Assisting our Animal Companions with their Transition

by Lynn McKenzie
This topic is one which felt timely today after helping a number of clients with this sometimes gut wrenching but often loving gift we give our animal companions. When we share our lives and love with wonderful beings of the furred, feathered and finned variety there often comes a time when we feel their decline and know that their quality of life is waning, and that their suffering is increasing. Assisting them on their journey to the other side may become an inevitable option, yet many of us still wonder “am I doing the right thing”. That is something that only you can answer for yourself; some of you may have religious beliefs that do not agree with euthanasia and others may just not be able to think about it.

My litmus test for knowing whether it’s time or not, is to tune into the soul or spirit of the animal to see what they are feeling about the situation (this is a large part of my services). Many are very willing to have themselves freed from bodies that are no longer serving them, so they can run and jump like youngsters, in the ethers, and yet there are others who may prefer to make their transition naturally. My experience has been that often times our animal companions will work with our own personal belief systems when it comes to their crossing. If we do not believe in assisting them, they will accept that and adapt accordingly. To bring some comfort to those who have assisted their animal companions at the end, I have never spoken to a being on the other side who complained about what was ‘done to them’, in fact all of the animals on the other side seem to be in a wonderful, blissful state of happiness, in a place where they’re wanting for nothing. It’s us, those who are left behind, that tend to toil so much over it. Our grief for their loss can sometimes come in the form of denial that they were really ready for their transition, guilt for making the decision for them etc. Unfortunately, that is human nature.

Many times I am asked by a client if their animal companions will ever forgive them for their decision to help them transition and I want to assure all of you that they see it as the ultimate gift and the truest expression of love. Your animal companions, both here and on the other side are always in tune with your innermost feelings and intentions and ‘read’ them as the barometer for how you feel about them and what you intend for them. They can still access your thoughts and love even when on the other side so be sure to communicate with them and let them of how you feel.