There really is nothing more tragically heartbreaking than losing a member of your family, even when that family member is your faithful four legged friend. For the vast majority of people, a dog is as much a part of the family as anyone else. That only serves to make it that much harder when they get older and come to the end of their lives. It's a truly sad fact of life that this is something that every dog owner is going to have to go through at some point. The most important thing is that what you can do when your dog comes to the end of their road is make sure that they are as happy and comfortable as possible. With that in mind, here are a few simple ways that you can take care of your old friend near the end of their life.
Take some time off
When they're at the end of the road, your dog is probably going to need a lot more care than they previously would have. This means that it's a good idea to take some time off work in order to look after them. Not only is it a good idea to be around to care for them as much as you can, but it also gives you the chance to spend as much quality time with your faithful friend as possible.
Make plans
It might not be the sort of thing you want to think about, but planning for what happens next is an important step. It's also one that's easier to deal with in advance so that you can think more clearly. But still, it's never an easy thing to think about. That's why many people use professional help when it comes to deciding things like burials or cremations. There are plenty of services available that you can use to memorialize your furry friend, click here to learn more about your options. You should also make sure that you communicate what's happening with your family, especially if you have younger children. Explaining what's happening isn't always easy, but it is necessary.
Make them comfortable
The most important thing that you can do for your dog in their final days is to make sure that they are as comfortable as possible. If they've always stayed downstairs then now might be the time to let them come up on the bed with you. Set them up a big pile of cushions and spoil them rotten. In the end, the best thing that you can do for them is to make the time that they have left as enjoyable and full of love as you possibly can. Give them lots of treats, comb their fur and do anything that you know will make them happy. Take this opportunity to spend as much time as you can looking after them and letting them know how much you care about them. Saying goodbye will never be easy, but at least you can make sure that they're as happy as possible at the end.
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