
(public domain image from www.pixabay.com)
In her book, Kindness For All Creatures, Sarah K. Beasley, challenges readers to apply Buddhist Wisdom to aging animal companions -
- Question assumptions about euthanasia and end-of-life care for pets. Take the time to really understand the ramifications of your choices.
- Reach out to your community of friends and family to both ask for and offer support around elderly pet care.
- Research and use simple mobility and home or travel adaptations for elderly pets.
- Research pain management techniques for pets before their pain becomes untenable.
- Recognize the end-of-life journey as natural, not something that needs to be prematurely ended.
- Learn about karma and varying beliefs about the death process.
- Be open to new perspectives about midwifing death for animals.
- Accept grief as a natural part of a lifelong journey and something about which we can be curious.
- Be kind to yourself and others who are making choices during a pet’s illness, injury, or aging or dying processes.