, and in some others, you can even make arrangements for you and your pet to be (eventually) buried together in a cemetery.

But before all that, many veterinarians will allow you to spend time alone with your deceased pet in the room at their animal hospital if that's where the euthanasia occurred, or in your home before the veterinarian takes away their body. McCord said she's even had pet owners ask for their pet's body to be left at home overnight.

"Thats OK; we dont have to push bodies away or hide them or cover them up the minute they passed," she said.

McVety recommends saving a lock of your pet's fur, and keeping their collar, especially if you have other animals at home. They will smell these tokens, and it will help them grieve, too.

"They dont grieve in a human way, so we cant expect them to act the same way that we do. But they get the circle of life better than we do," she said. "They understand this. Were the ones that have a problem with it. So even watching your pet and how they get through the process is, I think, such a great example for us humans on how we can continue moving forward in life in a moment-by-moment basis."

Be sure, finally, to give yourself time and space to grieve. Consider joining a pet loss support group. A pet's death can be as traumatic and difficult as the loss of a human family member.

"It is not a sign of weakness to love a pet," Nelson said. "And its certainly not a sign of weakness to mourn their loss."

Barky was spoiled rotten until her last day.

It was about five years ago now that I flew to Rhode Island where my parents live, and where they had taken such good care of our beloved dog to see Barky one last time.

Barky's final day was bright and sunny. We spent hours outside with her in her favorite spot in the yard, so she could keep a good eye on all invading squirrels. Her face was white with age; her fur was warm from the sun. We gave Barky as many biscuits as she wanted to eat.

When the vet arrived that afternoon, my parents and I sat with Barky on the couch where she'd napped so many hundreds of times that there were dog-sized white spots worn into the otherwise tan leather. My brother and his wife, who were living in Turkey at the time, joined us by Skype.

After a long time of saying goodbye, while my family and I cried into Barky's fur, the veterinarian administered the shots. We hugged her and told her we loved her as she left us. Maybe there are things we might have done differently today, given the chance. We did our best.

My mom claims to still hear Barky walking around the house from time to time. I still think of her daily. Sometimes I sit my other pets down and tell them about their Auntie Barky.

They never really pay attention, but it makes me feel better to say it.

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Pet euthanasia: Veterinarians on when it's time, cost and more ... - Today.com

The three women who took their own lives in an apparent suicide pact in a Gold Coast unit were part of controversial euthanasia advocate Dr Philip Nitsches group Exit International.

Mother Margaret Cummins, 78, and her daughters Wynette and Heather, aged 53 and 54, were found dead in a unit on Ephraim Island on Tuesday afternoon.

Dr Nitschke released a statement today confirming the trio were members of the pro-euthanasia group, and had subscribed to the online Peaceful Pill eHandbook.

He said the triple suicide pact was unusual but the "planning and research by the women that took place over a number of months indicated that this was a rational decision".

He told AAP he did not personally know the women but confirmed they had joined his Exit International group.

"It was a bit over six months ago," he said from Amsterdam.

"They were not terminally ill people but on the other hand, they were not in the best of health either.

"They were obviously working out what they wanted to do."

Dr Nitschke said three members had never ended their lives at the same time before.

But the man known as 'Dr Death' said it appeared to be a "rational and informed choice" and their decision to end their lives because of their health problems was a matter only for them.

"It needs to be respected, it doesn't mean you need to be enthusiastic about it," he said.

9news.com.au has approached Dr Nitschke for further comment.

A Gold Coast man returned to the luxury residential estate of Ephraim Island at Paradise Point on Tuesday to find his wife, mother-in-law and sister-in-law dead.

Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Procter told News Corp Australia the husband was shaken, but not completely surprised.

It's believed all three had medical problems and police aren't treating the deaths as suspicious.

Neighbours have expressed sadness over the deaths in the upmarket residential community is joined to the mainland by a bridge.

Ephraim Island is an artificial island developed in the mid-200s as a resort and holiday destination.

Rental villas and holiday homes in the area can cost more than $1500 a week, while many other holiday-goers prefer to tie up luxury yachts in the marina.

Euthanasia is illegal in Australia, although Dr Nitschke led a successful campaign to allow assisted suicide in the Northern Territory in 1996.

Four people committed suicide through the laws provisions before it was overturned by the Federal Parliament in 1997.

Dr Nitschke founded Exit International following the ban.

In 2014 he was suspended from practising medicine, but this was overturned in 2015.

The Medical Board of Australia nonetheless prohibited him from providing information about euthanasia as part of his conditional return to practice.

In response, Dr Nitschke publicly burned his medical certificate and moved to Holland, where he currently resides.

*Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.

*Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467.

*MensLine Australia 1300 78 99 78.

*Multicultural Mental Health Australia http://www.mmha.org.au.

Nine Digital Pty Ltd 2017

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Gold Coast suicide pact trio members of 'Dr Death' pro-euthanasia group - 9news.com.au

A vocal member of the QandA audience expressed her own feelings on euthanasia in Australia. Courtesy: ABC

William Toffler is touring Australia campaigning against euthanasia. Picture: Facinglife.tv/Youtube

AN ultraconservative, anti-euthanasia campaigner with extreme views on abortion and contraception is this week touring Australia and meeting with senior MPs.

US doctor William Toffler believes abortion can lead to breast cancer, contraception is against Gods plan and suicide is a sin. Now hes here on the dime of a Liberal politician to convince some powerful people not to legalise assisted dying, which has been legal in his home state of Oregon for 20 years.

