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Animal Behavior
Hospice and Natural Death For Our Pets: An Expert Interview
Pet owners don't always choose euthanasia at the end-of-life for their companion
Posted March 29, 2017
When it comes to making end-of-life decisions on behalf of our pets, there is certainly a lot to think about. We wonder if we are making the best decision on their behalf. A recent article I wrote, Hospice: Not Just for Humans Anymore, a Changing Paradigm, discusses the recent increase of pet owners seeking out hospice and what this looks like.
Recently I've had the opportunity of continuing in that discussion with an expert in natural pet death and hospice, Gail Pope. Gail has committed her life to supporting animals in need, focusing on senior, disabled, and chronically ill pets. Gail and I were able to connect recently, and she answers your questions about natural death and hospice for our pets, and how she got her start.
Would you mind introducing yourself and explain how you entered into your present role?
My name is Gail Pope and how I found myself as president and founder of BrightHaven Animal Sanctuary and Hospice is a long and winding story, but in a nutshell… My husband, two children, three dogs, and one cat arrived in America from the UK in 1986 after my husband’s company transfer. I was excited and yet still with a deep sense of “who am I and what am I going to do with my life?” Approaching 40, I had an amazing revelation one Monday morning whilst driving to work on the 405 Freeway in Southern California. I excitedly announced that I wanted to open our home to rescue senior cats and dogs…That is how it all began.
Two very important mentors appeared in quick succession. To learn how to best support our growing animal family I was lucky to acquire a job at a local veterinary hospital as receptionist and, upon learning of my mission, the owner, Dr. Douglas Coward took me under his wing. He became BrightHaven’s supervising veterinarian and taught me more than I can say about veterinary medicine. Next came the late Vicki Allinson to teach me about holistic care, mostly in the form of raw diet, classical veterinary homeopathy and very much more!
Soon BrightHaven evolved into a sanctuary for the old, ill or some with special needs. We’ve saved over 1,000 senior, disabled and chronically ill animals by giving them the gift of a loving and dignified home for life—however long or short that life may be. BrightHaven has also rescued and helped thousands more animals through our various programs.
This all started almost 30 years ago. Had I been told back then that my life would be dedicated to loving and caring for the old and sick and very different from a “normal” life, I would have likely run screaming “no!” Would I change this now if I could? Not for a moment. Beloved animals have taught me more than I ever could have imagined possible about living every stage of life well all the way through the last breath.
What is "natural death" and why is it important for pet owners to know about?
The words themselves sum up what it truly is and yet due to the evolution of our society natural death has become a somewhat unknown and undesired end to life for animal companions.
These days the concept of natural dying for many has changed from that of getting older and declining gently and inevitably towards life’s end and the eventual dying and then death processes. Animals and humans (beings) now struggle to achieve wellness and a healthy balance as toxicity levels build in the body due to environmental pollution, unhealthy dietary choices, sedentary lifestyles, side effects of pharmaceuticals and more.
As a result of these toxicities, beings approach end of life often struggling with a myriad of common ailments such as cancer, renal disease, diabetes, thyroid issues and heart disease, and for animals, euthanasia has thus become a well-accepted end of life for them—to “put them out of their misery."
Hospice care focuses on the lowering or discontinuation of drugs (other than for pain control) used in chronic illness so that Mother Nature can, perhaps more easily, follow her course.
I’ve found that holistic medicine, in particular homeopathy and Reiki, has proven to be an excellent way of addressing geriatric and end-of-life symptoms, thus allowing for a peaceful approach to the very natural process of dying.
A natural death is what we at BrightHaven have come to experience most of the time for our animals, who eat naturally, live healthily and are treated holistically. They do grow older. They do have certain chronic illnesses that are addressed holistically, enabling them to gently approach the end of their lives with a natural grace and dignity.
What's the biggest piece of advice you might give to a pet owner being faced with end-of-life decisions for their pet?
