Facing Farewell

Be informed before you bid farewell to your pet One of the most difficult aspects of being a pet owner is making end of life decisions for beloved dogs and cats. While many end up deciding to “put their pet to sleep,” the euthanasia procedure remains a mystery for most people adding to the stress and fear an owner experiences at this critical time. Author Julie Reck is a veterinarian who has devoted her professional career to helping owners make more informed decisions about euthanasia. In Facing Farewell, you will be provided with a complete description of the euthanasia procedure so that you will know what to expect and be confident that you have made the right choice for both you and your pet.

You will learn about
• The symptoms of pain and discomfort pets display as they approach the end of life.
• Information you should gather and share with your veterinarian as well as questions you should ask you vet about how she conducts a euthanasia procedure.
• What options are available in terms of medications and techniques used during euthanasia so you can be a more informed advocate for your pet.
• What happens when in detail during euthanasia so that you will know what to expect.

What experts are saying about Facing Farewell:
Facing Farewell walks families through the pending loss of a pet with gentleness while offering a feeling of empowerment at the same time. Pet loss support begins well before the death itself. Dr. Reck has provided the tools for a safe and healthy end-of-life experience for both the pet and family.
Dr. Kathleen Cooney, author of In-Home Pet Euthanasia: The Veterinarian’s Guide to Helping Pets and Their Families Say Goodbye in the Comfort of Home

Facing Farewell is an invaluable guide for the family facing the ultimate, important decision in their pet’s life. Dr. Reck gently takes the reader by the hand and provides compassionate guidance through the decision making process. Quality of life and pain assessment are two very important considerations regarding end of life decisions, and they are thoroughly covered. Families will find that the assessment forms included in this book are indispensable for helping to determine “when the time is right.” Knowledge is freedom, and Julie helps free the family from some of the anxiety and pain involved in making decisions in preparation for saying that final good-bye to a beloved family member.