Im here to educate people its probably not great to make Oregons mistake, he told news.com.au. Theres a shroud of secrecy, its corrupted the practice of medicine, violating the trust between doctors and patients.

The paradigm of situational killing is anathema to end-of-life care.

This is the perfect murder. Its very flawed, very dangerous and impossible to circumscribe.

William Toffler is touring Australia campaigning against euthanasia. Picture: Facinglife.tv/YoutubeSource:YouTube

Dr Toffler who is this week addressing MPs in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide and Perth says there are no adequate psychiatric tests for people who want to end their lives and that they are not asked whether they have life insurance or who the beneficiary is.

He lists a number of anecdotes about people who did not have appropriate mental health checks, about a woman absconding with her euthanised partners $25,000 and about medical staff failing to administer lethal doses properly.

While the statistics from Oregon indicate all is well, Dr Toffler says thats because cases are not properly investigated.

Victorian MP and Leader of the The Australian Sex Party Fiona Patten told news.com.au Dr Toffler was providing a lot of misinformation and misrepresenting the situation in Oregon.

She said she supported his right to free speech but that he had no evidence to support his theories and she felt he was trying to force his views on others.

Ms Patten said she had visited Oregon, where there had not been one case of litigation, and gained a very different picture from doctors and patients.

Im hoping people look at the evidence and listen to the experts in this area and vote on its merits, she said. I dont think Professor Toffler is very helpful in that respect.

Sex Party leader and Victorian MP Fiona Patten said Dr Toffler was trying to force his views on others. Picture: Mark StewartSource:News Corp Australia

The Catholic Church and Right to Die are very well funded. I know privately an enormous number of MPs would like to see physician assisted dying approved.

We received over 1000 submissions to our inquiry. I dont think anyone with compassion could have heard them and not want to give patients at the end of their lives and suffering some kind of autonomy.

She said the alternatives to assisted dying were often violent suicides, unregulated euthanasia or Dr Tofflers recommendation of sedation, in which patients died of starvation or dehydration.

Polls show around 80 per of Victorians and, it is believed, Australians nationwide support a law for voluntary assisted dying.

Shayne Higson, Vice President of Dying with Dignity, told news.com.au that the law in Oregon had been working safely and effectively for 20 years, supported by the public and medical profession, which was why similar laws are now in place across six states in America.

Hopefully the parliamentarians of Victoria and NSW will not be persuaded by scaremongering, she said. It is a challenge when groups like Right to Life bring people here and put them forward as experts. I dont think Dr Toffler would be considered an expert in Oregon.

Hes Catholic and represents a very small minority of people.

His views are not really credible. Its disappointing that Australians, especially the Victorian Parliament, are going to be exposed to his views. We deserve a better, evidence-based debate.

There is no slippery slope, and no evidence of widespread abuse.

Dr Toffler says that while the law currently only allows assisted dying for terminally ill, mentally competent patients, there is no reason this would not be extended if people were suffering for longer periods of time.

Andrew Irving, holding a photo of wife Marilyn, who passed away after a long illness, at a rally supporting a voluntary assisted dying bill. Picture: Luke BowdenSource:News Corp Australia

Claiming dignity by taking a massive overdose is specious, he said. I was married for 40 years my wife died 13 months ago with cancer of the uterus.

The reality is because my wife and I knew she was going to die there was suffering, but also great joy. Our days together all more special because we knew they were numbered.

I wouldnt trade it for a nanosecond. To say an overdose is dignified, what does it say about my family, my wife, who chose to live her life fully with support from family and doctors?

Many advocates for assisted dying have spoken out against Dr Tofflers visit, which comes as the debate heats up in Australia, particularly in Victoria and NSW, where Voluntary Assisted Dying Bills have been tabled to the state parliaments.

While Premier Daniel Andrews, most of his ministers, the Sex Party and the Greens are in favour of reform, some are not, including such as Deputy Premier James Merlino, Opposition leader Matthew Guy and socially conservative Liberals and crossbenchers.

Anne Gabrielides from NSW is terminally ill and campaigning for the right to die on her own terms.Source:News Corp Australia

A spokesperson from Go Gentle Australia told news.com.au in a statement: Dr Toffler is a controversial member of the religious right and was part of a very small minority in the Oregon Medical Association who opposed a womans right to choose abortion and did so because God told him so. He has publicly aligned himself with the discredited view that there is a link between abortion and breast cancer, a view opposed by, among others, the Australian Medical Association, the Cancer Council of Australia and the Breast Cancer Network, Australia.

Toffler is being sponsored in his visit to parliament by Liberal MLC Inga Peulich. Ms Peulich was one of two dissenting votes on the Cross-Parliamentary Inquiry into End-of-Life Choices Committee. Their recommendations (6-2 in favour) laid the groundwork for the voluntary assisted dying bill to go before Parliament later this year.

Along with the other dissenting voice Labor MP Daniel Mulino Ms Peulich chose not to travel with the Committee to Oregon, or other jurisdictions where assisted dying laws exist, to learn how they work.

Instead, she has chosen to sponsor a speech to MPs by a doctor with extreme religious views. A doctor whose opposition to Oregons Death with Dignity law not only predates its existence, but also flies in the face of its widespread acceptance after more than 20 years of operation.

The people of Victoria deserve better from Ms Peulich than the introduction of a religious extremist into this important public health debate.

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Anti-euthanasia campaigner touring Australia with some very extreme views - NEWS.com.au