So many people are faced with a terminal diagnosis after a visit to the vet because “Fido” or “Fluffy” just didn’t seem to be doing well lately. They are faced with diagnoses such as cancer, advanced renal failure, diabetes, heart and lung issues and so on.
This is a very frightening time during which their veterinarian will discuss treatment options which may include surgery, drugs, dietary changes, a visit to a specialist for a second opinion, all of which can be terribly overwhelming.
Panic may set in about treatment cost or thought of the advancement of the illness, sometimes understandably resulting in a recommendation for euthanasia, which is very often the way chosen when fear or panic lead the way.
There is much to learn about end-of-life decisions for BEINGS and just as we would take time to consider and discuss the best path forward for our human beings, my best piece of advice would be to take your animal companion home (unless in a critical situation and unable to leave the vet hospital) and allow time to process all the information, perhaps consult an expert in the field of animal hospice care for advice, and above all take the time to breathe and let go of the fear, panic and grief that has surfaced.
What would you suggest for pet owners to consider if they are thinking of Natural Death as a choice for their pet?
There is much to contemplate, especially as this will be a big commitment in terms of physical as well as emotional and practical involvement. Also, religious and spiritual beliefs should be considered.
For hospice care to run smoothly a team approach is best used involving good all-around veterinary as well as other practitioners’ support, with pain meds on hand in case of need. It’s also most beneficial to be able to converse with someone (like me!) who is experienced in the natural dying process and can provide valuable guidance. There will be financial considerations as well as work and family obligations. Family members and friends may be asked to help by offering valuable respite time to the primary caregiver.
For BrightHaven this is always the chosen path, ALTHOUGH we enter the journey in the knowledge that if we feel it necessary, we will make the decision to euthanize at any stage prior to death.
Anything more that you would like to share with the readers?
Oh, yes please Adam, and this is regarding a subject near and dear to your own heart I know. That of pet loss, grief, fear, and healing.
My journey of living with, and loving deeply, many animals over a long period of time has taught me so much, or I should say the animals have taught me so much. They’ve shared their wisdom, mostly by demonstration, of easily being able to live in the moment, accept what “is” and practice kindness and compassion. When they grow old they simply accept their failing abilities or illness, slow their pace and adjust. Unlike us (for the most part) they do not view the dying process as something to be afraid of, or as a medical rather than social event, but accept the journey with dignity.
Most notably I’ve been shown a good way to die and a different way to grieve.
Many animals have taught me to grieve with them before death so that I’m then able to honor and celebrate their life after the death. I have many photographs of animals caring for other animals in the last weeks of life, as well as groups of animals surrounding a dying one by day and night. We have been greatly changed by seeing animals loving and comforting others before, as well as after death, and notice they most generally do not experience grief afterwards as they have said their farewells already. Of course, in sudden death, which happily is quite the stranger to BrightHaven, we are not given time in preparation; the shock and grief are huge and so time will be needed for understanding, acceptance and the healing of deep wounds.
It may seem a strange place to talk about healing, but not so for us at BrightHaven as we practice healing for the highest good of the being all the way through life and death. We truly believe that the more well balanced that body, mind and spirit are, the easier the dying process will be—and we’re shown that to be true by our animal guides.
For me now the period after one of my loved ones has passed has become a time of honor and celebration of the life lived. We honor our loved ones for a three-day period after their death at BrightHaven, laying them in a beautiful bed or basket, surrounded by their favorite things as well as flowers, candles and other memorabilia from our life together. It is a very special time.
As a footnote, we see some animals moving into hospice care, apparently nearing the end of their lives, who, after well-balanced holistic care and feeding and a lot of love, return to better health for a period of time; sometimes for years.
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Adam Clark, LSW, AASW is a published writer, educator, and adjunct professor at the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Social Work. Adam focuses his work on the psychology behind the human-animal bond, specializing in endings and transitions. He is passionate about reducing the cultural stigma associated with pet loss, supporting pet owners, and educating veterinary professionals. Additional information on Adam and his current projects can be found at www.lovelosstransition.com, or he can best be reached at adam@lovelosstransition.com.
